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Archive Number 4174 | ||
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Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 16:03:55 -0500
MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Its a great idea Lee Ellen and Jo. I have been thinking about and telling the story that Lafcadio Hearn collected over a hundred years ago in Japan about the tsunami, "The Burning of the Buddha Fields," (sources below)in which the old man saved his village by recognizing the signs of an impending Tsunami and lit his fields on fire to drawn the villagers up the mountain away from the shore. Two things particularly strike me about the story: One, in the tale we learn to recognize the signs that a tidal wave is coming (sea pulling suddenly away from the shore far more than it does at low tide - earthquake under the sea.) I ask myself, why didn't everyone know that? Why aren't these tales told far and wide so that everyone knows how to be with nature? There is proof of the value of folk tales. (I think Hearn's story may have actually been a true story that has become a folk tale). The second thing that strikes me is the incredible generosity and quick thinking of the wise man. He sacrifices his entire supply of food to save the people. This is the good that comes from natural disaster. The best that is in us comes forward without question or second thoughts. I told that story today at a UU church to kids from 3 to 12 and parents. Normally I wouldn't tell it to the young ones, but they all knew about the tsunami, and listened very intently. I like Lee Ellen's idea of fundraising storytelling events. I can't organize one right now as I have been working my tail off on election fraud stuff, and I have an overdue book that's not done. But if someone in the Boston area wants to get it going I will sure help and donate my services. Maybe Lesley University would donate space. I'll ask Judith Black to ask about that as I am no longer affiliated. Churches would also be good places to do it. Below I reposted an email from a friend today suggesting several particularly good organizations to donate to. Just to be a downer I can't help wishing that everyone, including the media would remember that just as many people have died during the Iraq war. Why aren't we just as outraged. At least that could have been prevented. Peace, Elisa P. Sources: "The Burning of the Buddha Fields," collected and recorded by Lafcadio Hearn, in Gleanings in Buddha Fields: Stories of Hand and Soul in the Far East. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, l897.) Picture Book: "The Wave" retold by Margaret Hodges, (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, l964). My friend wrote: To help with the tsunami tragedy in an efficient and effective way, read the info below from the nonviolent Peaceforce, a wonderful org (nonviolentpeaceforce.org) that has staff and volunteers living and working in Sri Lanka, so they really know from the inside what's happening and what will help. Pass on this info widely!! The bush administration has offered only $35 million to help in possibly the worst natural disaster ever -- the equivalent of what we spend EVERY SEVEN MINUTES in Iraq!!! Sherry 29 December 1000 GMT Many of you have written to offer prayers, gratitude and a desire to help. We offer two suggestions: 1. Keep all the people of Sri Lanka, indeed South Asia, including the Peaceforce in your thoughts, prayers and meditations. 2. Please consider making a donation to *Oxfam or Sarvodaya* with whom we work and who are doing direct relief and humanitarian work. We know them to be strong and effective organizations on the ground in Sri Lanka. * Sarvodaya *is a Sri Lankan organization with the largest community network in the country. *To donate to Sarvodaya online by credit card* you may donate through the Nonviolent Peaceforce: http://www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org/english/help/donatetosarvodaya.asp {http://www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org/english/help/donation.asp} Go directly to the Sarvodaya donation page. 100% of the money we collect at this site will go to Sarvodaya. * To donate via post within the USA, *please send a tax-deductible check made out to: Sarvodaya USA 5716 Manchester Avenue #3, Los Angeles, CA 90045 Please note that the check is for the Tsunami disaster and sent via NP. *To donate to Sarvodaya directly in Sri Lanka* using a wire transfer here is the information you will need for foreign remittance: Sarvodaya Inc. Acct. No 159000 8015 Commercial Bank of Ceylon Limited.- Moratuwa branch Swift Code CCEYLKLX. Sarvodaya info in Sri Lanka: http://www.sarvodaya.lk/ {http://www.sarvodaya.lk/} And/or donate to *OXFAM*: Go to: http://www.oxfam.org/eng/oxfam_sites.htm {http://www.oxfam.org/eng/oxfam_sites.htm} to find your country or the Oxfam home page. In the USA go to: https://secure.ga3.org/02/oxfamamerica?extra1=asian_quake_2004 {https://secure.ga3.org/02/oxfamamerica?extra1=asian_quake_2004} News of Nonviolent Peaceforce Volunteers and Staff: My Dear Friends: So much has happened in the last 3 days. The tragedy is far worse than we first anticipated. As the death toll exceeds 21,000 in Sri Lanka we grieve with our friends and associates. One of our Field Team Members, Kathy from Nigeria, is still in the hospital in Matara and has required additional minor surgery. Her colleague Frank is with her. They will come to Colombo as soon as Kathy is able. Priyah, one or our Sri Lankan staff members, has lost family, friends and neighbors, as well as her half or her house and most of its contents. Rajiv, our Asian Coordinator, has also lost friends in India. Thomas of the USA narrowly missed the Tsunami in Trincomalee where he had been taking a Christmas break at a beach guesthouse. He had decided to go out for a bike ride with a friend just after breakfast. On the bike ride they ran into hordes of people fleeing in panic from being displaced by the wave. Some hours later he was able to get back to his guest house only to discover that the wave had destroyed all the guest bungalows in the compound. His possessions were lost but he was safe. He returned to scenes of devastation in the low lying areas of the Mutur town where one of our houses is located. NP Field Staff: Midori in Jaffna, Thomas in Mutur and Angela in Valaichchenai are all working with local partners to define what NP can do most effectively at the grassroots with our partner organizations. From throughout the country the Nonviolent Peaceforce teams are reporting amazing stories of resiliency. They have seen examples of people who have been pitted against each other working together. Again, thank your for your deep and strong support. Let us all hold each other especially close. With love, Mel Mel Duncan Executive Director Nonviolent Peaceforce ======================= You are receiving this by way of the Nonviolent Peaceforce "Announce" mailing list. Frequency of use typically less than 6/year. -- Nonviolent Peaceforce 425 Oak Grove St, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA, +1-612-871-0005 Rue Van Elewyck 35, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium, +49-40-655-90-940 http://NonviolentPeaceforce.org -- We obtain and use your email address only at your request and consent. To change your preferences or unsubscribe visit http://stpaul.us.nonviolentpeaceforce.org/maillist/?p=preferences&uid=9c5a9f 6f3f429ed6fbdc35b566b07992 -- ------------------------------- To Unsubscribe from Healingstory send the message: unsubscribe healingstory to: listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu ------------------------------- | ||