Help fleeing monks from Burma
by Ken and Visakha Kawasaki, The Buddhist Channel, Oct 2, 2007
Kandy, Sri Lanka -- It seems that the whole world has been following the recent events in Burma. The response of the military junta to the peaceful demonstrations led by the monks has been violent. We have seen photos of the bodies of monks lying in gruesome postures.
One particularly disturbing report described how security forces raided a monastery at night and brutally murdered many monks. It is not known how many have already been killed.
We have just received news that a group of monks has crossed the border seeking refuge outside the country. We expect that, in the coming days and weeks, this will increase substantially. We expect that many of the fleeing monks will try to reach India.
India is not a Buddhist country (yet), but there are monasteries in the northeast states, including Tripura, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh, and in West Bengal which can and will accommodate them temporarily. They will need assistance in applying for refugee status from UNHCR and in furthering their studies, perhaps at Indian institutes and universities.
Buddhist Relief Mission < www.brelief.org > is cooperating closely with a network of monks and activists in India and Bangladesh to build support for this expected crisis. Funds will be needed to provide food, medicine, transportation, and other requisites. The network is also prepared to channel funds secretly and securely inside Burma to assist monks and nuns where possible.
We ask for your support.
Donations can be made via PayPal at < http://www.brelief.org/help.htm>
or by check or money order pay to Buddhist Relief Mission.
Send to:
Smith Barney
P.O. Box 320590
Flint, MI 48532-0011
U.S.A.
(In the latter case, please send email with name and address for receipt to <buddhist@brelief.org>)
Let us assure you that 100% of all donations will be used to support refugees, monks and nuns, from Burma. There are no administrative expenses at any level.
All donations will be receipted, and, since Buddhist Relief Mission is a 501(c)3 organization, donations of up to ,000 are tax deductible for US income tax purposes.
