Supporting the Rakhine

A Visit to the Last Traces of the Kingdom of Arakan

In the age of Shakyamuni Buddha, there existed a mighty Buddhist kingdom at the border between Bangladesh and Burma, known as the Rakhine. It controlled all merchant trade on the Indian sea. After World War II, when Burma and Bangladesh became independent, the Rakhine were split in two; one becoming Burmese nationals and the other becoming Bangladeshi nationals. Thus the Rakhine became a people without a nation.

In Bangladesh, Buddhist minorities have been a target of persecution since the formation of the country. The Rakhine community remains one of the most neglected and underprivileged in Bangladesh, facing political and economic discrimination. According to some sources, 80% of Rakhine people live in extreme poverty and 70% of the children suffer 3rd degree malnutrition; 80% of youth remain unemployed. Their cultural heritage along with knowledge of their native language is slowly eroding. However, Rakhine children do have their own dreams and hopes, just as our children have, and if they are given a good education...the future of the Rakhine people could become brighter.

In an effort to help the Rakhine community overcome the severe challenges they face, Tao Sangha through its charitable trust, NPO UNI, has initiated a project of support in three villages.  A preparatory school in Chowdhury Para village, near the Burmese border will help Rakhine children reach levels of competency in order to pass the entrance exams for junior high school. Currently, only about 20% of primary school children are able to attend high school. Rakhine language instruction will also be given under the tutelage of three teachers.  

In the village of Khurushkul, near Cox’s Bazar, five teachers have been hired and 100 students will be able to attend elementary school. And in Alikadam village, NPO UNI will help support an orphanage to provide full care for 20 children with three teachers and a cook . The implementation of a foster parent plan is being considered to provide additional support to the orphans.

In the Amitayus Sutra it is written that one vow of the Bodhisattva is to “rescue the suffering of poverty.” Through this project Tao Sangha aims to enable the Rakhine community to receive the education they need in order to stand on their own feet and to no longer rely on outside sources for their survival. A wonderful thing for their spirit and their own bright future...!

The Heart Of Communication: Connecting the Human Heart Through Deep Listening

What is meaningful for people? What are we looking for to make a difference in our lives?  Don’t we all want to be listened to? To be heard? To not feel so alone? A four week Heart of Communication course begins to answer these questions and to help us move towards happiness. I have taught communication courses before but when I first had the opportunity to lead the “Heart of Communication” I was amazed at how simple and profound the experience was for people. I saw people marvel at the depth of insight and feeling that was reached in such simple exercises. I was very happy to lead this workshop and am very grateful to have had such a powerful opportunity.      - J.C.

After the course, participants shared some of their experiences:
I realized that the loneliness I feel is an illusion. Deep down there is a part of us that is strongly connected to each other .
The workshop provided me with tools and reflections on how to bring this openness into everyday life. A great opening for me just sharing with others.
WOW ! I am really happy about this workshop. Simple but powerful deep down inside. It is amazing how just by listening to the other person, we can be supportive, even without giving our advice.

Children’s Day Celebration and UNI Market


The Japanese holiday of Children's Day was celebrated on May 10th at the Tao Sangha Center in Madison, Wisconsin, Colorful carp kites fluttered overhead as people played games in the street, ate yummy food, and children made their own small carp kites.

Since carp are known for their strength and determination as they swim upstream against powerful currents, the carp image on each kite symbolizes the wish for children to grow up healthy, brave, and strong.

A UNI Market** accompanied the Children's Day festivities to raise funds for NPO UNI's aid projects. All goods and services were bought and sold in UNI currency.

At the UNI market large and small recycled goods, hand-made craft items & herb tea blends were for sale. Hula hoop and salsa dance lessons were offered as well as short shiastu treatments, and mini lessons in bicycle repair.

Over $300 was raised that will contribute to the well-being and bright future of Rakhine children in Bangladesh.…

** A UNI market is a market where goods and services are exchanged for UNI, the international community currency used in all areas where Tao Sangha is active. Based on the ancient tithing system, every time UNI dollars are exchanged for goods and services, 10% of the proceeds are donated towards charitable projects.

 Ki and Heart School Corner

Going the path of Ki Shin Do (The Way of Ki and Heart)
What is the reason to practice Ki shin Do?
It’s to receive unification with The One, to get relief from dark karma,
and to realize a bright future.
It’s to make clear the meaning of being born as a human being,
and unify with all beings to become richer spiritually, and physically.
It’s to encounter the real self as a bright existence,
to realize one’s dream and live true life.
Ki Shin Do:
It’s the guidance for the spiritual awakening.
It’s for the people, for the earth and for all beings.

Tao Shiatsu Patient Story

I was introduced to Tao Shiatsu about three years ago. I had tried different types of massage and physical therapy for years, with little success, to treat what had been diagnosed as a moderately bulging disc in my lower back. My back problem was over twenty years old and recently the right side of my back would go into spasm. Sometimes I wasn’t able to tie my shoes. A doctor even commented that I appeared to have scoliosis, a condition that no one had suggested before.
My first Tao Shiatsu treatment was different from anything I had ever felt. The practitioner found a spot in my back that no one had ever found before. I decided to continue treatment (I don't consider it a massage anymore) for a few weeks.
A few days after my second or third treatment, I felt a new pain in my right hip. The next day, my right knee and to my surprise, my back, felt much better. I could drive the long distances that my work as a salesman required, without pain!  Now after having received treatments on and off over two years, I have no more back pain. I don’t know exactly what my disc is doing; if it is bulging, I don’t feel it.
I do understand that compassion is the most important emotion in my life. When I feel pain I check my emotional state, I know they are related. Tao Shiatsu has changed my perception of pain. There are ample reasons to feel pain in this world of injustice and anger. I pray for compassion for all living things. I am very grateful for  the role that Tao Shiatsu has had in this realization.  
 - S.S.

North America Workshops and Training 2008

Sept. 18-20          Tao Shiatsu - advanced        Toronto
Sept. 21-23          Nembutsu - practitioners         Toronto
Sept. 18-19          Tao Shiatsu - parents & kids    Toronto
Sept. 21-23          Tao Shiatsu - all levels        Toronto

Tao Shiatsu Certification Programs:

Toronto: Tao Shiatsu Introductory Course - begins in September 2008, and consists of four weekend seminars held once per month

Madison: Tao Shiatsu Introductory Course - begins September 2008, and consists of ten Wednesday nights and five weekend seminars

Total hours from the Introductory Course will be included for those students wishing to continue their practice towards Tao Shiatsu Certification. For more information, please contact your local Tao Sangha Centre