The revered Korean Dharma master and Buddhist activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (법륜스님) and volunteers from the Buddhist humanitarian relief organization JTS Korea returned to southern Türkiye on 28 August to review progress on a school project that JTS initiated in the Turkey-Syria border region following the devastating earthquakes that rocked southern Türkiye and parts of Syria in February 2023.
Soon after reports of last year’s earthquakes spread around the world, JTS Korea volunteers responded by placing team members on the ground to reach out to those at the epicenter of the crisis in Türkiye (formerly Turkey). Ven. Pomnyun Sunim joined JTS Korea volunteers and local relief groups to provide humanitarian aid to survivors of the disaster, distributing supplies and offering support for those in need.*
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim established the humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society (JTS) as an expression of the compassion of engaged Buddhism, and based on the principle that helping others is the best way to enrich one’s own life. Charged with bringing hope, empowerment, and self-reliance to underprivileged communities in developing countries, JTS is run and manned by unpaid volunteers, who ensure that all donations benefit marginalized communities. JTS carries out relief work in countries suffering from humanitarian disasters, and has engaged in humanitarian projects in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. JTS has also earned Special Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
On 28 August, the Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the JTS team were welcomed by volunteers from the White Helmets organization, who gave them a tour of the school project, which, when completed, will be able to accommodate up to 4,000 children.
“When Sunim first came to survey the earthquake-damaged area, the school was completely collapsed and in a dilapidated state. Today, a beautiful new building in pastel colors stood tall,” JTS remarked. “This school is being rebuilt as part of the Türkiye-Syria earthquake recovery project, a collaboration between JTS and the White Helmets.” (Jungto Society)
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim surveyed the interior of the new school, inspecting classrooms and administration offices. The White Helmets volunteers explained that the building had been designed with an emergency shelter in the basement that could be used as an evacuation refuge, and that safety measures were being put in place to prepare for emergency situations in the still-volatile region.
“Emergency measures must be in place to safely evacuate in disaster situations such as fires or earthquakes,” emphasized Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, who showed particular interest in the safety aspects of the school. “There should be sufficient emergency stairs and exits for students to evacuate quickly in case of fire or earthquake.” (Jungto Society)
After touring the construction site and updating Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the JTS volunteers on the school’s progress, the White Helmets expressed their gratitude to Sunim for his support over the 18 months since the disaster: “Thank you so much for building this school. Many children have suffered through war and earthquakes, and many were unable to receive an education. Thanks to you, many children will now be able to study. We are sincerely grateful.” (Jungto Society)
“I am very pleased that an environment has been created where children will be able to receive an education again,” Ven. Pomnyun Sunim responded. (Jungto Society)
During a follow-up meeting, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim expressed his gratitude to the White Helmets team for their efforts to progress the project. He underscored the importance of ensuring that the facilities would be adequate to accommodate the needs of 4,000 students and emphasized the need to prioritize construction quality and student safety. “Please don’t rush to meet the completion date,” he observed. “It’s important to build the structure safely, so it’s okay to postpone the completion date. I’ll change my schedule and come back, so I hope you won’t hurry too much.” (Jungto Society)
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim also proposed including a memorial space within the school to remember the many students and teachers who lost their lives in the 2023 earthquake and so that the school could become a symbol of hope for the local community: “I would like to erect a memorial to commemorate them, to create a space where we won’t forget their sacrifice.” (Jungto Society)
Despite the progress on this vital project, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim acknowledged that around a million children living in refugee camps in the area were not receiving any education. He proposed introducing an interim system of online education to address the issue until a more permanent solution could be offered.
“The idea is to conduct regular classes at this school and broadcast them through an online system,” Ven. Pomnyun Sunim explained. “How about setting up simple tent schools in the refugee camps for online classes? This way, even with a shortage of teachers, we can educate many children. Children shouldn’t miss the crucial period for education.” (Jungto Society)
The White Helmets agreed to do their best to arrange the necessary infrastructure to enable online classes to be shared with the refugees.
“Let’s give confidence and hope to those who have fallen into despair after suffering from earthquakes and war,” Ven. Pomnyun Sunim remarked. (Jungto Society)
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim is a widely revered Korean Dharma teacher, author, and social activist. He has founded numerous organizations, initiatives, and projects across the world, among them: JTS Korea, an international humanitarian relief organization working to eradicate poverty and hunger; Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddha’s teachings and dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering; Ecobuddha, an organization focused on environmental ethics and sustainable living based on the teachings of the Buddha; and Good Friends, which promotes reconciliation and cooperation between the North and South Korea, and provides humanitarian aid to North Koreans. Ven. Pomnyun Sunim also works closely with the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB).
In October 2020, the Niwano Peace Foundation in Japan presented the 37th Niwano Peace Prize to Ven. Pomnyun Sunim in recognition of his international humanitarian work, intensive environmental and social activism, and his tireless efforts to build trust and goodwill between communities of different faiths and cultures, toward the goal of world peace.**
** Buddhist Monk Ven. Pomnyun Sunim Awarded the 37th Niwano Peace Prize (BDG)
See more
Pomnyun
Jungto Society
JTS Korea
JTS America
Let’s complete this school and give hope to those affected by the earthquake (Jungto Society)
International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB)
Related news reports from BDG
Engaged Buddhism: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim Inaugurates Remodeled Orphanage in Thailand
Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Brings Humanitarian Relief to Sri Lankans Hit by Economic Crisis
Engaged Buddhism Special Report: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and JTS Conduct Emergency Relief in Assam after Severe Floods
Engaged Buddhism Special Report: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim Inaugurates Female Dormitory for Buddhist University in Cambodia
Engaged Buddhism Special Report: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim Explores Sustainable Development in Bhutan
Special Report: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim Leads 10,000 People in Great Dharma Assembly for Peace on the Korean Peninsula
Engaged Buddhism: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and JTS Korea Support Buddhist Nunneries in Bhutan
Engaged Buddhism: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and JTS Volunteers Bring Education to Underprivileged Communities in the Philippines
Related features from BDG
Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism
Sujata Academy: The Power of Hope and Compassion in India
Related columns from BDG
Dharma Q+A With Ven. Pomnyun Sunim
Related videos from BDG
Dharma Q+A with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim
Wisdom Notes from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim
