Elevation of the World's Consciousness Revealed through Tsunami Relief Work

On the morning of December 26, 2004, the Andaman coastal provinces of southern Thailand—Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi, Trang, Satun and Ranong—were struck by five to ten meter-high tsunamis that left tens of thousands of people dead, injured or missing. Bangkok initiates immediately formed a relief team to assess the scale of the disaster and conduct relief work in the devastated coastal villages of Phangnga Province, where many had lost their homes and families.

On December 28, the initiates traveled over seven hundred kilometers to Khao Lak, Takuapa district. Having brought cooking utensils and food, they were the first team to provide hot meals to the disaster victims and relief workers from other organizations. Each day, the sisters and brothers prepared four or five huge pots of food at the Wat Yan Yao School near the Takuapa District Hall, and delivered the meals in three teams to the local hospital, temple and District Hall. Many volunteers searching for dead bodies were delighted to have hot vegetarian food and felt happy to be spared the meat diet.

The next day, more initiates joined the team to distribute relief supplies including bread, cereal, jam, milk, oatmeal, glutinous rice in bamboo slips, sesame powder, undergarments, cushions, mats, napkins, pillows and tissue paper to the victims, along with words of consolation. Also, surgical gloves and masks to protect against infection were provided to relief organizations searching for bodies in the affected areas while working out of the Yan Yao and Bang Maung Temples. Through Master's infinite love and grace, the initiates found courage and inspiration, often working tirelessly until three or four in the morning and then beginning the next day's work after only a couple of hours" rest.

Then on December 30, a sister-initiate arrived in Wat Yan Yao with five laptop computers, three color laser printers and other computer equipment. And by the following morning, an efficient information center had been set up to help the relatives of the deceased identify their bodies. Digital images of the dead were taken after doctors had recorded the forensic details, and color photos were printed and posted on bulletin boards for identification by those searching for their loved ones. Some of the initiates joined the forensics team, taking pictures of the deceased during examinations, making identification labels, wrapping and burying bodies, and converting the forensic records into the same format to expedite database searching. In addition, on December 31, local initiates held a one-day retreat at the Bangkok Center to pray and meditate for the disaster victims.

Such a large area in Krabi was affected by the tsunamis that many non-initiate volunteers could not take care of their own basic needs because they had to travel far and wide to various communities. And when the initiates served them food, some of these workers who had practiced the spiritual path said they could perceive the Master power. Moreover, Mr. Somsak Kittidhrakul, an assistant to the Mayor of the Krabi Provincial Administrative Organization, expressed special thanks to The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for its unconditional service to the victims.

Many people had lost practically everything—family and property—in the catastrophe, but they transformed their grief into strength, joining in the volunteer work and rushing to offer assistance wherever it was needed. With compassion and concern, several volunteers drove around the affected areas to offer all possible assistance to the survivors. Relief organizations and volunteers working together showed genuine care and commitment in helping the victims. Thus the disciples witnessed an example of how the world's consciousness has been elevated at the start of the Golden Age and felt growing confidence in Master's immense power.

On January 3, members of the Thai relief team returned to Bangkok and experienced no fatigue or drowsiness because they had felt the love and blessings of Supreme Master Ching Hai all during their efforts. Through the tsunami relief project the Thai brothers and sisters shared Master's boundless love, experienced significant spiritual growth and learned lessons of inestimable value about caring and compassion for their fellow human beings.