Dharma Drum Mountain Supports Library and Retaining Wall Construction at Pei Ying School in Northern Thailand

Following the severe flooding that struck Pa Dang Village in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand, in 2024, Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association Thailand (DDMBA Thailand) and Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation have been actively engaged in post-disaster relief and recovery efforts. Their support has ranged from improving campus safety and educational resources to providing spiritual care, accompanying Pei Ying School and the local community throughout the recovery process. On July 28, the Foundation and the DDMBA Thailand celebrated the completion and inauguration of a new multifunctional library and retaining wall at Pei Ying School. Representatives from the local government, the school, and various sectors gathered to witness the milestone, marking the continuation of disaster relief into a long-term commitment to campus safety and the education of future generations.

Upon arriving at the school, Venerable Chang Yuan (常遠法師), Managing Director of the General Association of Dharma Supporters of Dharma Drum Mountain, Taiwan's Representative to Thailand, Peter Sha-li Lan (藍夏禮), and his wife, along with other distinguished guests, were warmly welcomed by students with lion dance performances and other cultural presentations. A group photo with students and faculty followed. Before the inauguration ceremony began, Venerable Chang Yuan conducted a blessing ceremony for the new multipurpose library, offering prayers that it would become a place where children could expand their knowledge and cultivate wisdom.

Returning to the auditorium, Principal Ching Tai-Ying (景泰英) expressed gratitude on behalf of the school's teachers, students, and the residents of Pa Dang Village. He thanked Dharma Drum Mountain for extending a helping hand when the school was most in need after the disaster. From post-flood cleanup and campus restoration to the construction of the retaining wall and the new library, Dharma Drum Mountain has stood by the school every step of the way as it was rebuilt. The principal noted that the retaining wall safeguards the safety of the students, while the multipurpose library represents hope for their future. Beyond infrastructure, Dharma Drum Mountain has also supported the community through Guanyin Dharma ceremonies, spiritual environmental education camps, and Chinese language programs, helping children and local residents regain confidence in the future.

Lin Chih-Tsung (林志璁), Executive Director of the Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation, then shared the achievements of the reconstruction project. He explained that the retaining wall was designed to strengthen campus safety and improve disaster resilience, while the multipurpose library provides students with a more comprehensive environment for reading and learning. One project protects lives, while the other nurtures hope—together embodying the Foundation's commitment to extending post-disaster care into long-term educational support, beginning with helping people regain peace of mind.

In his remarks, Taiwan's Representative to Thailand praised Pei Ying School and the residents of Pa Dang Village for their long-term unwavering dedication to promoting traditional Chinese education despite living in the remote mountainous region of northern Thailand. He was especially moved when the school's teachers and students opened the ceremony by singing the National Anthem of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The representative also expressed appreciation to the school's faculty, students, as well as to the entire village for their longstanding support of traditional Chinese language education, recognizing the importance they place on preserving Chinese culture and the deep friendships and exchanges that have developed over the years.

Venerable Chang Yuan also expressed his gratitude to Pei Ying School and the residents of Pa Dang Village for giving Dharma Drum Mountain the opportunity to participate in educational outreach and accompany children as they grow. He remarked that this meaningful partnership has allowed the organization to "cultivate fields of blessings and forge wholesome affinities" in the local community.

The ceremony concluded with heartfelt performances by Pei Ying School students, who sang the songs “Listen to Me Say Thank You” and “Light Up the Future” to express their gratitude to everyone who has supported the school along its journey. The school then presented certificates of appreciation to its supporters, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the library to officially open the new learning space. The inauguration was regarded as an important occasion for Pa Dang Village, with village leaders and residents working together in every aspect of the event—from preparation to welcoming guests—demonstrating the community's deep commitment to the education and future of its children.

The completion of the multipurpose library and retaining wall is more than an improvement to the school's facilities. It is also a concrete embodiment of Dharma Drum Mountain's vision: "To uplift the character of humanity and build a Pure Land on Earth." Going forward, the Foundation will continue working together with the DDMBA Thailand, Pei Ying School, and the local community to support children as they grow in a safe and nurturing environment, ensuring that knowledge and wisdom become the foundation for their future.




Original text in Chinese: 林志璁
Photos: Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation
Translation: Patricia Yang 
Editing: Keith Brown