Natural disasters are merciless. Whenever catastrophe strikes, people across the nation unite in support—from coordinated government efforts to spontaneous assistance from ordinary citizens, from prominent business leaders to people living on the streets. Countless individuals have selflessly contributed during disasters such as the Wenchuan earthquake, the Henan floods, the Chongqing wildfires, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck Luding County, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province, on September 5, 2022, likewise touched the hearts of people throughout the country. Rather than focusing on the rescue efforts, I would like to share the story of Luo Yong, a hydraulic engineer at Wandong Hydropower Station.
Luo Yong was responsible for managing the dam gates at the power station. When the earthquake struck, he was resting in his dormitory. Instead of choosing to flee immediately, he rushed to the dam shoulder, which stood approximately ten stories high, to open the floodgates and release water. His actions prevented the river from overflowing the dam and flooding downstream villages. He remained trapped until he was rescued by helicopter on the afternoon of September 8, having been stranded for a total of 75 hours.
According to Luo Yong, he first heard a tremendous roaring sound while in his dormitory. When he ran outside, he saw rocks flying down from the mountains. Amid the chaos, he noticed that no water was flowing through the dam gates. He immediately decided to forgo his own escape and open the floodgates.
He explained, “If too much time passed, the river water would overflow the dam and threaten the safety of hundreds of people in the villages below. I had to raise the floodgates as quickly as possible.”
By that time, the road leading to the gates had already been buried by falling rocks. After waiting until the rockfall subsided somewhat, Luo climbed the steep landslide slope to the dam shoulder and successfully opened Floodgates No. 1 and No. 2.
After ensuring that water was being released from the dam, he went to the powerhouse and shut off the electrical system for safety reasons. By then, however, he had missed the best opportunity to escape. That night, he and a colleague, Gan Yu, remained at the station waiting for rescue.
“There was rubble everywhere, no cell phone signal, no food, and the upstream barrier lake kept rising. Aftershocks continued, and rocks were still falling from the mountains. I couldn’t sleep all night,” Luo recalled.
Since the hydropower station was surrounded by mountains and at risk of landslides, Luo and Gan Yu attempted to escape the following day. During their journey, they managed to contact other colleagues and learned that two rescue teams were already nearby. Because Gan Yu was physically exhausted, Luo returned alone to the power station.
“I thought I needed to make a fire so that someone might know where I was,” he said. He found a lighter in the ruins, gathered dry wood from a downstream village, and started a fire. About half an hour later, someone spotted the smoke and immediately notified the rescue team, which came to save him.
After being taken to the hospital, Luo Yong recovered without serious injury. Rescue teams from Shimian County then set out on foot to search for Gan Yu. May he return safely.
Luo Yong said:
“The moment I saw the helicopter flying into the village, I was overwhelmed with emotion. When I rushed up the slope to open the floodgates, I had already prepared myself for the possibility of losing my life. But if one life can save hundreds of others, then I must do it.”
These simple yet powerful words struck me deeply. This is true selflessness. I believe no one can hear such words without being moved.
His statement reminded me of something taught by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III:
“Serving and benefiting living beings is a profound expression of Buddhist practice.”
Luo Yong, an ordinary worker, placed the greater good above his own safety and was willing to risk his life to protect others. I deeply admire his spirit of selflessness.
As a Buddhist disciple studying the true Buddha Dharma, I feel greatly humbled by his example. I should learn from his selfless heart and dedicate myself to doing more things that benefit living beings. I should cultivate according to the two fundamental principles taught in The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation expounded by Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, striving toward liberation from birth and death.
At the same time, I sincerely hope that more people will learn the true Buddha Dharma, so that disasters may be reduced and the world may become a better place.
Written by: Min Er
Edited by: Li Ju Ban Kai
Learn more about H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III
Link: https://dharma-hhdorjechangbuddhaiii.org/when-disaster-struck-he-chose-not-to-escape/
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Luo Yong’s selfless courage is a powerful reminder that true compassion means putting the welfare of others before oneself.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III once instructed the public: Serving sentient beings and benefiting sentient beings is itself the most profound practice of Buddhism. Luo Yong demonstrated the brilliance of humanity during the Luding earthquake.
Luo Yong’s courage and selflessness are truly inspiring.