Bringing Winter Warmth to India’s Holy Men

Taichung Center, Formosa Relief Team (Originally in Chinese)

In early January 2014, as a bitter cold wave swept through northern India, Master contributed US$16,000 and requested our Association members to assist the country’s wandering yogis (sadhus). A team from Taichung Center in Formosa answered the loving request and traveled to India. Upon arriving in New Delhi, our team was assisted by our local Association member who guided us to a blanket factory in Ludhiana where we purchased 3,531 blankets.

After packing and loading the blankets, we traveled to Shri Santosh Puri Ashram, a meditation center in Haridwar, where the abbot informed us of the sadhus’ needs and helped us find a minivan to rent. We then drove to other locations by the Ganges River in the area frequented by holy men, and offered them blankets.

Later, with the abbot’s help, we visited more remote gathering places for Buddhist monks. After learning that many would be returning to the temple of Geeta Kutir for dinner that evening, we quickly set out for the temple and distributed approximately 700 blankets as the monks finished eating. The recipients expressed their gratitude to Master and conveyed their happiness for the blankets. The remaining 200 blankets were then distributed to those in need just before heavy rain and thunder struck.

With INR 40,000 remaining, we bought another 308 blankets, which we distributed to sadhus on the other bank of the Ganges. Traveling back to New Delhi, we gave thanks for God’s grace and blessings in enabling our relief work to proceed smoothly.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai for
Cold-Weather Relief Work in India