Apr 03

Hope floats: tsunami dog found after drifting in ocean for 3 weeks

By Compassion
A fishy tale: It seems almost too good to be true, but this little dog seems to have survived against all odds and was discovered by coastguards floating on a raft at sea

A fishy tale: It seems almost too good to be true, but this little dog seems to have survived against all odds and was discovered by coastguards floating on a raft at sea

It appears almost too good to be true, but this little dog has been found alive and well adrift at sea, an astonishing three weeks after the tsunami that devastated Japan.

Members of the Japan Coast Guard came across the dog on Friday as they were conducting an aerial search of the area.

Local television showed pictures of the dog scampering around the roof of the house before it disappeared inside through a hole in the roof.

Rescuers had hoped to find more tsunami survivors living inside the house but after tearing the roof open, it was found to be empty apart from the dog.

Despite its three weeks at sea, the medium-sized brown dog seemed to be in reasonably good condition considering its ordeal.

The discovery of the dog is a rare glimmer of hope in Japan where thousands of people are believed to have perished in the disaster.

The nation is now gripped by the ongoing nuclear threat posed by the unstable Fukushima plant as workers continue to battle to restore vital cooling systems damaged by the quake.

Against all odds: The dog appears to have survived by clinging to a house that had been swept away by the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck on March 11

Against all odds: The dog appears to have survived by clinging to a house that had been swept away by the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck on March 11

Safe and hound: A member of the Japan Coast Guard comforts the dog that seems to have survived an amazing three weeks at sea following the devastating tsunami

Safe and hound: A member of the Japan Coast Guard comforts the dog that seems to have survived an amazing three weeks at sea following the devastating tsunami

[source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1372506/Safe-hound-Dog-alive-Japan-THREE-WEEKS-tsunami.html#ixzz1IJLTojDe]
Facebook Comments
Mar 28

地震之后

By Compassion
Japan earthquake victims (photo: www.news.com.au)

Japan earthquake victims (photo: www.news.com.au)

我像一个等着看好戏的观众，看着海啸前进的片段。

长长的地震摇晃后，我按捺着颤抖的手，抓起电视遥控器。老公每次地震后都那么做。我们母子三人躲到桌子下，余震强烈，电视屏幕闪着海啸警报。东京湾的船只匆匆往岸边驶，海岸线升高，向陆地蔓延，几十分钟后，海水慢慢侵袭陆地，掩盖道路，缓缓往房子去。我像旁观者，情绪高亢，却没有多少恐慌，这一切对我来说很新鲜。或许是角度问题，从天空鸟瞰，海浪看起来那么温柔优雅，又或许，我比较愿意袖手旁观，因为这里不是我的国家。

当然那时谁都没想到情况会这么恶劣。

两天后，我发现自己身在挤满顾客的超市里。地震、海啸、停电和核漏，人们开始惊慌，大量采购。我也跟着紧张，女儿的牛奶最重要。于是惶惶跑向冷藏区，差点撞上一个老人，我闪了一下，继续往前小跑，然后把购物车装得满满，安心结帐去。我排入队伍，开始环视周围，却发现没有人推挤，没有人急得跑着抢货，人人虽然神色匆忙，却还有秩序有自律。

Japan earthquake victims (web photo)

Japan earthquake victims (web photo)

我站着，双颊发烫，实在羞愧。

然后我开始发觉自己已被卷入这场灾害，不再是一个旁观者。

灾害没有停止，汽油短缺，辐射物质泄漏，人心惶惶。我继续每天往超市钻，扛回罐头、水、干粮、厕纸、蜡烛等，几天下来，家里堆满了备用品。

直到我读到这样一则短讯：

“不要大量采购。这些东西可能是要送上东北区。我们还有三餐美味，灾区的灾民一天只有一个饭团。”

