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embracing VIETNAMTheGermanMaitreyaFondsHelping Our Sisters andBrothers in VietnamBy Eva K. NeumaierFFor a period that seemed longer than it reallywas, we were squeezed together in a small bus,rocking along over a pothole-strewn gravel roadon the way to a village near the Vietnamesecoast. After a wonderful retreat under the guidanceof Thay, our much honored and belovedteacher, and a splendid celebration of Vesak2008, we were eager to learn more about Thay’snative land and her people. We were about tovisit a poverty-stricken area where the MaitreyaFonds (Maitreya Funds) supports children’s daycare facilities.Sitting near me on the bus, fellow retreatantsasked about the Maitreya Fonds. Everybodyon the bus was interested in learningmore about this aid project. I explained that the Maitreya Fondswas created by the late Karl Schmied in Germany in 1992, inresponse to the poverty widespread among rural communities inVietnam. Under the leadership of Christian Kaufl, a small groupof dedicated volunteers—all students of Thay—has come together,working hard to raise funds to finance various projects in Vietnam.I promised to provide my fellow retreatants with more informationonce I returned to Germany.Kindergarten Is a PrivilegeWith a sharp jolt our bus came to a stop and retreatants fromall over the world poured into the tiny coastal village of Phu An.Children crowded around us, eyes wide with excitement. SisterChan Khong provided the basic facts about the kindergarten andthe dire circumstances of life the parents and their children face.The kindergarten consists of one room with tables and benchesmade from roughly hewn boards; a thatched roof provides minimalprotection from the scorching sun and constant downpours. Thereare no extra amenities in this room, nothing that is not absolutelynecessary, and yet for the village children it is a privilege to attendthe kindergarten. It means that they are not left to their owndevices to forage for edibles in the fields while their parents lookfor work wherever they can find it as hired laborers.The children formed a circle and, led by their teachers, sangseveral songs. We returned to the bus, leaving with a mixture offeelings. On one hand, we were happy that the children were ableto enjoy some education, care, and love, but on the other handwe were saddened by the magnitude of poverty and need in thiscountry.When I returned to Germany, I decided to be one of thevolunteers working for the Maitreya Fonds, providing help tothose so greatly in need in Vietnam—a humble way of showingmy deep gratitude to our teacher and our spiritual ancestors. Ittook almost a year for me to pull together the information for myfellow retreatants on that bus. Assuming most of them will readthe Mindfulness Bell, I am summarizing our work for them andany other readers here.Beginning at a tender age, children learn to abstain from opinionated and22 Winter/Spring 2010
photos courtesy of Maitreya Fondsbiased behavior, replacing anger with love and understanding.the Mindfulness Bell 23
Page 3 and 4: ISSUE NO. 53 - Winter/Spring 2010Dh
Page 7: dharma TALKNirvana is not a place y
Page 12 and 13: miracle of SANGHAADear Brothers, Si
Page 14 and 15: miracle of SANGHA12 Winter/Spring 2
Page 16 and 17: miracle of SANGHATthe SanghaIn theE
Page 18 and 19: miracle of SANGHAA Living ThayBy Ca
Page 20 and 21: embracing VIETNAMOSupportMonasticsi
Page 22 and 23: embracing VIETNAMreflection. Only 7
Page 26 and 27: embracing VIETNAMWhere Help Is Need
Page 28 and 29: mindful LIVINGA New Level of Mindfu
Page 30 and 31: mindful LIVINGBees in LavenderWhat
Page 32 and 33: mindful LIVINGMindful InAny Weather
Page 34 and 35: death and DYINGSome friends and I j
Page 36 and 37: death and DYINGAlmost all of us wan
Page 38 and 39: death and DYING“Now is an excelle
Page 40 and 41: death and DYINGTouchingSunlightBy P
Page 42 and 43: death and DYINGMourning MyDaughterB
Page 44 and 45: death and DYINGphoto by Corina Bene
Page 46 and 47: sangha NEWSSangha NewsThe Steering
Page 48 and 49: media REVIEWSHappinessEssentialMind
Page 50: mindfulness BELLSubscribe to theMin

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