A Reflection on Disasters -- by Ven Sik Kwang Sheng

At the Inter-Faith Prayer Service & Cheque Presentation Ceremony for Yogyakarta earthquake victims on Jun 10, Ven Sik Kwang Sheng, Secretary-General of Singapore Buddhist Federation & Abbot of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, addressed an audience of 1,000 about disaster and environmental awareness.

Your Excellency Mr Andradjati, Charge d'ffaires, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia;Mr Lee Bok Guan, Chairman, Singapore Buddhist Lodge;Mr Abu Bakar Maidin, President, Jamiyah Singapore;Mr V R Nathan, President, Inter-Religious Organisation;Ladies and gentlemen...

Thank you for taking the time to attend today's memorial prayer service. It is with a heavy heart that I offer my sincere condolences to the victims of the recent Indonesian earthquake.

We gather here today because we share the victims'?pain and suffering. May we all do what we can to help the victims - be it by offering generous donations of money, necessities, time and effort, or through our prayers.

A real natural disaster has occurred. But it would be even more disastrous if fellow humans are oblivious to each other's suffering, and are not doing what we can to help one other. The human body may be frail at times, but our minds need not be. In fact, it is during crises such as this that we should be even stronger. May all those who survive the quake have speedy recoveries. May they be brave and resilient, and be strong in overcoming the demise of their loved ones.

Since time immemorial, humankind has been afflicted with both man-made and natural disasters. While man-made disasters are largely avoidable with the fostering of universal compassion and wisdom, natural disasters tend to recur. Surrounded by nature, it is difficult to escape from natural calamities totally. Being dependent on nature, we are humbled by it, and we have to respect it.

If we expect nature to take care of us, we need to take care of nature. With the rise of environmental problems like global warming, deforestation and pollution caused by human beings, we need to take better care of the Earth. It is highly possible that man's collective harm to the environment plays a part in manifesting natural disasters. But even if not, care for the environment is still crucial. Doing so would only help us to take better care of ourselves.

We are one big family of brothers and sisters, and the Earth is our one big home. If we do not take care of one another, who will take care of us? May every natural disaster only bind us closer - for the lack of unity would be a most unnatural disaster.

May all sentient beings be free from sufferings. May all beings be well and happy. Once again, I thank you for attending today's memorial prayer service.