It has been 10 years since terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York.  It was September 11, 2001.  I was on Kauai, Hawaii, serving at Kapaa Hongwanji Mission at that time.  Many tourists who were visiting the Island of Kauai were returning what they had bought to the store.  Due to the closure of the airport for a week, they needed extra money for lodging and meals.  We had observed an interfaith memorial service on the next day of the tragedy at the Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center.  It was packed with full of people to remember all those who were affected by the tragedy.  We all shared our anger and sadness which were caused by the tragedy, and extended our great concerns and pledges for the world peace.

I now believe that although 9/11 tragedy was just one of many tragedies we face today, the date 9/11 gave us an opportunity to reflect upon ourselves and a reason to pursue the world peace, and how we can realize the peace in this present moment.

I recently had an opportunity to attend the memorial service at Wat Promkunaram Temple which is the Thai Buddhist Temple located in West Valley.  The total of nine people was killed on August 20, 1991, and 20th year memorial service was observed at the temple with over 100 Thai priests from all over the country.  It was held in front of the memorial monument of the head abbot who was killed on that day of the tragedy.  Prior to the memorial service, Mrs. Nam Pet, International Thai Leadership Council, who was at the temple on the tragic day showed me where the actually incident was happened and dead bodies were found.  I was overwhelmed with the fact what had happened at the temple.  Thai priests have chanted sutra in Pali and most of the messages were delivered in Thai.  Although I didn’t understand most of their language, I shared the moments of remembering the tragedy and honoring and respecting six priests, a nun, and two followers who were killed in the temple.  The memorial service was also a very precious opportunity for me to listen to the Dharma on how I should live in the Dharma and how I should apply Dharma in my daily life.

I feel that especially after the tragedy such as 9/11, the massacre at Thai Temple 20 years ago, and many other sad incidents which were unreasonably caused, people often use a word “peace” and observe peace activities.  What is the “peace” for you?  In case of 9/11 tragedy, nations started wars.  They took many innocent lives by causing wars.  Osama Bin Ladin who was said to have directed the 9/11 tragedy was killed by US government.  Many people celebrated his death and they emphasized that it was for justice and peace.  However, for me, they were doing same thing as terrorists of 9/11 tragedies.  They were just taking another life.  According to our Teachings which we devote ourselves to follow, there is no justification for taking any life.  However, the other reality is that we may do anything including killing depend on the conditions and situations arise within us.  I may be affecting the people to the incidents against the peace and also I may be affected by the people.  Let us reflect upon ourselves and listen to the Dharma “What can I do to bring the peace?”

Let me share my thoughts on peace using a rock because there are many red rocks in Arizona.  A rock is able to withstand centuries of abuse, human interference, weather conditions, and dust storms.  A rock never hurts anyone or anything by itself.  Alone, a rock is peaceful, nestled in the dirt, unmoving in a meditative state.  A rock is a perfect symbol of peace, as it takes years of abuse without retaliating with violence, sits peacefully, and non harmful.  What do you think? 

Peace begins with you.  Let us practice peace within family, temple, community, nation, and the world.

“Hatred is not overcome by hatred.  It ceases by Love (Compassion).”