The 2612 tsunami disaster, created a lot of hardship and suffering. Following the Than Hsiang Temple's conviction, this vast spiritual family, rallied to do their bit to provide donations, prayers, and relief to the victims of the tsunami. This article describes some of these experiences.

A The morning of the 26 th December 2004, was a bright and sunny post holiday just like so many other mornings before. The radios and TVs announced the undersea earthquake in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The people living around the Indian Ocean coastal areas paid little attention to what was happening. To them it was something so far away. Elsewhere those living in flats, condos and high raised buildings felt their buildings shook for a few seconds. Concerned about themselves, their love ones and their home, they started to find out what was happening.

That same fateful afternoon, a devastating tsunami swept through many regions along the coastal areas of the vast Indian Ocean. In a matter of seconds, high walls of splashing water were every where, pushing its way from the sea toward the land, taking with it every thing in its path. Homes were washed away, hundreds of thousands drowned, families were broken up and scattered, dreams destroyed and life turned into a nightmare in a matter of seconds for the still living affected victims.

True to the Than Hsiang's conviction for “the young to learn, the strong and healthy to serve, the aged and sick to be cared for, the departed to find spiritual destination”; all members of this vast spiritual family, young and old rallied to do their bit to provide donations, prayers, and relief to the victims of the tsunami. By our actions and commitments, we hope that it will bring some hope, patience and courage to the survivors to bear this irreparable loss.

The spiritual experience
Than Hsiang organized many religious and spiritual based activities in response to the tsunami disaster. Chanting and the transfer of merits to the departed were carried out on site at the tsunami affected areas.

Staff and supporters of Than Hsiang Temple and the International Buddhist College's students and lecturers, the chief monk Ven Chow Khun Dr. Phra Raj Siddhikun and supporters of Wat Boonyaram jointly made a compassion trip to the tsunami affected areas in Southern Thailand to provide spiritual, moral and financial support. Our main purpose of the project is to help those affected to rebuild their life.

The service experience
A fact finding team was sent into the affected areas to gather information and accurate facts on the damage done by the tsunami, identify the areas hit by the tsunami, evaluate how serious the situation is, study the victims' condition, the number of the family affected, how serious their conditions are, what are the damages and also to estimate their mental status. This team returned with a report on the various areas hit by the tsunami, namely Karbi, Phangnga Beach, Phuket, Ban Narm Khem and Ban Bang Muang. The result of the fact finding team helped in useful decision making for the tsunami relief. Than Hsiang Temple monks, nuns, staffs and volunteers rallied to raise funds for the tsunami victims. Various types of fund raising activities were organized. One such activity was the charity food sales at the temple. All proceeds from the sales of the canteen since 30 th December 2004 was also for the tsunami relief fund. To the end of January as much as RM 130,000.00.

The caring experience
Everyone who gets involved in the Than Hsiang tsunami activities, experienced a sense of caring. The posters, banners and notice boards filled with coloured pictures kept the visitors and volunteers well informed. The very involvement of donation giving, participations and prayers shows a sense of caring. Visitors at the food fair and canteen sales were far more than normal days. Those who came wanted a part of doing something for the tsunami victims. Even the turnout for the various prayers sessions was great. It is a wonderful sight to see the little kids from the Kindergarten, Day-care Centre and Buddhist Sunday School doing their share of concern. I wondered what went on in their little minds when they reach out to contribute their share? The Than Hsiang youths, young teenage volunteers, students and staffs were there serving and getting things organize. The more senior folks were at the back of the kitchen cutting vegetables and preparing vegetarian cakes and delicacies for the fund raising campaigns. For more than a month, discussions were on the tsunami issue and what can be done to ease the great burden of the victims, a healthy sign of a caring society.

The learning experience
It cannot be denied that there were also many good learning experiences. Many expressed their realization that death can be sudden and can happen at any time. Others decided that it was time to do what they really wanted to do, and not put it off any longer. It is sad to understand that so many had to suffer to bring about such learning experiences to the masses. The IBC or International Buddhist College students which were represented from various countries spoke of their observations, experiences and shared their conversation with some of the victims with the other members of the entourage using the bus public address system during the long journey back. If we take some time to ponder on the recent tsunami disaster and the scale of the damage, it is time to realize the need to strive to move closer towards trying to find the end of suffering for oneself and in the process help others too.