More than 100 people including Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development and Wanita MCA chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun attended the “88 Taiwan Typhoon Memorial” at Chempaka Buddhist Lodge (CBL) in Taman SEA, Petaling Jaya on Aug 31, 2009.
The memorial is organised by CBL together with Association of Taiwan Alumni Malaysia, PJU MCA Wanita and PJU Crisis Relief Squad of MCA (CRSM), to let the public mourn the victims, pray for the disaster survivors, share merits with the departed victims and the community.
The memorial service is opened to the public, irrespective of religion and race, for prayers from Aug 26 to Sep 6, 2009.
A donation box is placed there for the public to donate and all donations collected will be handed to Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre for transmission to the disaster victims.
Let us hope that the people of Taiwan will survive and recover from the damage with faith and love.
Note:Typhoon Morakot which hit southern and eastern parts of Taiwan on Aug 8, 2009 caused severe damage and deaths. It is the worst storm to hit southern Taiwan in over 50 years. Floods and mudslides unleashed by Typhoon Morakot had killed more than 500 people on the island, destroyed the homes of 7,000 people and caused agricultural and property damage in excess of 50 billion New Taiwan dollars (US$1.5 billion).
The make-shift 88 Taiwan Typhoon Memorial at Chempaka Buddhist Lodge in SS23 Taman SEA, Petaling Jaya.
The congregation attending the 88 Taiwan Typhoon memorial service.
Buddhist monks in red and yellow robes were at the ceremony.
Chempaka Buddhist Lodge chairman Liew Chang Huat giving his speech.
Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development and Wanita MCA chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun at the 88 Taiwan Typhoon Memorial ceremony at Chempaka Buddhist Lodge, Petaling Jaya.
A representative of the Association of Taiwan Alumni (Malaysia) giving his speech.
The emcee of the 88 Taiwan Typhoon Memorial ceremony S.K. Tan who is a committee member of Chempaka Buddhist Lodge, PJ.
Observing a 88-second silent tribute to signify the date when the disaster struck on Aug 8.
A slide show on the damage and deaths caused by the worst storm in 50 years to hit southern Taiwan on August 8, 2009.
Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development and Wanita MCA chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun places flowers and lighted candle during the “88 Taiwan typhoon Morakot” memorial held at Chempaka Buddhist Lodge in Petaling Jaya.
Monks in red and yellow robes offering flowers and lotus-shaped candles at the memorial service to share compassion at a time when the survivors had a sense of loss, grief and emptiness.
Long line of people taking turns to make their offerings.
A prayer, hope and remembrance.
A man lights a lotus-shaped candle as as an expression of sympathy.
Parents and children participated at the memorial service.
A man placed a stalk of flower and lotus-shaped candle at the memorial service.
The memorial service is opened to all irrespective of race and religion.
Offering flowers send a gentle message of hope, encouragement and sympathy.
In and around the Chempaka Buddhist Lodge, Taman SEA, Petaling Jaya:
A statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, stands majestically in the compound of Chempaka Buddhist Lodge, Petaling Jaya.
A marble statue of Goddess of Mercy Kuan Yin (Guanyin) sitting on a heavenly guardian lion.
A marble statue of Laughing Buddha who is believed to bring luck, good fortune and wealth.
A Baby Buddha image with his right hand pointing up and his left hand pointing down to unite heaven and earth.