消息可能不确实，我却确确实实看到了自己的私欲与邪恶。

如果还有什么能让我更羞耻，那便是打开电视。灾区的女人在破残且空无一物的便利店里为孩子买到几个没被水冲走的零食，她对着镜头说：“能买到这些太感谢了，深僻的地方还有许多被困着的人们，请你们救救他们。”她转身拭擦眼角的泪水。

许多灾民在镜头前说他们的感受，“有这些食物，已经很感恩了”，“这种情形也是没有法子的”，“这样更要加油”。

怎么都没有抱怨？

我明白了，这大概就是彻底的团体精神。一个国家，一个人民，一个思想。

我不得不重新计量住了8年的地方，我重新认识自己以为很了解的大和民族。

原本一个骇人的灾难，却让我看到了一个勇敢美丽的民族，一个强稳的社会结构，还有一个丑陋自私的我。

晚上，我拿起一个红豆馒头，想扔进垃圾桶，却犹豫了一下。我最不喜欢这东西，平常家婆送来，我随手就丢了。但是今晚，我重新放回冰箱。为了灾区的人民，我会珍惜食物。

[文：虎子（寄自日本），刊登于星洲日报副刊]
Facebook Comments
Mar 28

Second donation for Japan quake relief to Tzu-Chi

By Involvement
juesatta awakening foundation logo (draft)

juesatta awakening foundation logo (draft)

Thank you friends for your kindness. We’ve made a second donation of RM400.00 to Taiwan Buddhist Tzu-Chi Foundation Malaysia.

After the 8.9 quake and subsequent tsunami, the people of Japan are short of many things, such as petrol and food. The members of Tzu-Chi will overcome all kinds of hurdles and deliver hot food into the hands of those in difficulty. The money donated will be used entirely for emergency relief and for long-term construction as Japan clears the rubble and prepares to rebuild.

Thank you and may we keep Japan in our prayers. We will make third trasnfer soon and friends who are wishing to donate, kindly contact us.

May all beings be happy.

Members of the international non-profit organisation, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, bow their heads as they collect donations in Sydney (photo: AFP)

Members of the international non-profit organisation, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, bow their heads as they collect donations in Sydney (photo: AFP)

Young and old, volunteers prepares the relief goods to ship to Japan. (Photo by Chien Shi-si; date: 03/13/2011; location: Jing Si Abode, Hualien, Taiwan)

Young and old, volunteers prepares the relief goods to ship to Japan. (Photo by Chien Shi-si; date: 03/13/2011; location: Jing Si Abode, Hualien, Taiwan)

The residents and volunteers pray together. (Photo by Chen Wei-chun; date: 03/16/2011; location: Oarai, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan)

The residents and volunteers pray together. (Photo by Chen Wei-chun; date: 03/16/2011; location: Oarai, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan)

Tzu Chi volunteers provide hot meals for the second day. (Photo by Hsiao Chi-jen; date: 03/17/2011; location: Oarai, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan)

Tzu Chi volunteers provide hot meals for the second day. (Photo by Hsiao Chi-jen; date: 03/17/2011; location: Oarai, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan)

Facebook Comments
Mar 26

We support earth hour 2011

By Involvement
Earth hour 2011

Earth hour 2011

Kuala Lumpur, 21st February 2011 – Earth Hour 2011 on 26th March prepares to showcase a growing global community committed to taking environmental actions that go beyond the hour. From now until Earth Hour 2012, WWF-Malaysia is urging everyone across the nation to take Earth Hour beyond the hour by signing up at wwf.org.my and pledging to “Live Green: One switch at a time.”

Each month, a simple action towards a more sustainable lifestyle will be highlighted at wwf.org.my. For example, individuals can pledge to switch off their TV and computer, instead of leaving these in standby mode.

“WWF-Malaysia hopes that Malaysians will join the global community this Earth Hour to take action that goes beyond the hour. It is easy to “Live Green: One switch at a time”, and the more people who make this pledge, the more powerful our efforts to protect our living planet become,” said WWF-Malaysia Executive Director/CEO Dato’ Dr Dionysius Sharma.

