On January 23, 2020, the city of Wuhan in China was abruptly shut down, as an attempt to halt the spread of Coronavirus, which overlapped with the Lunar New Year, a busy traveling season with people eager to return home to their families. The news about the epidemic quickly caught the attention of the Chinese communities in the US. Reports and updates over the internet painted a bleak picture of climbing death counts and shortages of medical supplies even for the frontline medical professionals.

Witnessing the pandemic, DDMBA in the US immediately began its relief effort. Starting January 27th, volunteers at DDM’s Chicago branch have purchased close to 5000 medical protective coveralls via different venues in the US, hoping to provide support to the frontline medical professionals.

After much behind-the-scene efforts, overcoming technical difficulties in various junctures, on February 6th, 1528 protective coveralls was finally loaded onto a China Southern aircraft, departed from Chicago, and arrived at Shanghai-Pudong Airport. On February 10th, those coveralls were distributed among several hospitals in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas. On February 11th, another 3258 coveralls were transported from Chicago to Shanghai, and are sending to hospitals in Wuhan. In the meantime, the second batch of supplies of 2700 medical protective goggles has been purchased and is now ready to be shipped to Wuhan.

Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association (DDMBA) was established by DDM’s late founder, Master Sheng Yen. It is set up as an NGO (non-governmental organization) in order to reach out to disasters around the world. Guided by Master Sheng Yen’s teaching— “those who alleviate sufferings are bodhisattvas; those who undergo sufferings are great bodhisattvas” — DDMBA is dedicated to unite the power and compassion of many to fight against COVID-19.

Due to the restrictions of medical supplies in the US and the transportation shutdown in China, purchasing and shipping supplies have become increasingly challenging. Yet we have strong faith that more and more volunteer-bodhisattvas will come to join and support this relief effort, spreading love and good-will further beyond.