Editing Ching Hai (section)

==Humanitarian aid and philanthropy==
A 1996 [[United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs|United States Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs]] report states "Published criticisms of Ching Hai generally fail to credit her organization's good works. Her members reportedly are active in many [[Humanitarian aid|humanitarian]] and [[Charity (practice)|charitable]] causes...Ching Hai's greatest humanitarian activity continues to be working for the more than 20,000 [[Vietnamese boat people|Vietnamese refugees]] still in camps dispersed throughout Southeast Asia." The report also lists humanitarian aid to the victims of: [[1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo]] in the Philippines, the [[Great Flood of 1993]] in the United States and the 1995 [[Famine|food shortage]] crisis in [[Cambodia]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs |first=United States Congress |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YUBBozZSz0kC&dq=%22ching+hai%22+%22humanitarian%22&pg=PA2798 |title=Investigation of Illegal Or Improper Activities in Connection with 1996 Federal Election Campaign: Final Report |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |year=1998 |pages=2798 |language=en}}</ref> According to a report issued by the [[Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy]] in Hong Kong: Prior to the 1997 [[Handover of Hong Kong]], Hai donated 6 million dollars to Vietnamese refugees and other people who needed help.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 February 2001 |title=China: Meditation practice called "Kuan Yin Famen" (Guanyin Famen, Guanyin Method, Quanyin Famen); treatment of practitioners, particularly in Shandong |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be1b34.html |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Refworld.com |language=en}}</ref>

Upon receiving the [[Gusi Peace Prize]] in 2006, Political journalist Fel Maragay wrote in the [[Manila Standard]] that while "to her disciples and admirers, she is a messenger from the world of spirituality who has set the directions their lives aright by teaching them "method of enlightenment" through meditation", to the people she provides humanitarian assistance; "she is a [[Parable of the Good Samaritan|good Samaritan]] who has come to their [[Aid|succor]] during times of natural calamities. She has always carried out her charitable mission without [[Publicity|fanfare]] in any country hit by major disasters.".<ref name="Maragay" />

[[ReliefWeb]] cites Hai Humanitarian aid to the victims of [[1996 Bangladesh tornado]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=1996-05-24 |title=Bangladesh - Storm. DHA Information Report No. 7 - Bangladesh {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/bangladesh/bangladesh-storm-dha-information-report-no-7 |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}</ref> the [[2009 Angola, Namibia and Zambia floods|2009 Namibia floods]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-03-31 |title=Namibia: Breweries donates to flood victims - Namibia {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/namibia/namibia-breweries-donates-flood-victims |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}</ref> the [[2015 European migrant crisis]] via the [[Croatian Red Cross]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-12-01 |title=Croatia: Population Movement Emergency Plan of Action Operation update n° 1 - Croatia {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/croatia/croatia-population-movement-emergency-plan-action-operation-update-n-1 |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}</ref> and in 2017 to [[Refugees of South Sudan|South Sudanese refugees]] via the [[Sudanese Red Crescent]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-19 |title=Sudan: Population Movement Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) MDRSD022 - Final Report - Sudan {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/sudan-population-movement-emergency-plan-action-epoa-mdrsd022-final-report |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}</ref> Humanitarian aid has also been reported in local news outlets in [[Florida]] (USA) during [[Hurricane Ian]],<ref>{{Cite web |title='We didn't let anything stop us': Nonprofit feeds thousands after Hurricane Ian |url=https://www.marconews.com/story/news/2022/10/07/tony-mansolillo-his-mission-feed-has-gained-new-import-since-ian/8205372001/ |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=Marco Island Florida |language=en-US}}</ref> 2011 flood victims in [[Belize]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 July 2012 |title=International Organization Donates Flood Relief |url=https://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=22953 |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=www.7newsbelize.com}}</ref> 2018 [[2018 Northern Province floods (Sri Lanka)|Northern Province floods]] in Sri Lanka,<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2019 |title=385 More Jaffna Families with Army Initiative Get More Relief Packs, Each worth Thousands {{!}} Sri Lanka Army |url=https://www.army.lk/news/385-more-jaffna-families-army-initiative-get-more-relief-packs-each-worth-thousands? |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=www.army.lk}}</ref> 2020 [[COVID-19 pandemic|Covid-19]] support for [[Ghana Red Cross Society]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 October 2011 |title=Kwaebibirem flood victims receive relief items |work=ModernGhana.com |url=https://www.modernghana.com/blogs/354844/kwaebibirem-flood-victims-receive-relief-items.html |access-date=27 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2020 |title=COVID-19: Ghana Red Cross Society Receives US$150,000.00 from Supreme Master Ching Hai |url=https://thenewindependentonline.com/2020/06/27/covid-19-ghana-red-cross-society-receives-us150000-00-from-supreme-master-ching-hai/ |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=The New Independent Online |language=en-US}}</ref> 2022 [[2022 India–Bangladesh floods|Assam floods]] in India.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-08-28 |title=Flood Relief: Guwahati, August 2022 |url=https://media.belurmath.org/flood-relief-guwahati-august-2022-9009/ |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=[[Ramakrishna Mission]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In Taiwan, Hai has been active in [[Homeless street outreach]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-09 |title=清海無上師世界會贈冬衣 盼新北街友穿新衣禦寒 |url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E6%B8%85%E6%B5%B7%E7%84%A1%E4%B8%8A%E5%B8%AB%E4%B8%96%E7%95%8C%E6%9C%83%E8%B4%88%E5%86%AC%E8%A1%A3-%E7%9B%BC%E6%96%B0%E5%8C%97%E8%A1%97%E5%8F%8B%E7%A9%BF%E6%96%B0%E8%A1%A3%E7%A6%A6%E5%AF%92-173558335.html |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=Yahoo News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=自由時報電子報 |date=2018-08-06 |title=清海無上師世界會 捐洗澡車助街友 - 生活 |url=https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/2510801 |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=自由時報電子報 |language=zh-Hant-TW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-06 |title=屏縣遊民收容所歲末年終關懷 邀街友團圓迎新年 |url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E5%B1%8F%E7%B8%A3%E9%81%8A%E6%B0%91%E6%94%B6%E5%AE%B9%E6%89%80%E6%AD%B2%E6%9C%AB%E5%B9%B4%E7%B5%82%E9%97%9C%E6%87%B7-%E9%82%80%E8%A1%97%E5%8F%8B%E5%9C%98%E5%9C%93%E8%BF%8E%E6%96%B0%E5%B9%B4-184300541.html |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=Yahoo News |language=en}}</ref> In 2018 Lu Wei-Ching, [[deputy mayor]] of [[New Taipei City]] stated that "the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association has always paid attention to the disadvantaged, and usually donates all kinds of clothes and shoes to the homeless.".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-06 |title=宗教團體再捐街友洗澡車 盼「洗盡前塵、重新出發」 |url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E5%AE%97%E6%95%99%E5%9C%98%E9%AB%94%E5%86%8D%E6%8D%90%E8%A1%97%E5%8F%8B%E6%B4%97%E6%BE%A1%E8%BB%8A-%E7%9B%BC-%E6%B4%97%E7%9B%A1%E5%89%8D%E5%A1%B5-%E9%87%8D%E6%96%B0%E5%87%BA%E7%99%BC-093632825.html |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=Yahoo News |language=en}}</ref> Hai's website chronologically lists 1663 overall donations and instances of humanitarian aid between the years 1989 to 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Humanitarian Relief Activities by the Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association |url=http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/humanitarian/index1.php?Page=1&RowsOfPage=1000&nation=All&category=All&keyword= |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw}}</ref>

