Local Buddhists among those studying creation of relief organization

With 750 million followers worldwide, Buddhist leaders will gather next week in Sri Lanka to consider creating an international relief organization similar to the Red Cross/Red Crescent.

The Southeast Asia Tsunami disaster in December 2004 devastated thousands of the Buddhist faith. And made those like the Rev. Ho Bang Dhammaruchi of Mid-Missouri consider more efficient ways to share their offerings.

In Jefferson City, the Vipassana Buddhist Church regularly donates its amisa dana, or its practice of giving, through the Samaritan Center.

But beyond the local aid to those in need, Dhammaruchi said Budhhists should organize to meet the needs of others on a larger scale.

Buddhist leaders had seen a growing need for a relief organization, but the Southeast Asia Tsunami was the spark to take the next step, Dhammaruchi said.

Several Buddhist relief organizations exist, the most well-known being the Tzu Chi, Dhammaruchi said.

Tzu Chi is based internationally in Taiwan, started by Venerable Cheng Yen, a Buddhist nun. But the organization also has a presence in the U.S., including action in Florida's September hurricanes.

The stronger international coalition should be easier to put together with Tzu Chi's help, Dhammaruchi said.

The proposed Buddhist international relief organization would not be directly tied to the Red Cross/Red Crescent organization.

"It would follow the model, but probably be just a global grassroots organization," Dhammaruchi said. "We're fortunate the Tzu Chi already has the infrastructure."

While in Monrovia, Calif., where the national headquarters of Tzu Chi is located, Dhammaruchi became familiar with the Buddhist relief organization.

So when the local church began its amisa dana, Dhammaruchi explored supporting the Missouri Tzu Chi.

"But with the needs of Jefferson City and Cole County, it would not have the same impact of helping as giving to the Samaritan Center," Dhammaruchi said.

The practice of amisa dana typically remains local, as with Vipassana supporting the Samaritan Center.

Traditionally, few Buddhist relief organizations have been formed because followers "tend to give to the easiest avenue, to get what's needed to those who need it," Dhammaruchi said.

The creation of an international relief organization would not change the giving patterns of the Jefferson City congregation, Dhammaruchi said.

"We'll stick with groups here -- The Salvation Army, the Samaritan Center and the (Central Missouri) Food Bank are the way to go," Dhammaruchi said. "It's good to give to those closest to the people who need it."

In the meantime, members of the local church have been promoting a partnership idea with Tsunami-devastated communities and Jefferson City.

If this city would adopt one sister city in Sri Lanka, local people could give directly to the rebuilding of a specific community, Dhammaruchi explained.

The impact could be tremendous if other U.S. cities would do likewise, he said. He will promote the one-on-one partnership concept at the conference, as well.

"This could help us with international understanding and maybe build lifelong friendships," he said.

For the last two years, Dhammaruchi has served as a director for the Bosath Children's Educational Fund in Sri Lanka. On March 25, a building for the after-school program will be dedicated, he said.

The goal of the March 19-20 conference will be to network, Dhammaruchi said.

Dhammaruchi hopes to bring an American-Buddhist perspective to the conference.

"Networking is something Americans do real well," Dhammaruchi said. "You definitely have to have the right hand talking to the left if you're going to do it right."

But the Buddhist leaders also will discuss the possible misappropriation of fund to the Tsunami relief. The Sri Lankan government reported only about 5 percent of the money from non-governmental organizations may have gone to actual relief work, Dhammaruchi said.

"That's a bad situation," he said. "When you've got people giving right straight out of their heart.

"It's insult to injury if the funds were misused or stolen."

Buddhist monks threw open their doors to whoever needed food, shelter and care for kids in the aftermath, Dhammaruchi said.

"Taking care of your own, really drove the point home with the Tsunami," Dhammaruchi said. "This was overdue."

A couple hundred Buddhist leaders are expected to attend the conference in the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka. If all goes well, a relief organization will go forward, Dhammaruchi said.

The relief organization would primarily create a volunteer infrastructure and a funnel for funding, Dhammaruchi speculated.

"Clara Barton started the Red Cross during the American Civil War," Dhammaruchi said. "Sometimes it takes a disaster like the American Civil War or a Tsunami to get people motivated and realize in the greater picture we're about the size of ants.

"If we don't take care of each other, who will?"

mreagan@newstribune.com