On the Terror Attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.

Master Sheng-yen of Dharma Drum Mountain Calls for Peace and Great Love

9/12/2001

"While praying for victims of this tragic event, we hope that the public will face the event rationally, and will not further the conflicts between nations and religions with deeper hatred. With great love and compassion, we ought to protect the prospect of future peace for all humankind," Master Sheng-yen, leader of Dharma Drum Mountain International, said with great sadness upon hearing the news of the attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. He also pointed out that we should face this calamity with calmness, and that meeting violence with violence will not solve the problem; it will only aggravate the endless cycle of revenge.

Master Sheng-yen states that this is a great human tragedy on the dawn of the twenty first century. Although the event happened in the United States, it affects everyone everywhere in the world. It disturbs people's minds and strikes fear into their hearts. Therefore he calls for religious leaders around the world to pray for the victims of this tragic event and to work to ease people's fear and calm their minds in its aftermath.

As for dealing with the perpetrators of this horrendous crime, Master Sheng-yen calls for "proper, reasonable handling that does not harm the innocents." He especially warns against vengeful acts so that we do not initiate a cycle of endless killing. Master Sheng-yen points out that numerous factors must have accumulated for a long time that have led the perpetrators to apply such violent and extreme methods. The violence of such acts is the result of an extremist misinterpretation of a religious doctrine. 

On this subject, Master Sheng-yen solemnly emphasizes that, "if one finds that the doctrines of one's faith contain something that is in contradiction with the promotion of peace, one should make new interpretations of these relevant doctrines," a point he also made in the Millennium Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders in August 2000. "Since all religions advocate peace, forgiveness, love, departing from hell and entering paradise, such ferocious acts should never have occurred."

In response to the urgent call of its leader, Dharma Drum Mountain International has mobilized its branches and affiliates around the world to pray for those who suffer from this grave event. The Chan Meditation Center in Queens, New York, will participate fully in the rescue and relief efforts of the city in every way it can.