Medan Lotus Light Charity Society Distributes Rice and Food to Disaster-Affected School for Chinese New Year
On January 31, 2025, at 11:00 AM, the Lotus Light Charity Society of Yuan Yue Tang Temple in Medan held a Chinese New Year food distribution event. The event was jointly led by Master Lian Tzi, who was invited to Yuan Yue Tang Temple to propagate the Dharma, and the temple’s abbot, Master Lian Zu.
The recipients of this distribution were a school located in the suburbs of Medan, Indonesia, which had recently been severely affected by flooding. Over twenty volunteers from the charity association transported 250 packages of dry food, including rice, rice cakes, eggs, cooking oil, and noodles, to the school using a large truck. The food was distributed to families of underprivileged students. The event was warmly welcomed by the school principal, teachers, parents, and students.
The principal shared with the masters the extent of the damage caused by the flood earlier in the year. The classrooms were submerged in water over one person deep, and the walls surrounding the playground were completely destroyed. The school is currently under reconstruction. Many students’ families were also affected by the flood, suffering significant losses. The timely delivery of food supplies by the Lotus Light Charity Society was like “sending charcoal in snowy weather,” and the principal expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the students.
Master Lian Tzi praised the principal for establishing the school in a remote area without government funding, relying entirely on community contributions. This effort to care for the local impoverished residents embodies the Buddhist spirit of compassion, joy, and selfless giving, akin to that of a Bodhisattva.
The principal also introduced the school’s current situation, noting that there are over 1,300 students, 30% of whom are of Chinese descent. Due to the long-term support and food distributions from the charity, many students and their families have taken refuge in Buddhism. A classroom in the school has even been converted into a Buddhist shrine. Last year, when Yuan Yue Tang Temple held a large Dharma event attended by 2,000 people, the school brought over 300 Chinese students and parents to support the event, fostering a positive connection with the True Buddha School.
According to Master Lian Zu, the abbot of Yuan Yue Tang Temple, the Lotus Light Charity Society of Yuan Yue Tang Temple was established over twenty years ago when Master Lian Tzi first came to Indonesia to propagate the Dharma. Since then, the charity has been actively involved in various community charity activities, continuing its work to this day. Master Lian Zu expressed deep gratitude, saying, “It was due to Master Lian Tzi’s planting the seed of good causes back then that we are able to reap the good fruits today. We are truly thankful to Master Lian Tzi!”
