Cross-strait Buddhists to hold service for tsunami-hit countries
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-12-31 00:16

Buddhists from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan will hold a joint prayer service for the benefit of the countries that were hit by brutal tidal waves caused by a 8.7-magnitude earthquake in the Indian Ocean.

Scheduled for Jan. 1, the service will involve renowned Buddhists from across the Taiwan Straits and thousands of Buddhist followers.

According to the Buddhist Association of China, the service sponsor, the activity will be held at the renowned Lingguang Temple, on the western outskirts of Beijing.

A monetary donation will also be available then and the charity money collected will be delivered to China's Red Cross on the spot, it said.

"The terrible disaster in Southeast Asia has shocked the Chinese people, especially the Buddhists," it said, adding that many disaster victims were Buddhists.

The association also said more than 20 temples from the mainland and Taiwan have donated to relief efforts.

More than 120,000 have been confirmed killed by the waves in Indian Ocean.

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