2. Extensive Range of Services

The SMCHIA has done a wide range of voluntary social service work, which falls into the following categories:

(I) Emergency Disaster Relief

The SMCHIA in Formosa contributed large quantities of relief supplies to quake-stricken victims in Turkey. The contribution ceremony was hosted by Mr. Ou Hung-lien (middle), deputy minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with Mr. Teoman Surenkok (right), representative of the Turkish Trade Office in Taipei receiving the contribution on behalf of the victims.

In past decades, The SMCHIA has rendered help to those suffering from natural disasters in many parts of the world; for example, the volcanic eruption in the Philippines, the drought in northern Thailand, the floods in southern Thailand, Cambodia, Au Lac, the Middle-west and other states of the USA and Mainland China, the ice storm in Canada and the earthquakes in Kobe, Japan, Turkey, and Formosa, to mention just a few. As soon as a natural disaster strikes, members of The SMCHIA deliver relief supplies, money, medicine, and medical personnel to the disaster-stricken area in the shortest time possible, until they have accomplished their mission of disaster relief and care for victims in regard to body, mind and soul. Or they may make monetary contributions through other charitable organizations to support their relief work.

(II) Helping the Needy

The SMCHIA gives regular aid to destitute households, with relief funds being delivered monthly to the homes of the needy. In addition, its members often visit orphanages, old folks' homes, etc. to provide material and spiritual comfort. Sometimes they seek out vagrants wandering the streets and provide them with basic necessities, such as sleeping bags, blankets, overcoats, underwear and food to help them through the cold winter.

(III) Concern for the Imprisoned

The Supreme Master Ching Hai has constantly shown deep concern for inmates in jails and prisons. It is Her belief that many people locked in prisons comprise a group of the earth's cleverest people, however they have no way to make use of their abilities and intelligence, and their power is not utilized in the right way. Therefore, they are driven by circumstances to become "fallen angels." If their power were directed the other way around toward spiritual practice and benefiting society, their achievements and contributions would be immeasurable.

In 1989, Supreme Master Ching Hai paid a personal visit to the prisoners confined in I-lan and Hualien Prisons. Also, The SMCHIA in various countries often visits local prisons and teaches prisoners a simple method of meditation to help them attain peace of mind. The Association in Formosa has conducted hundreds of spiritual seminars in prisons throughout the island and the outlying islands of Penghu, Kinmen, and Green Island. From the following example, only one of many, it is obvious that these seminars have had an enormous effect in edifying the prisoners.

A prisoner with the surname of Liau, who had committed major crimes, was sentenced to serve a long term in at the Tainan Prison. In 1991, when members of The SMCHIA visited the Prison, he came to learn about Master's lecture on the value of life, was deeply moved and hence became a vegetarian. Furthermore, he learned how to meditate, became amiable and benevolent, gave up smoking and drinking, and never carried any contraband in prison. He thoroughly obeyed the Prison authorities, and made good use of his skills in plumbing, which won him commendations from the warden. Because of his excellent record, he was released from Prison after thirteen years of imprisonment, and works in society again. After coming back to the normal world, he has strictly observed the precepts of spiritual practice, abided by the law, worked hard as an honest citizen, and earnestly devoted himself to volunteer work.

(IV) Free Medical Services

The SMCHIA has frequently held free medical consultations in many areas of Formosa, including remote aboriginal villages in Taitung, Wanluang Hsiang in Pintung, Miaoli City and Hsihu Hsiang in Miaoli, and Green Island. Many times, as invited by the Sports Committee of the Executive Yuan, they also have provided free medical consultations and emergency medical services at the Thousand Person Hike and other activities.

The SMCHIA free medical service team consists of medical professionals, including traditional Chinese medical doctors, Western medical doctors, clinical laboratory specialists, and nurses. In applying western medicine, blood testing equipment, urine testing strips, an electrocardiograph, an abdominal ultra-sound scanner, professional eye-examination instruments used by ophthalmic experts and portable dental equipment prepared by dentists, the team's services include medical consultations, medical education, and illness examination and sorting.

(V) Environmental Protection and Beautification

Years ago, Supreme Master Ching Hai instructed Her disciples to engage in protecting and beautifying the environment and in restoring the beauty of nature. Thus, over the past several years, members of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association have spent Sundays and holidays in restoring and cleaning up the environment, planting trees, cleaning up mountains and rivers, freeways, parks, and the coast, and clearing garbage deposited on the sea bottom. The SMCHIA in Formosa was given a certificate of gratitude by the Environmental Protection Administration of the Executive Yuan. As the Magistrate Yang Hsiu-hsia of Hsihu Hsiang said, "The SMCHIA in Formosa has adopted highway 28 in this county and made it so clean that there is not even a single piece of trash on it. What is more, they have come with their own vehicles and sorted and disposed of the garbage in a better way than we could ever have conceived of." (Note 12)

(VI) Concern and Help for Asylum Seekers

Supreme Master Ching Hai has long made the utmost efforts in giving relief to asylum seekers around the world. She has been to refugee camps in Hong Kong and the Philippines to visit Aulacese asylum seekers, contributed large quantities of supplies to refugees in various countries, and stood up for their human rights. She also has contributed Her help through organizations like the Red Cross to war-stricken and famine-stricken refugees in Rwanda, Chechnya, Sudan, and Kosovo.