Photo shows disaster victims in Nepal lining up to receive supplies. The China Temple rushes to offer relief supplies to the epicenter Gorkha District. [Photo/Buddhist Association of China]

KATMANDU, Jun. 30 (China Tibet Online) On the night of Jun. 30, the China Temple dispatched several rescue teams to quake-hit areas in Nepal. The teams have provided a lot of material assistance and free medical services to local quake-affected Tibetans, which reflects the deep feelings of brotherhood that the Chinese government, the Chinese people, and the Buddhist Association of China has toward the people living in Nepal, according to the Chinese Embassy in Nepal.

After the earthquake occurred on Apr. 25, the abbot of the China Temple, Master Yin Shun, directed all monks of the temple to launch an emergency relief plan. They established the self-help and disaster relief headquarters. Meanwhile, Master Zhong Yong was entrusted to make a special trip to visit Kathmandu, where he reported on relief efforts and plans to Wu Chuntai, ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nepal, and he later discussed with embassy staff about specific arrangements for providing material assistance to local quake-affected Tibetans.

The China Temple also made proper arrangements for local residents who had been evacuated from disaster zones, provided information to foreign tourists stranded in Nepal, and helped Chinese citizens to return home as soon as possible.

In addition, the temple also organized masters and local volunteers to prepare relief materials, which were sent to the hardest-hit areas, including Chamati, Panga, Itagol, Kirtipur and Gkirtipurs. The relief team from China Temple was the first to arrive in those areas with relief supplies and to offer free medical services.

The disaster victims who received relief supplies were extremely moved, putting their hands together to express their thanks to the relief teams from China Temple. They said, "The relief teams let us really feel the Chinese people’s profound friendship and the compassionate spirit of Buddhism."

Ani Choying Drolma, Nepal’s UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, famous Tibetan Buddhist singer, and Tibetan living in Nepal [Photo/Ani Choying Drolma’s website]

To this day, the China Temple has organized nearly 200 people to participate in disaster relief efforts. Through the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, the temple has distributed 46 tents and 100 iron sheets valued at nearly 500,000 rupees to local Tibetans, which can be used to construct 1,700 square meters of iron sheet homes.

In addition, they have donated 120 tents and 275 iron sheets to Ani Choying Drolma, the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and a famous Tibetan singer living in Nepal, who later will use those supplies for aiding children and orphans in the quake-hit areas.

At the same time, the China Temple also distributed pure water, instant noodles, rice, and other supplies to quake-affected Nepalese people.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai spoke highly of the China Temple for their philanthropic efforts, lauding them for carrying on the Buddhist doctrines, sending warmth to those quake-affected victims on behalf of Chinese religious circle, and playing an irreplaceable role in promoting the Sino-Nepalese friendship.

The China Temple in Nepal was built at the joint invitation of the World Fellowship of Buddhists and the Lumbini Development Committee, the latter of which is sponsored by United Nations Development Program, UNESCO, and the Nepalese government.

It is China’s first official monastery built outside the country. Its location, Lumbini, is the birthplace of Buddha Sakyamuni.

The China Temple, completed in Oct. 1998, has 1,999 monks at present. The current abbot is Master Yin Shun, who is also the Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China.