We see over the past few years that there have been an increasing number of natural disasters around the world. Earlier this year we have seen earthquakes hitting Haiti, extensive floods in Pakistan, landslides in China and Ladakh, and now once again we have floods in Thailand and Malaysia, a Tsunami in Sumatra and a volcanic eruption in Java.
Responding to all these events that follow one upon the other is very challenging indeed, but we are all in this together – today we are working to relieve the plight of others, tomorrow, they may be working to help us. We need to remember in these difficult times that, as the Buddha said, we are all related to each other in this long journey in saṁsāra.
Following the floods in northern Thailand which first hit in Korat, where the new International Buddhist Campus is situated, Ven. Wei Wu, the founder of the International Buddhist College in Thailand and the Abbot of Than Hsiang temple in Penang has lauched an appeal to try to bring immediate relief to those most in need.
Working closely with local authorities on the spot the Klintiendharma Foundation has already distributed over 10 million baht’s worth of aid to victims trying to piece back their lives in Thailand. Now the push is on to try to reach out to all the communities that have been affected by these disasters, wherever they are.
Donors can help their humanitarian effort by purchasing Gold Guan Yin Medallions from the society. The target is to raise RM 300,000 to RM500,000 (US$ 99,000 to US$ 165,000) to help flood victims in Malaysia and Thailand and also tsunami and volcano victims in Indonesia.
Launching of the Guan In Gold Medallion will be held in the following places, and is open to the public for purchase:
12 Nov (Fri), 8pm at Kangar Buddhist Association
13 Nov (Sat), 3pm at Penang Sunshine Square
14 Nov (Sun), (awaiting KL confirmation) at The Mines Shopping Mall
15 Nov (Mon), Sungai Petani at Beng Siew Hall
These launches raised around RM 400,000 in all, and it is also now possible to buy the Medallions online: https://ibc.ac.th/en/dana
Please do see if you can help.

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the following is reproduced in main from the Buddhist Channel
with additions courtesy of Than Hsiang Temple
The north eastern provinces of Thailand have been experiencing very bad flooding recently. Pak Thong Chai town where the International Buddhist College (IBC) campus is situated was the first town to be hit by flood waters. The IBC campus itself was flooded, with the dinning hall under 7 feet of water.
The rain has stopped but the big cleanup has begun and will probably take weeks to do so. Many flood victims are in need of help and people from outside of Pak Thong Chai town are arriving daily to assist in the relief work.
IBC staff and students are participating in the relief work for the flood victims. Monks from Than Hsiang Buddhist organization have also joined the the staff and students yesterday morning delivering rice, drinking water and money to more than 100 poor families in a few villages not far from IBC campus.
The Klintiandharm (Than Hsiang) Foundation have provided 1,000,000 baht (US$ 33,000) for the relief work over the past one week. A local resident said that the last time Pak Thong Chai had floods was nearly twenty years ago and it was not as bad then as it was now.
The flood situation has apparently also worsened in the southern province of Songkla where the original IBC campus is located. As it is situated on high grounds and the campus is not affected by the floods there. However, Ven Zhen Yuan have been organizing some food deliveries to the flood victims there. Certain places were inundated up to 6 feet.
Photos from Thailand