Author Topic: Taiwan monk offers hope to African orphans with Buddhist teachings  (Read 5871 times)

Namdrol

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By Lee Hsin-Yin, CNA, Jan 21, 2012

Taipei, Taiwan -- Master Hui Li, chairman of the South Africa-based Amitofo Care Centre (ACC), decided to set up orphanages in Africa after an eye-opening visit to South Africa in 1992.

During that trip, Hui Li saw the devastating effect that HIV/AIDS was having on the children of the country and decided that Buddhist teaching were the solution to the misery he saw.

"The fundamental principle of Buddhism is that everyone is equal," the 56-year-old said in a recent interview with CNA. "Practicing Buddhism helps heal the kids and teaches them how to treat others with respect."

At present, he added, his non-profit organization has adopted more than 3,000 orphans across the continent in countries such as Malawi, Swaziland and Lesotho.

Children at the orphanages are placed in groups comprising of students of different ages, Hui Li explained. This allows the kids to experience a real social life, as they not only live and study hard together, but also, more importantly, take care of each other as well, he added.

As an incentive to work hard, the group that performs the best academically is allowed to go into town as a reward, Hui Li said, adding that the orphanages accept children up to the age of 18.

"What we are doing here is integrating Buddhist teachings with aspects of mundane daily life because Buddhists don't live in outer space," Hui Li said, touting his child care methodology as practical.

Every effort, he said, however, is based on local African culture. In that way, the children can grow up with a sense of morality and hopefully make a change to their surroundings as adults.

"No matter whether we provide a Buddhist or Chinese learning environment, it's ultimately the Africans themselves who should decide what they want from their lives," he said.

In that regard, Hui Li explained, the orphans are encouraged to express themselves through music and dance, as these are the most common ways Africans celebrate their culture.

"Look at the people here. Every one from the age of 3 up to the age of 90 loves dancing and singing," said Hui Li. "We don't want to sacrifice African traditions for modernization."

Klein

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Re: Taiwan monk offers hope to African orphans with Buddhist teachings
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2012, 07:00:36 PM »
[What we are doing here is integrating Buddhist teachings with aspects of mundane daily life because Buddhists don't live in outer space," Hui Li said, touting his child care methodology as practical.

Every effort, he said, however, is based on local African culture. In that way, the children can grow up with a sense of morality and hopefully make a change to their surroundings as adults.

"No matter whether we provide a Buddhist or Chinese learning environment, it's ultimately the Africans themselves who should decide what they want from their lives," he said.

In that regard, Hui Li explained, the orphans are encouraged to express themselves through music and dance, as these are the most common ways Africans celebrate their culture.

"Look at the people here. Every one from the age of 3 up to the age of 90 loves dancing and singing," said Hui Li. "We don't want to sacrifice African traditions for modernization."]




One thing about Buddhism is that the practice can be infused in all types of culture. Buddhism, I believe enhances the people and their culture. Master Hui Li is the founder of Amitofo Care Centre and is doing a great job helping the orphans in Africa. The following is the general write up about the centre from their website.

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The Amitofo Care Centre (ACC) - which comprises of an administration centre, children’s dormitories, youth dormitories, preparatory school, kindergarten, library, activity centre, medical centre, vocational training centre, religious centre, CBO etc - is founded and directed by Buddhist clergy from the East with an aspiration and mission to directly rear and care for orphans of Africa within the humanitarian and educational umbrella. The main principles of ACC are based on local African culture, Chinese culture and Buddhist philosophy which are given to the orphans in need. This is considered a unique and remarkable characteristic of ACC although it must be stressed that none of the orphans have taken refuge to Buddhism, as we respect their religious freedom and will allow them to choose their own religions as they enter adulthood.

After an arduous ten years ACC’s caring programme has spread from one location to a number of African countries benefiting thousands of children and adults alike. ACC’s compassionate and philanthropic foot-prints have been left not only in South Africa but also in Swaziland, Burkina Faso, Chad, Gambia, Sao Tome and Principe, Nigeria, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, etc. as well as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia and several South American countries as St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The total orphans that ACC has adopted to date number around 3000.

The current ACC is in association with three charity institutes namely; the Yuan Tong Culture and Care Association (R.O.C.) , Pu-Hsein Educational Foundation of Taiwan and the Amitofo Charity Association in South Africa that continuously organize and manage ACC operations along with financial support.

Venerable Hui Li, born in Taiwan and tagged as the ‘African monk’, founded ACC specifically for African orphans in the early 90’s and is still the residing chairperson. With his enthusiasm and big heart to bring love and care to the orphans

Ven. Hui Li has been awarded the “Loving of Life” medal by the Chou Ta-Kuan Foundation of Taiwan. He has also been invited by a number of First Ladies of certain African countries. Some of whom refer to him as the Buddhist Albert Sweitzer in praise of his significance and contributions thus far. Nowadays ACC, and Ven. Hui Li, is widely recognized as an international charity and educational institute and sponsored by numerous people in Asia.

