Post-Disaster Despair is Transformed into Hope

By the Ohio News Group (Originally in English)

The loss and destruction caused by the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami has had profound physical and emotional effects on countless human beings. But remarkable stories of selfless behavior and love have also emerged from the disaster.

For example, many people reacted to the tsunami with divinely inspired intelligence, saving not only their own lives but those of many others as well. In one case, on the morning of December 26 a Sri Lankan pastor with an orphanage in his home heard his wife's distressed calls. And after seeing the large wave approaching, he managed to escort 28 children onto his small motor boat in less than 30 seconds. Knowing that the boat's engine seldom started on the first try, the pastor prayed fervently to God, and miraculously, the motor roared to life after just one pull of its rope. The pastor and his assistant then steered the boat through the dangerously large waves, eventually bringing all the children to safety.
(Please refer to Here )

Another Sri Lankan man was able to warn people of the tsunami even before the waves hit. The man had a lifelong love of reading and loved to learn. In fact, his mother often scolded him because she felt that his reading was a form of laziness. But this so-called bad habit turned out to be lifesaving on the morning of December 26 when he saw an approaching ferry boat bobbing erratically on the water. Although there were no large waves in sight, something about the boat didn't look right, and suddenly he recalled reading that this phenomenon is a sign of an impending tsunami. The man then turned to run, shouting as loudly as possible for people to follow. Afterwards, many expressed their gratitude for his quick action that saved their lives.

Perhaps some of the most miraculous stories about the disaster involve the longstanding civil conflicts in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, where opposing factions that had long been at war suddenly put down their arms and united in the common goal of healing and rebuilding their nations. In Sri Lanka, the revolutionary group the Tamil Tigers began working side by side with government officials for the first time in several years. (Please refer to Sri Lanka "Moment of Peace")  And in the Aceh region of Indonesia, rebel groups similarly ordered a cease-fire against the military so that they could work together. (Please refer to Indonesia cease fire )

Also, organizations already known for their charity work opened their arms further to embrace displaced individuals and families. For instance, Sarvodaya, a Sri Lankan group that sponsored orphaned children before the tsunami decided to extend its mission further: "Sarvodaya has pledged to take in and provide for all children aged 11 and below who have been orphaned by the tsunami. In addition Sarvodaya will care for all women and girls below the age of 19. We have already begun drafting plans to build permanent housing and school facilities." (Please refer to: http://www.sarvodaya.org/)

Moreover, a Malaysian man was rescued unharmed after being separated from his friends by the tsunami and spending two weeks alone at sea, praying constantly. As he said, "I prayed and prayed. I told God, ‘I don't want to die.'" (Please refer to: Here )

In a refugee camp on an island off the Indian coast, the story of a priest and a blind man helped other survivors find hope. After  they were swept away in the tsunami, the blind man followed the priest's voice and both climbed trees to avoid drowning. As the waters began to recede, the priest used wood debris to build small bridges so that survivors could walk to higher ground. He took the hand of the blind man first and led him to safety. The blind man later said that the experience gave him new strength and that he was no longer despairing or feeling helpless about being blind.

And the priest, in response to questions about why God would send such devastation to humanity, said that he thought God could never be angry with us no matter what religion we belong to. "This is a test," he added. (Please refer to: Here)

Finally, a journalist in Canada expressed a different but ultimately positive view by saying that the tsunami was part of a positive trend in global attitudes and events. For instance, one outcome has been an  outpouring of money from around the world, with people being more inspired to contribute financially because they view their donations as having a real purpose rather than simply being used to prop up ailing economies. Also, recent first-time free elections in countries such as Indonesia, Afghanistan, the Ukraine and Palestine signify a worldwide rise in democracy. As a trend that balances  differences, this movement is the political equivalent of a positive tsunami wave: Out of horror  hope has arisen. (Please refer to: Here)

It is clear that without Supreme Master Ching Hai's ongoing work and intercession on behalf of all beings, the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster could have been far worse, and that the souls who have departed now rest in Her infinite care. Seeing the faith inspired in so many people despite the event's tragic nature  further affirms the positive direction of humankind Master speaks of: "We can improve it here until everyone else wants to improve themselves. We can keep it going until everyone else awakens enough to get enlightened." (Excerpt from DVD #730 To Communicate by Love)

May the purity of our thoughts and actions support the continued illumination of the world so that all may cross the threshold into the Golden Age.

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Post-Disaster Despair is Transformed into Hope

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