Hai has created a series of awards under the [[Umbrella title]] "World Shining Awards",<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-01 |title=Good deed earns an award |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/news/a-love-of-animals-shared/HF6HWIXQEIONIVKYYFRITVA2KM/ |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Animal water bowl project wins big award |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2020/dec/19/animal-water-bowl-project-wins-big-award-2238177.html |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=The New Indian Express|date=19 December 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-11-16 |title=Animal rights group wins award |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-16/animal-rights-group-wins-award/1143472 |access-date=2023-05-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-12-24 |title=Sebbie Hall: Teenager's daily acts of kindness lead to foundation launch |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-59668942 |access-date=2023-05-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shining World Awards |url=http://award.godsdirectcontact.net/en/ |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=award.godsdirectcontact.net}}</ref> "...to recognize some of the most exemplary, generous, caring, and courageous people who walk amongst us and go beyond the call of duty to help others unconditionally".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-21 |title=Couple from Srinagar bags Shining World Compassion Award for rehabilitation of animals |url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/srinagar/couple-from-srinagar-bags-shining-world-compassion-award-for-rehabilitation-of-animals |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=Greater Kashmir |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Annabel |date=10 March 2021 |title=Power to the People |url=https://www.prestigeonline.com/sg/people/power-to-the-people-dipa-swaminathan-of-its-raining-raincoats-on-supporting-migrant-workers/ |access-date=18 May 2024 |work=[[Prestige Hong Kong]]}}</ref> A representative of Hai Association stated to [[The Washington Post]] that "An association committee selects individuals and organizations for donations based on their efforts to help others....Hai provides the money for the awards from the proceeds of her businesses, which include jewelry, clothing and vegetarian restaurants".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Terhune |first=Virginia |date=2012-02-29 |title=Bowie teacher receives $10,000 for work in Gambia |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/bowie-teacher-receives-10000-for-work-in-gambia/2012/02/28/gIQAuuO7hR_story.html |access-date=2023-05-27 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

Award recipients included organizations such as the [[Department of Environmental Affairs (South Africa)]] of its efforts to protect [[Pinniped|Seals]],<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-08-26 |title=SA recognised for seal protection |url=https://brandsouthafrica.com/105243/seals-260811/ |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=BrandSouthAfrica.com |language=en-ZA}}</ref> the [[Iranian Red Crescent Society]], for its humanitarian aid to victims of the [[2008 Sichuan earthquake]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-11-12 |title=IRCS received 'Shining World Compassion Award' |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/182362/IRCS-received-Shining-World-Compassion-Award |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref> and [[International Animal Rescue|International Animal Rescue Indonesia]] for its work saving critically endangered orangutans in [[Borneo]], [[Deforestation in Indonesia|protecting rainforest]] habitats and encouraging sustainable community development.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IAR Indonesia receives award for compassionate conservation from international humanitarian organisation |url=https://www.internationalanimalrescue.org/news/iar-indonesia-receives-award-compassionate-conservation-international-humanitarian-organisation |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=International Animal Rescue |language=en}}</ref> Or to individuals, such as a young boy from [[Ohio]] who bought special [[Cape (dog)|harnesses]] to [[Police dog]]s,<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Alicia |last1=Barrera |first2=Steven |last2=Chavez |date=2021-01-28 |title=11-year-old Ohio boy raises money, buys vests for SAPD K9 officers worth over $21,000 |url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2021/01/28/11-year-old-ohio-boy-raises-money-buys-vests-for-sapd-k9-officers-worth-total-of-10000/ |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=KSAT |language=en}}</ref> a lady from India for inventing non violent [[silk]] [[saris]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Art of making 'non-violent' silk saris |url=https://www.theweekendleader.com/Innovation/299/silk-sans-guilt.html |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=www.theweekendleader.com |language=English}}</ref>