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2010/3/23
Earthquake raises doubts about quality of permanent housing units

Taiwan Church News 3029 Edition March 15~21, 2010
Reported by Sam Lee. Written by Lydia Ma.

When permanent housing units were being built in Pinlin Township, Tzu-Chi Buddhist organization claimed that all construction materials used to build "Da-Ai permanent housing units" were imported, earthquake-resistant and high-quality materials.

To investigate whether Tzu-Chi's claims would hold, PCT Rukai District and some village leaders went to work on March 11, exactly one week after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocked southern Taiwan. They visited permanent housing units in Pinlin and discovered cracks along the walls of many houses. According to these investigators, it was baffling that "imported, high-quality materials" could be so fragile.

However, what this team of investigators found even more appalling was seeing a giant screen playing a program hosted by Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation's leader, Master Cheng Yen, right inside the chapel built near the housing units. At the time, the program featured Master Cheng Yen explaining Buddhist texts.

According to these investigators, there were several cracks inside and outside of these newly-built houses. Though they were built to withstand over 10.0-magnitude earthquakes, a few days after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake originating from Jiashian in Kaohsiung County, investigators found cracks in several places.

There was also a notable crack inside the chapel, right below the cross where Buddhist slogans were carved. Kabalelradhane Presbyterian Church pastor, Rev. Palri, believes the crack inside the chapel might just be an indication of God's displeasure over having Buddhist slogans printed on Christian church walls.

Having to listen to Master Cheng Yen preach and forced to obey a set of "New 10 Commandments" displayed inside the new church has offended many Namasiya residents who felt they were being brainwashed.

In response, PCT General Secretary Andrew Chang issued a statement indicating it was very inappropriate to have Tzu-Chi's "New 10 Commandments" displayed inside a Christian church. However, Rev. Chang also pointed out that a review of reconstruction efforts showed the root of problems lay in President Ma and Premier Wu and their policies and strategies.

Rev. Chang pointed out that both leaders often played partisan politics when dealing with Morakot reconstruction projects, resulting in delays over rebuilding new houses for Aborigines and making Aborigines wearier. He said PCT does not want religious differences or disputes to get in the way or become distractions that would further hamper rebuilding efforts.


Submitted by:Taiwan Church Press
 
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