SUMERU » Charity

A scandal we missed in 2011

Yönten — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:07:34 +0000

Back in 2011, Peter Mander was running a Ponzi scheme in Toronto in which SGI Canada was caught up, unbeknownst to them at the time. It turns out Mander was an ardent supporter of this Canadian Nichiren organization and gave them more than $320 thousand in donations over the period of a few years. When his scheme fell apart and he was exposed in 2011, SGI Canada was put in the awkward position of having to decide what to do. They decided to return the money. The story was complicated by the mysterious death of Mr. Mander in his home (in Flamborough, Ontario), and infighting amongst disaffected SGI members. The Globe and Mail ranked it as one of the top scandals of 2011.

Here are a few of the links:
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/946896–ponzi-scheme-duped-gta-dentists
http://mingkok.buddhistdoor.com/en/news/d/11652
http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/death-adds-to-mystery-of-businessman-at-centre-of-investor-lawsuit/article1510110/?service=mobile
http://fraughtwithperil.com/markrogow/2010/07/16/sgi-canada-conman-dialogue-and-suicide/

Unbeaten by Rain

Yönten — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:53:10 +0000

One of Japan’s most famous poems, translated, from the Manitoba Buddhist Church blog… Don’t forget Japan’s tsunami tragedy!

http://www.manitobabuddhistchurch.org/jodoshinshu/unbeatenbyrain.html

Robert Ho gives millions to Lions Gate Hospital to boost mental health

Yönten — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 16:09:09 +0000

Robert Ho, founder of the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation and the Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation, has recently made a $10 million donation to the Lions Gate Hospital (following on many other large donations to Canadian and international institutions. Here is the complete story from straight.com, an online news source in Vancouver: http://www.straight.com/article-465821/vancouver/exscribe-gives-millions-boost-mental-health

Buddha’s Light Vegetarian Gala: 9.24.11

Yönten — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:46:38 +0000

From Fo Guang Shan Temple, Mississauga: http://www.fgs.ca/english/2011_VeggieGala.html

Glenn Mullin in Mongolia

Yönten — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 11:44:33 +0000

Glenn Mullin is a Canadian Buddhist author, teacher and tour guide living in Mongolia. Here he is in a humorous but fascinating video tour of Erdeni Zuu Monastery in Mongolia:

Kidding aside, however, Glenn has been involved in more than 20 Buddhist-inspired development projects in Mongolia and is currently working on 10 more. Here is a link to his official website for more information… http://www.glennmullin.com/new/mongolia_projects_001.php

Buddhist Monks bless Edmonton Dragon Boat Races

Yönten — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 15:39:32 +0000

The Edmonton Dragon Boat Races held their 15th annual even this week-end. Buddhist monks were on hand to bless the boats and paint eyes on them to awaken the dragon spirits – all for a great cause!

Here’s the link: http://www.stalbertgazette.com/article/20110820/SAG0302/308209993/breast-friends-ride-again

Ted Lipman to head Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation

Yönten — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 17:00:51 +0000

Former Canadian diplomat Ted Lipman will be the new CEO of the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation, part of whose mandate is to promote Buddhist education worldwide.

Here is an article about the appointment from artdaily.org

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=46679

Toronto Buddhist prayer service for Japanese quake victims

Yönten — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:54:04 +0000

Public Buddhist Prayer Service for victims of earthquake and tsunami in Japan — the service will be conducted in three Buddhist traditions

Donations, in cash or cheques, will be collected for the Canadian Red Cross to support relief efforts in Japan.

Time: 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 2, 2011

Place: Main Activity Hall, Multi-Faith Centre for Spiritual Study and Practice, University of Toronto, 569 Spadina Ave.

Directions: http://www.multifaith.utoronto.ca/Contact-Us–Book-Space.htm#Directions

Presented by: Buddhism & Psychology Student Union, U of T www.bpsu.org

Lethbridge Buddhist memorial service for Japanese quake victims

Yönten — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:49:06 +0000

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Details from the Lethbridge Herald: http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/local-news/buddhist-memorial-service-to-support-japan-quake-survivors-32611.html

SGI Canada requests Japan relief donations go to Canadian Red Cross

Yönten — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 22:53:49 +0000

Here is the message from Tony Meers, General Director of Soka Gakkai Canada…

Thank you very much for all the members’ sincere prayers for the people of Japan as they struggle in the aftermath of the earthquake, the tsunami, and now the nuclear radiation threat. Let us continue to chant daimoku for the protection of the people in the spirit of SGI President Ikeda’s message:

“I offer this expression of heartfelt sympathy and support to all those whose lives have been impacted by the massive earthquake that struck northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011. My wife Kaneko and I are sending powerful daimoku to you, my precious, treasured friends, for you to be able to experience the clear and certain protection of the Buddha and the Buddhist deities. As Nichiren Daishonin declares, “Myo means to revive, that is, to return to life” (WND vol.1, p.149). Now is the time to muster the indomitable power of faith and practice, in order to bring forth and make manifest the boundless power of the Buddha and the Law as we together strive to transform this great suffering and trial. Again, I offer my deepest sympathy to all who have been afflicted.”

The tremendous efforts being made by the Soka Gakkai in Japan are volunteer actions of the members and staff, including the opening of Soka Gakkai centres as shelters and the distribution of food, water and other supplies.

For those who wish to make donations for relief efforts, please donate directly to the Red Cross or other relief agency. This is the most effective way to get aid to the people.

Thank you again for your earnest efforts.

Tony Meers General Director SGI Canada

Here is the link for the CANADIAN RED CROSS