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Screenshot from video on Malaysian interfaith COVID-relief, produced by Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia
In 2021 the Malaysian FPMT centers—Chokyi Gyaltsen Center, Losang Dragpa Centre, and Rinchen Jangsem Ling Retreat Centre—worked together with interfaith organizations to help with the COVID situation in India and Nepal, and then in Malaysia. Community service and interfaith activities are two pillars of FPMT’s Five Pillars of Service. Pek Chee Hen, president of the Vajrayana Buddhist Council Malaysia and a trustee of Losang Dragpa Centre, and Pik-Pin Goh, director of Losang Dragpa Centre and Kasih Hospice, shared the story of this work:
In early May 2021, when the sudden surge of COVID-19 patients hit India and Nepal, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) India reached out to IBC Malaysia, which led to a meeting with various Buddhist organizations of Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. The meeting discussed the process of donation and procurement of needed medical equipment, masks, and PPEs to be sent to India and Nepal.
The donation drive in Malaysia was named “Aids to the Buddha’s Land” and inspired Buddhists from the region to join hand-in-hand to gather as quickly as possible the equipment to save lives and protect the front liners. The Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia also assisted greatly in providing donations for this venture.
In total, IBC Malaysia arranged for the following donations to government hospitals in India and Nepal as well as to forty-four monasteries and nunneries in both these countries:
- 950 oxygen concentrators
- 2,000 oxygen cylinders
- 1.5 million gloves
- 58,000 N95 masks
- 2,000 PPEs
FPMT Malaysia centres, Rinchen Jangsem Ling (RJL) and Losang Dragpa Centre (LDC) respectively contributed eleven and ten oxygen concentrators to this sum, while Chokyi Gyaltsen Centre (CGC) donated RM2,000 (US$480) for purchase of masks and PPEs.
Soon after that, the fourth wave of COVID-19 hit Malaysia. With the experience of “Aids to the Buddha’s Homeland,” this group of Buddhist organizations re-convened in June 2021 and decided to do a similar fundraising effort for Malaysia coordinated with the efforts of Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia. This effort included Christian, Catholic, Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu groups as well as various Buddhists groups. A follow-up Zoom meeting (that is available to watch on YouTube) was organized for member organizations.
The aim was to raise funds to donate critical medical equipment such as ICU ventilation and respiratory monitoring devices, high-flow nasal cannulas, ICU beds, etc., needed for some of the healthcare facilities in Malaysia. The effort was named the “Malaysia Solidarity Fund Against COVID-19.” By October, RM 31,612,556 (US$7,600,000) had been raised and RM (USD$6,400,000) worth of equipment has been donated and committed to hospitals. (See Tzu Chi Foundation’s website for the most up to date numbers.)
This multi-faith cooperation has shown that when one has difficulties, help from all directions will come and together everyone achieves more.
We are proud that LDC members and resident teachers have contributed significantly to the Solidarity COVID Fund and fulfill the Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Vision for FPMT.
Watch a video report on the work of Malaysia Solidarity Fund Against COVID-19
Vajrayana Buddhist Council Malaysia recent shared a special video of light offerings, advice, and gratitude for the Malaysian Tibetan Buddhist organizations and students involved in offering aid and support during the pandemic and to benefit all during this difficult time.
You can learn more about the FPMT centers in Malaysia by visiting their respective websites.
FPMT.org and Mandala Publications brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings, and events from 150 FPMT centers, projects, and services around the globe. If you like what you read, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.