Calming the Minds Amidst SARS Outbreaks

2003/5/2

As new cases of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) continue to surge, and more people suspected as probable cases are kept under quarantine in Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Toronto, more people are driven into fear and panic. 

To help calm the minds and ease the fears of the public, Master Sheng Yen, founder of the Dharma Drum Mountain who is currently teaching the Dharma in New York, extends his blessings and concern for everyone in a letter. The Master encouraged everyone to work together to protect and purify our minds for the benefit of ourselves, our families, and friends, so that we can all prevail over the SARS epidemic in peace. He also urged the public to entrust in the medical and scientific experts in setting up measures to control and curb the epidemic, and to entrust the difficulties encountered in life to our individual religious faith. The Master and some disciples held a simple blessing ceremony at the Chan Meditation Center in New York to pray for the SARS affected people and regions. 

In Taiwan, various charity foundations and organizations, as well as religious groups such as Tzu Chi, Fo Guang Shan, and Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) have joined effort with the Bureau of Social Affairs of the Taipei City to provide food, material aid and spiritual support to the SARS victims and medical stuff under quarantine, and their families. 

DDM volunteers at the Family Support Center set up nearby the Taipei Municipal Hoping Hospital, which is into its eighth day under quarantine, takes shifts in providing aids and support to the hospital and family members who are kept under quarantine in the hospital. In addition to aid in delivering foods and supplies to the hospital, DDM also delivered books and 2000 "Blessing Packs" for the people under quarantine in other hospitals. 

The DDM "Blessing Pack" each contains a letter of Master Sheng Yen's blessings, a copy of the Great Compassion Mantra, mantra recitation cards, related mind calming notes, and a mind soothing music tape provided by the Wind Records. DDM hopes these can help ease these people's fears and comfort their minds while undergoing medical treatments and care. 

In its effort to take precautions against SARS outbreaks, DDM in Taiwan has put a halt on all its public activities. Blessing prayers are held internally by DDM monastic at its monasteries and centers to pray for everyone, and the swift discovery of vaccines and drugs to curb and eliminate the SARS epidemic. In New York, notices have been posted at the entrance of the DDM Chan Meditation Center to bring to attention people's awareness in taking precautions against SARS.