Two photos show Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers before, left, and after being turned off its lights to mark Earth Hour in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (image from www.syracuse.com)

Two photos show Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers before, left, and after being turned off its lights to mark Earth Hour in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (image from www.syracuse.com)

From its inception as a single-city initiative in 2007, Earth Hour has grown into a global movement where hundreds of millions of people from every continent join together to acknowledge the importance of protecting our planet.

Earth Hour 2011 will ask Malaysians to:

•  Switch off your lights for Earth Hour at 8.30pm, Saturday 26 March 2011 and celebrate your commitment to the planet with the people of the world

•  Sign up at wwf.org.my and pledge to “Live Green: One switch at a time.”

•  Sustain your actions beyond the hour

Earth Hour 2010 was the largest voluntary action for the environment in history with lights going out across 128 countries and over 4,500 cities worldwide. Earth Hour 2011 will again see hundreds of millions of people across all continents come together to celebrate an unambiguous commitment to the planet by switching off their lights for one designated hour.

The countdown to Earth Hour 2011 has begun, the iconic “lights out” event that has seen some of the world’s most recognized landmarks, including the KLCC Twin Towers, KL Tower, Forbidden City, Eiffel Tower, Buckingham Palace, Golden Gate Bridge, Table Mountain, Christ the Redeemer statue and Sydney Opera House switch off in a global celebration of the one thing that unites us all – the planet.

[source: http://wwf.org.my/?12220/Earth-Hour-2011-Growing-Beyond-the-Hour-Pledge-to-Live-Green]
Facebook Comments
Mar 25

月到天心

By Photography, Wisdom
望月

望月

二十多年前的乡下没有路灯，夜里穿过田野要回到家里，差不多是摸黑的，平常时日，都是借着微明的天光，摸索着回家。

偶尔有星星，就亮了很多，感觉到心里也有星星的光明。

如果是有月亮的时候，心里就整个沉淀下来，丝毫没有了黑夜的恐惧。在南台湾，尤其是夏夜，月亮的光格外有辉煌的光明，能使整条山路都清清楚楚地延展出来。

乡下的月光是很难形容的，它不像太阳的投影是从外面来，它的光明犹如从草树、从街路、从花叶，乃至从屋檐下、墙垣内部微微地渗出，有时会误以为万事万物的本身有着自在的光明。假如夜深有雾，到处都弥漫着清气，当萤火虫成群飞过，仿佛是月光所掉落出来的精灵。

每一种月光下的事物都有了光明，真是好！

更好的是，在月光底下，我们也觉得自己心里有着月亮、有着光明，那光明虽不如阳光温暖，却是清凉的，从头顶的发到脚尖的指甲都感受月的清凉。

走一段路，抬起头来，月亮总是跟着我们，照着我们。在童年的岁月里，我们心目中的月亮有一种亲切的生命，就如同有人提灯为我们引路一样。我们在路上，月在路上；我们在山顶，月在山顶；我们在江边，月在江中；我们回到家里，月正好在家屋门前。

直到如今，童年看月的景象，以及月光下的乡村都还历历如绘。但对于月之随人却带着一丝迷思，月亮永远跟随我们，到底是错觉还是真实的呢？可以说它既是错觉，也是真实。由于我们知道月亮只有一个，人人却都认为月亮跟随自己，这是错觉；但当月亮伴随我们时，我们感觉到月是唯一的，只为我照耀，这是真实。

长大以后才知道，真正的事实是，每一个人心中有一片月，它是独一无二、光明湛然的，当月亮照耀我们时，它反映着月光，感觉天上的月也是心中的月。在这个世界上 ，每个人心里都有月亮埋藏，只是自己不知罢了。只有极少数的人，在最黑暗的时刻，仍然放散月的光明，那是知觉到自己就是月亮的人。