The concept of ACC is based on a “Big Family” or “Children’s Village” idea. A group of 16-20 children are put together like a family with one nanny, one ‘mommy’, and one child-care teacher who all live under one roof. These adults are responsible for managing the home and taking care of the children. Twelve families will form a “Village” that provides a domestic atmosphere so that the orphans may experience the warmth of family. Consequently they may experience a social life, interacting with each other as well as learning the responsibility and obligations a resident ought to undertake.

Present & Future
At present the Head Quarters of ACC, the Amitofo Charity Association, is located in South Africa. The ACC in Blantyre, Malawi, is in the process of building a staff dormitory and the Yuan Tong elementary school while in Lilongwe, Malawi, plans are being set up with regards to construction. The ACC in Harare, Zimbabwe, is undergoing phase one of its construction of 30 buildings expected to be completed by the end of the year. In Swaziland and Lesotho construction began in October 2008 with ambitions to start providing shelter for orphans in those regions after one year or so of construction.

Manjushri

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Re: Taiwan monk offers hope to African orphans with Buddhist teachings
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2012, 08:59:47 PM »
This is a nice simple story, thank you for sharing it. I like how Master Hui Li recognized that instilling Buddhist philosophies in the African community was the only way to reduce the suffering that he saw during his visit to Africa.

He set up the orphanages integrating Buddhist curriculum and teachings, and I don't see anything written about the children having to be Buddhist. Religious freedom is still a choice made by the kids, but what it does is help the kids to learn, because Buddhism is about improving oneself, and leading life with utmost respect and dignity even with the problems and challenges faced by the individual. Buddhism is not about proving that the religion is better or not, but it is about alleviating suffering, and I feel that the intention and motivation from Master Hui Li is only that - using Buddhist philosophy to educate the children so that the future generations have reduced sufferings.

I like what he siad in that:

"The fundamental principle of Buddhism is that everyone is equal," the 56-year-old said in a recent interview with CNA. "Practicing Buddhism helps heal the kids and teaches them how to treat others with respect."

When the kids can heal themselves, they will bring happiness to others. What a beautiful equation that Master Hui Li has portrayed through ACC.

bambi

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Re: Taiwan monk offers hope to African orphans with Buddhist teachings
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2012, 10:45:34 AM »
Rejoice! What a meaningful thing to do. Most of us know that due to their karma, many do not have the chance to know Buddhism and its teachings. Since they do not have the merits the receive the teachings, why not bring it to them! I am really happy to read this post. May the kids and everyone else get to learn and understand Buddhism and apply it to their daily routine as they grow.

I really LOVE what Master Hui Li said here.

"What we are doing here is integrating Buddhist teachings with aspects of mundane daily life because Buddhists don't live in outer space," Hui Li said, touting his child care methodology as practical.

Every effort, he said, however, is based on local African culture. In that way, the children can grow up with a sense of morality and hopefully make a change to their surroundings as adults.

"No matter whether we provide a Buddhist or Chinese learning environment, it's ultimately the Africans themselves who should decide what they want from their lives," he said.


Yes, there is no harm in guiding and teaching the children without changing who they are inside. Its just that these teachings will help them to learn and grow up in a good environment.

vajrastorm

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Re: Taiwan monk offers hope to African orphans with Buddhist teachings
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2012, 01:17:29 PM »
Taiwanese monk,Master Hui Li, is a rare individual who has  effectively given much needed doses of compassion served with an adequate amount of pragmatism to African children.

On a 1992 trip to South Africa,he saw the devastation of HIV/AIDS on innocent helpless African children, who were made orphans by these diseases. He decided there and then that he would apply Buddhist principles to relieve them of their suffering. He created orphanages and later schools for them. Using the basic Buddhist principle of the fundamental equality of all beings, he proceeded to heal these children by restoring their self respect and esteem, and by teaching them to respect and care for one another and others.

He skillfully combined Buddhist philosophy with African culture. He capitalized on their love of music and dancing. He made use of care concepts like "Big Family" and Children's Village". He effected much social integration in this way.

Over and above this, he gave them freedom of choice. This included freedom to choose their own religion. It is a testimony to this man of 'big heart' ,an open mind and pure love that none of the African children have taken Refuge in The Three Jewels, though they grow up with a strong sense of moral discipline.

It is little wonder that Master Hui Li is referred to lovingly as the "African monk" and the "Buddhist Albert Sweitzer".