Dhamma
Aid Cambodia
August
2008 Update
Dear friends,
We are happy
to report that we
have printed another 4000
copies of Good Question Good Answer
at the
request of our Cambodian friends. Ven Vandong reported that
he
received many requests for this book. The requests had
come
from townsfolk and villagers who had seen others with the book, long
after he had run out of stock.
This brings
the total number
of this particular book to 21,460 copies printed in Cambodia in the
last 3 years. That might sound like a lot, but considering
that Cambodia has a population of 14 million of which 94% claim to be
Buddhist, and with a literacy rate of 74%, really, only a tiny minority
have been reached with this book. Although nominally
Buddhists, many do not know the basics of their religion nor seen a
Dhamma book, let alone being in a position to pass the tradition down
to their children. That is why it is so important to continue this
work. Thanks
and appreciation to all who have contributed to the DAC fund. Special
thanks must also go to the Subang Jaya Buddhist Association which gave
us a donation of RM5,000.
We are
further encouraged by some recent developments. DAC has
inspired
others to take on similar work. Our good friend, Ven
Bunsim of Phnom Penh, has received the permission of his superiors to
set aside a room in Wat Langka in Phnom Penh to act as an office for
the translation and publishing of Dhamma books. Computers will be
installed and volunteers have come forward to assist in the
translation, typesetting, publishing and eventual distribution of
Dhamma books.
Another
friend who recently returned from a trip to Laos has also decided to
assist Dhamma work in that country. She has initiated the
translation of the book "Good Question Good Answer" into the Lao
language with the objective of sponsoring the publication for free
distribution in that country.
Below are
some pictures of our latest project, the printing of 4,000 copies of
Good Question Good Answer. Ven Vandong has given some books
to a High School in Kampong Cham as well as the following NGOs:
- Buddhism
Education for Peace and Non-violence Foundation,
Phnom Penh.- 900 books.
- Buddhist
Morality Education Center, Phnom Penh - 840
books.
- Buddhism
and Society Development Association branch
in Takeo
province - 600 books.
As
he will be travelling to India soon he will only be able to distribute
the books in earnest
when he returns from his trip. In the meantime, he has sent some
pictures below.
1. Four
thousand books hot off the press
3. The books are
shared out among local Wats and NGOs.
|
2. The
books are transported with the help of volunteers.
4. Ven Vandong hits the
streets giving these very important looking men
the Dhamma.
|
Yu
Ban
August 2008
2nd update...Latest
photos from Ven Vandong.
Ven Vandong sent these latest pictures
of distribution of "Good Question, Good Answer" in Takeo, a
coastal province in the south, where he has recently established a
branch of Buddhism and Society Development Association.
Takeo province
Village
youth gather in an open compound to receive free Dhamma books - "Good
Question, Good Answer" |
Speeches
are read out, probably mentioning Malaysian Buddhist sponsors.
Anumodana to our donors! |
While
the monks distribute the books to the youth, the children take the
opportunity to jon the event. |
Giving
out the books to Students in Takeo. |
Distribution
to a Women's Development Unit |
And
others who found Good Answers to their questions. |
Sept
2008
Yu Ban
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