Charity Appeal: Rebuilding after the Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone
Death is an inevitable consequence of life. For many of the Myanmar cyclone victims, death has taken people all too early - claiming children and wiping out entire families.
All that is left is the devastation. Of broken families. Of ruined buildings. Of starved and thirsty survivors clinging to life and all that is feeding them is not food nor water but simply the will to live.
From the rubble that is left Buddhist Essential Support Trust (BEST), a charity registered in the UK will help in the rebuilding process. BEST is already supporting Myanmar poor and rural areas by providing the essentials of food, shelter, robe and medicine to village monasteries and schools. We are extending our efforts to help the poor and rural areas where the cyclone has made its most devastating impact.
BEST will help rebuild these communities by supporting monasteries and schools through provision of the Four Essentials: food, medicine, clothing and shelter.
BEST will support projects involved in the repair or building of monasteries and schools. It is through monasteries and schools village life is centred and from which village communities derive much benefit.
BEST will also furnish schools and monasteries with books and materials to facilitate the learning of children and monks. For we realize that it is not enough to re-build buildings, we need to help people re-build their lives.
And Buddhist Essential Support Trust (BEST) will continue to provide the four essentials of food, medicine, clothing and shelter to Myanmar impoverished areas as we have done in the past.
You can help Myanmar villages devastated by the cyclone and help in the rebuilding process by making a donation to us. Please make cheques payable to Buddhist Essential Support Trust and send to:
Buddhist Essential Support Trust (BEST)
68 Bassett Gardens
Osterley
Middlesex
TW7 4QY
United Kingdom
UK tax payers can increase the value of their donation by as much as a third through Gift Aid. To do so, please click the Gift Aid button, complete the Word document and send with your donation.
Supporting Rural Communities in Myanmar
Preserving the noble teachings of the Buddha depends on establishing strong roots of Buddhism in the rural communities. Instead of building pagodas in already rich and prosperous areas, Buddhist Essential Support Trust (BEST), a charity registered in the UK focuses on supporting Buddhist practises and the teaching of Buddhism in the rural and poor communities where needs are also greatest.
In countries where Theravada Buddhism prevail, like Myanmar, village life revolves around the monastery. There, children from a young age learn about the Buddhas' teachings. Boys are ordained when they come of age and spend time at the monastery as novices practising Buddhism as well as learning 'Pali', and rules of 'vinaya' for their proper conduct as monks. In the rural areas Buddhism is deeply entrenched in the lives of the people of all ages and gender. People generously donate robes, food, medicine and shelter essential for a monk's survival. It is in these rural communities that Buddhism receives strongest expression.
However, due to the hardship of people in recent years, lay followers have been less able to support the monks (Sangha). Village monasteries are in need of much repair and fewer boys are entering monkhood.
Where there is plenty of water there is no need for rain but in areas where water is scarce let the rain of loving-kindness and generosity pour down.
Our Aim
To preserve and contribute to the flourishing of Buddhism in the rural communities.
Our Objectives
To provide the four essentials of food, shelter, robe and medicine to monks.
To give finanacial aid to projects for maintenance and repair of monasteries.
To support educational activities including those to enhance the learning of Pali.
Geographical Focus
Myanmar - Rural communities
May the teachings of the Lord Buddha prosper. We ask you to join us in this aim and share the merits of our effort.
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