. . . . . . 从前读过许多诵月的诗，有一些颇能说出“心中之月”的境界，例如王阳明的《蔽月山房》：

山近月远觉月小，便道此山大于月；
若人有眼大如天，当见山高月更阔。

确实，如果我们能把心眼放开到天一样大，月不就在其中吗？只是一般人心眼小，看起来山就大于月亮了。还有一首是宋朝理学家邵雍写的《清夜吟》：

月到天心处，风来水面时；
一般清意味，料得少人知。

月到天心、风来水面，都有着清凉明净的意味，只有微细的心情才能体会，一般人是不能知道的。

我们看月，如果只看到天上之月，没有见到心灵之月，则月亮只是极短暂的偶遇，哪里谈得上什么永恒之美呢？

所以回到自己，让自己光明吧！

[文：林清玄]
Facebook Comments
Mar 22

First transfer of donation for Japan quake relief to IFRC

By Involvement
juesatta awakening foundation logo (draft)

juesatta awakening foundation logo (draft)

Thank you friends for your support, we have made our first transfer of USD 150.00 donation to International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for Japan quake relief.

Our donation will support the rescue works in Japan. And, we must give a deep bow of immense gratitude to all the volunteers’ efforts to respond to the emergency relief. There are many rescue workers or emergency workers risk their lives and some even sacrificed themselves! Many stories of heroism are reported such as one as reported by Japanese journalist Chie Matsumoto:

“People received the warning through the city speakers that are set up outside. They heard, ‘A big tsunami is coming. You need to evacuate.’ Shortly after, they heard, ‘Run!’

“The announcement was cut off and the people never heard from the speakers, or the people who announced it, again. The few people assigned to announce it were at the disaster prevention center, and they went missing.

“They sacrificed their lives to send everyone else to a safer place. They gave priority to others’ safety. The disaster prevention center is now under the mud brought on by the tsunami.”

Although we are not on the ground to help like them nor to be like them, we can still send out our prayers to give them (both rescuers and victims) hope and strength in the face of this terrible catastrophe.

Thank you again and we will soon to make a second transfer. Friends who wish to contribute, kindly contact us. Sharing some photos taken from Red Cross flickr:

Those who have suffered near drowning are wrapped in blankets and then plastic sheeting to keep them both warm ad dry before being transported to Ishinomaki Red Cross hospital for treatment. (Photograph: Toshirharu Kato, Japanese Red Cross)

Those who have suffered near drowning are wrapped in blankets and then plastic sheeting to keep them both warm ad dry before being transported to Ishinomaki Red Cross hospital for treatment. (Photograph: Toshirharu Kato, Japanese Red Cross)

For some of the youngest patients, who may be particularly vulnerable, special care must be provided, however warm skin and a kind voice, together with a watchful eye can go a long way to ensure a speedy recovery. (Photograph: Toshirharu Kato, Japanese Red Cross)

For some of the youngest patients, who may be particularly vulnerable, special care must be provided, however warm skin and a kind voice, together with a watchful eye can go a long way to ensure a speedy recovery. (Photograph: Toshirharu Kato, Japanese Red Cross)

One week after the earthquake struck and tsunami surged through, a Japanese Red Cross volunteer surveys the damage to Otsuchi in Iwate prefecture. (Photograph: Japanese Red Cross Society)

One week after the earthquake struck and tsunami surged through, a Japanese Red Cross volunteer surveys the damage to Otsuchi in Iwate prefecture. (Photograph: Japanese Red Cross Society)

Technicians scan Red Cross rescue workers for signs of radiation in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture in northern Japan, after an earthquake and tsunami struck the area, March 14, 2011. (Photograph: Reuters/Kyodo)

Technicians scan Red Cross rescue workers for signs of radiation in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture in northern Japan, after an earthquake and tsunami struck the area, March 14, 2011. (Photograph: Reuters/Kyodo)

Facebook Comments