Venerable Korean Dharma Master and Buddhist activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (법륜스님) and volunteers from the Buddhist humanitarian organization JTS Korea, accompanied by a delegation from the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB), attended a July 18 official groundbreaking ceremony for two new buildings for a Buddhist orphanage in Kanchanaburi province, western Thailand.
The orphanage, run by the Dhammanulak Children's Foundation and Buddhist nun Maechee Chutipa, was the subject of a year-long project sponsored by JTS Korea to renovate and remodel the residential buildings for the 80 girls and boys of all ages under the care of the orphanage.
“It's a wonderful refuge for children without families who can look after them, but it's a real challenge for the nun who runs the orphanage: they have very little money and the facilities here are very rudimentary,” Rev. Pomnyun Sunim told BDG during the key handover ceremony. “When I learned about the conditions here, through INEB, I decided to help them.
“When I first visited the orphanage, I found that the buildings were rather dilapidated and not suitable for young children. So I made the decision to finance the renovation, because I wanted to see the quality of life of these children improve: better housing, better toilets, etc.
“I offered the foundation two options: renovate or completely rebuild? And Maechee Chutipa called for the renovation of the male and female dormitories. Although we initially envisioned this as a renovation project, as we progressed we discovered more and more areas in need of improvement, so we decided it would be more efficient to completely renovate the buildings here.
“JTS had originally anticipated a cost of around $50, but since we decided to make additional improvements, the project cost has increased to over $000, meaning we can also include facilities additional facilities, such as new private showers next to the female dormitories. »
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim founded the humanitarian organization Join Together Society (JTS) as an expression of the compassion of engaged Buddhism, and founded on the principle that helping others is the best way to enrich one's own life. Charged with bringing hope, empowerment and self-reliance to disadvantaged communities in developing countries, JTS is run and operated by unpaid volunteers, who ensure that all donations benefit marginalized communities. JTS carries out relief work in countries affected by humanitarian disasters and has engaged in humanitarian projects in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. JTS has also been granted special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The opening ceremony began with a colorful performance of traditional Thai music and dance by the resident children before the young novice nuns paid their respects to Venerable Pomnyun Sunim and guests with three prostrations and Theravada chants suttas.
Maechee Chutipa then gave a welcome speech in front of the newly renovated girls' dormitory:
“The children are very happy now that we have built new dormitories for them.
“The building you see in front of you was very old. When Venerable Pomnyun came last year and saw the condition of this building, he decided to support its renovation. So we renovated two buildings. This one is the girls' dormitory, which is almost finished. The boys' dormitory, which we will visit next, is already finished.
“Now that we have finished the dormitories, the children are very happy. This place used to be a large hall that everyone shared to sleep. However, Ven. Pomnyun suggested that we divide it into rooms because the children are growing up. So we created 11 rooms and we plan to accommodate three children in each of them.
“Today is the day we officially open this building and offer our thanks. I hope that the venerable monk and our honored guests will visit the building and give their blessing.
“Thanks to your blessings, children will be able to sleep in good beds today! »
Children and visitors shared a joyful morning of celebration and gratitude, accompanied by a special lunch prepared by Thailand-based members of the Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by Venerable Pomnyun Sunim.
Among the many young people who benefited from Maechee Chutipa's compassion, we met Nareerat, whom Maechee Chutipa discovered abandoned in the field when she was only eight months old. Today, after finding a loving home at the Dhammanulak Children's Foundation orphanage, Nareerat is a 25-year-old who works part-time while completing her studies at university.
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim is a well-respected Korean dharma teacher, author, and social activist. He has founded numerous organizations, initiatives and projects around the world, including: JTS Korea, an international humanitarian aid organization working to eradicate poverty and hunger; Jungto Society, a community of volunteers founded on the teachings of the Buddha and dedicated to solving modern social problems that lead to suffering; Ecobuddha, an organization focused on environmental ethics and sustainable living based on the teachings of the Buddha; and Good Friends, which promotes reconciliation and cooperation between North and South Korea, and provides humanitarian aid to North Koreans. Venerable Pomnyun Sunim also works closely with the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB).
In October 2020, the Niwano Peace Foundation in Japan awarded the 37th Niwano Peace Prize to Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in recognition of his international humanitarian work, intensive environmental and social activism, and tireless efforts to build trust and goodwill between communities of different faiths and cultures, with the aim of world peace.*
* Buddhist monk Ven. Pomnyun Sunim receives the 37th Niwano Peace Prize (BDG)
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The article Engaged Buddhism: Venerable Pomnyun Sunim inaugurates renovated orphanage in Thailand appeared first on Buddhist News Global.
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