How to Help in the Japan Disaster

March 24, 2011

Dear Dharma Friends,

There has been an outpouring of support from people around the globe for the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami disaster that hit northeastern Japan. As you know, this catastrophic disaster has caused untold misery including thousands of deaths and billions of dollars of destruction, including the problem of nuclear radiation escaping from reactors in Fukushima.

We are collecting relief funds at our office in Los Angeles. This money will be sent directly to the Sotoshu Shumucho, the administrative headquarters of the Soto Zen sect in Tokyo. 70% of the money will be given to the Japanese Red Cross Society to aid people who were harmed in the disaster and 30% will be used to aid Soto Zen temples that were destroyed.

We have set up an online payment option through the generous help of the San Francisco Zen Center.  If it is more convenient to pay online, we welcome your support that way.

It is still possible to mail checks to us, payable to “Association of Soto Zen Buddhists,” care of our office at:

Soto Zen Buddhism North America Office

123 S. Hewitt St.

Los Angeles, CA 90012   

All donations are tax deductible.

Many thanks to all the generous people who have donated!  

Gassho,

Director

Soto Zen Buddhism North America Office