Dear friends of Dhamma Aid Cambodia,

You can now donate cash to DAC at Sukhi Hotu

Sukhi Hotu has offered its branches to be cash donation collection agents for DAC.  You can now donate cash towards DAC's projects at all 3 Sukhi Hotu branches in Penang as well as in Selangor.  We are grateful to Aaron and Mun Yee, the twin pillars of Sukhi Hotu, for their unswerving support for DAC in its efforts to assist the resurgence of Buddhism in Cambodia.

The branches of Sukhi Hotu are at:

Appeal for funds for 2 projects

1. Scholarships for monks at Buddhist University - RM 900 each

The academic year at the Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University has just begun in Phnom Penh. Our partner KEAP, under the leadership of Dr Peter Gyallay Pap, has announced the 2010 scholarship program and will attempt to match available scholarship funds with the applications received. Students who have demonstrated academic achievement, a commitment to the monastic life, and financial need are selected from among the applicants. The number of scholarships depends on the funds received. Since 2007 DAC has been working with KEAP to provide scholarships for monks studying at the Buddhist University. This year we hope to raise adequate funds for at least 5 scholarships. Each scholarship is USD 275 or RM900.  You may donate any amount towards this purpose.  However if you wish to contribute a full scholarship of RM900, please inform me so that your contribution is properly acknowledged. Cambodia's single greatest need is a Sangha with renewed standards. The KEAP scholarship program for monastics in Cambodia is highly recommended and appreciated by Buddhist, government, and education leaders in Cambodia. It has made a marked difference in promoting serious learning habits and attitudes among the students at the Buddhist University. The rebirth of the Khmer culture and society will to a large extent depend on the renewal of standards in the Buddhist sangha. With planning and support from sympathetic friends, and the revival of the monastic community itself, Buddhism will again play a leading role in shaping a better future for Cambodia. Read more

2. Roof for nuns monastery in Battambang - RM 2,200

With the resurgence of Buddhism in Cambodia, the local population has invested heavily in rebuilding many of their temples destroyed during the Khmer Rouge years.  However, support for the nuns in Cambodia is minimal and they are an ignored resource for the people around their communities. This is unfortunate as they are often more mature, knowledgeable about the Dhamma, and committed to the well-being of Khmer society than many monks.  Wat Poveal, in the heart of Battambang is an important teaching wat in the western part of Cambodia. It also houses an important nun's monastery.  Before the country erupted in civil war in 1970, the monastery had for decades been a thriving centre for nuns in the west. The nun’s center reopened in 1995, but is a pale imitation of its former self.  The nun's monastery is now under the leadership of Head Nun Sa Vy, a teacher and meditation master whose skills are in demand in wats throughout the province. She travels to teach nuns and laywomen, as well as monks who seek to learn meditation from her. Our partner, KEAP is working closely with Head Nun Sa Vy to upgrade the facility as a basis for strengthening the center for teaching Dhamma and meditation, including as a resource for counseling women and children suffering from domestic violence.  With the upgrade of the facility, it is hoped that the center may attract more, and younger, nuns and become a thriving Dhamma outreach center again.  KEAP has provided funds for the upgrade of the nun's monastery. Several improvements, especially to the water supply has been put in place. However, as can be seen in the picture below, the frame for the roof is up but approximately another RM2,200 is needed to complete the renovations. Until these funds are available, the nuns have to make do with a monastery without a complete roof.

Head nun and meditation teacher Don Chee Sa Vy

Nun's Monastery with uncompleted roof at Wat Poveal, Battambang The middle floor is meditation space with nun's living quarters on the floor above and on the ground level.

DAC is now collecting donations for these two purposes. Donations received from now till the end of June will be aggregated in support of these projects. However, if you wish to sponsor the full amount of a scholarship or the roof of the Nun's monastery, please let me know.

Please remember you may donate cash directly to DAC at Sukhi Hotu. See the Main Page for other ways of sending in your donation.

Please feel free to inform others of this opportunity to support the Sasana.

With peace in the BuddhaDhamma,
Yu Ban
May 2010

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