Monk sells temple for tsunami

Vancouver Herald Sun, Jan 6, 2005

Vancouver, Canada -- A Buddhist monk in Canada stunned his congregation by putting his temple up for sale, in a bid to raise half a million dollars for victims of the Asian tsunami tragedy.

'Life is very precious and the loss of life and property during this tragedy of unparalleled proportions is so enormous,' said abbot Thich Nguyen Thao.

'This is the least I could do to provide some comfort to the victims who are suffering unbearably. Their need is urgent and greater than our own,' said the abbot as he touted the temple in a Vancouver suburb.

Buddhists who meet at the building, many of whom fled Vietnam in boats as refugees in the late 1970s, were at first stunned by the monk's announcement - but are now on side.