Written By Hsiu-Lien Chu, Ching-Chun Lin | India
On September 17, 2024, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Buddha’s Homeland team (a team of international volunteers stationed in India and Nepal to carry out the “Giving Back to the Buddha’s Homeland” project) continued their regular tasks. The charity team conducted home visits, while the education team practiced sign language and surveyed venues for distributing shoes. The medical team headed to Jagdishpur village, where they have been promoting the initiative to encourage villagers to swap alcohol for Masala tea since March.
Suffering in the Land of Buddha's Enlightenment
Incessant rain over the past few days made the Niranjan River swell. Ching-Chun Lin, a Taiwanese volunteer who had previously visited, remarked on the transformation from a dried-up riverbed to near full capacity, reflecting on the impermanence of nature and the importance of showing respect and gratitude to it.
As the team traveled through rural areas, the smell of livestock and manure filled the air, though the sight of lush green rice fields swaying in the wind brought a sense of peace. Approaching the Dungeswari Hills, the volunteers were reminded of Buddha’s six years of ascetic practice in search of enlightenment. Although Buddhism once thrived in ancient India, today, few followers remain, with only the sacred Prag Bodhi Caves serving as a reminder of the past.
Promoting Tea Instead of Alcohol, Joy in Serving the Villagers
LEFT: Ranjeet Kumar believes replacing alcohol with tea is a good strategy to help villagers avoid alcohol. | Photo by Hsiu-Lien Chu | India | 2024/09/17 RIGHT: The houses in Bakrour Bazaar vary, with brick homes, mud houses, and low straw huts, the latter often covered with plastic sheets. | Photo by Hsiu-Lien Chu | India | 2024/09/17
Upon arriving at the outskirts of Jagdishpur village, the team stopped at Ajay Kumar’s grocery store. Endrajeet Paswan, a medical volunteer, led the group to visit various homes, offering Masala tea packages and checking on villagers’ health. Badri Saw, a recovering alcoholic, expressed his gratitude, saying his health had improved since he stopped drinking, and his wife, Jayanti Devi, shared her happiness over his recovery.
LEFT: Volunteer Manish Kumar gives a tea bag to Chamdramuni Devi, with Endrajeet bowing beside them to express deep gratitude. | Photo by Hsiu-Lien Chu | India | 2024/09/17 RIGHT: The medical team visits Jagdishpur village, distributing Masala tea to villagers who’ve quit drinking, while also checking on a baby with a cleft lip. | Photo by Hsiu-Lien Chu | India | 2024/09/17
Volunteers also visited other villagers, offering tea and encouraging them to stay committed to quitting alcohol. Some, like Chamdramuni Devi, noted the positive health impacts of drinking tea instead of alcohol, while others were still in the early stages of quitting but appreciated the support.
Volunteers Take Pride in Advocating for Alcohol-Free Lives
LEFT: Jagdishpur village lies beneath the Dungeswari Hills, where the Prag Bodhi Caves attracts pilgrims and tourists. | Photo by Hsiu-Lien Chu | India | 2024/09/17 RIGHT: Tzu Chi volunteer Karan Kumar tells the villagers, “When you drink alcohol, your money is gone. But if you drink Masala tea, your health improves, and family relationships strengthen.” | Photo by Hsiu-Lien Chu | India | 2024/09/17
The medical team continued their visits, despite the challenging conditions in some areas, helping villagers navigate their way toward better health and stronger communities. Volunteers like Karan Kumar and Prince Kumar, both local students, assisted in distributing tea and engaging with villagers about the benefits of quitting alcohol. Karan shared how saving money by quitting alcohol could be used for children’s education, while Prince expressed his pride in contributing to his community.
LEFT: The Bakrour Bazaar looks nothing like a market. Its winding, uneven roads are either dry or filled with puddles, and Ranjeet must carefully navigate around cow and goat dung while dragging his bag. | Photo by Hsiu-Lien Chu | India | 2024/09/17 RIGHT: Villagers in Bakrour Bazaar have been alcohol-free for six months. After receiving Masala tea, they happily pose for a group photo with the volunteers. (First left: Endrajeet, First right: Ranjeet) | Photo by Hsiu-Lien Chu | India | 2024/09/17
As the day drew to a close, volunteer Ranjeet Kumar reflected on the progress made in the village. “Helping the villagers break free from alcohol addiction has been deeply rewarding,” he shared, noting the tangible improvements in their health and well-being. Through Tzu Chi’s continued support, these small yet impactful changes have sparked hope and a sense of pride within the community. With each step forward, the villagers grow more determined to lead healthier, alcohol-free lives, paving the way for a brighter future.
