Encouraging Myanmar on－Dharma Drum Mountain Participate in the 328 Earthquake First Anniversary Blessing Service

On March 28, 4 p.m., Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation Secretary General Ven. Chang Xing (常惺法師) arrived at the Lay Kyun Man Aung Pagoda in the ancient city of Sagaing on the first anniversary of the major earthquake to attend the "Myanmar 328 Earthquake almsgiving to the Sangha Memorial Service". This Dharma service was organized by the Chinese Buddhist Association of Myanmar, who cordially invited 522 Chinese and Theravada Buddhism monks and nuns to chant scriptures together, transfer merits to the deceased victims to be reborn in fortunate realms, give blessings to the survivors, and pray for peace and prosperity to the world.

The memorial service respectfully invited 10 Sagaing local Senior Elders and more than 500 monks and nuns of Theravada Buddhism to recite the Paritta to pray for blessings. Chinese Buddhism Ven. Chong Fa (從法法師), honorary recipient of the Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja awarded by the Myanmar government--together with Chinese Buddhist Association of Myanmar Vice Director Ven. Wei Kang (惟康法師) and DDM Ven. Chang Xing--chanted the Mantra of Great Compassion, Ten Short Mantras and Heart Sutra. 24 students of the Buddhist Institute of Dabin Chan Temple at Guanyin Mountain, Yangon, also participated in this event, signifying the planting of Chinese Buddhism roots in the education of the young Sangha in Myanmar. Through the vows and practices of benefiting others, this event deeply implanted the seeds of Buddhadharma into the minds of people.

In his speech, Ven. Chang Xing pointed out that DDM Founder Master Sheng Yen actively participated in the international disaster relief operations for the 2001 South Asia tsunami, 2008 Myanmar Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Nargis and Sichuan major earthquake in China. In the aftermath of the 2025 Myanmar major earthquake, DDM was the first Taiwanese disaster relief organization to arrive in Myanmar. "Last year, when I first arrived here, I saw that, despite the severe damages sustained by the local temples and monasteries, their doors remained wide open to shelter and care for the disaster victims. Their great compassion was truly admirable. Our blessings to Myanmar for a speedy recovery. May the True Dharma abide for long, and may there be peace in the world."

The Chinese Buddhist Sagha Association of Myanmar, while upholding the association's original mission of supporting the Sangha and cultivating merit, presented all 522 participant sangha members with the "four basic requisites". These include offerings of cash, Buddhist robes, medicine and remedies to the 10 Senior Elders, cash and medical supplies for 500 nuns.

The event was held on the original ruins site of the pagoda collapsed by the earthquake. On this first anniversary, both the sangha of Chinese and Theravada Buddhism recited and chanted scriptures with compassion, praying for peace to both the living and deceased. May the true Dharma abide for long in Myanmar, wars cease between countries, and people live in health and prosperity, to welcome a bright future filled with hope.




◎ Original text in Chinese: 梁金滿
◎ Photos: Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation
◎ Translation: Cheng-yu Chang (張振郁)
◎​ Editing: Keith Brown, Patricia Yang