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His Holiness the Dalai Lama leads special prayer for US tragedy victims
13 September, 2001: His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, the Chairman of the Cabinet, and other Tibetan officials and monks at Tsuklag Khang, Dharamsala, India. September 12, 2001. (Photo: Lobsang Wangyal)
Dharamsala September 13, 2001: A special prayer for the victims of the terrorist attack in United States was led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama yesterday, at Tsuklag Khang, or Main Temple, in Dharamsala.
Besides the newly elected Chairman of the Cabinet, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, and Mr. Thupten Lungrik, Chairman of the Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies (Tibetan Parliament), the prayer meeting was joined by officials of the Tibetan government in exile and Tibetans living in Dharamsala. Many tourists and local Indians joined the prayer meeting, held around 2 PM.
Earlier His Holiness the Dalai Lama sent a letter to President George Bush expressing his "shock and sadness", and solidarity with the American people after hearing the tragic events in New York City and Washington, D.C.
"It is a terrible tragedy that so many innocent lives have been lost… We are deeply saddened. On behalf of the Tibetan people I would like to convey our deepest condolence and solidarity with the American people during this painful time. Our prayers go out to the many who have lost lives, those who have been injured and the many more who have been traumatised by this senseless act of violence," stated His Holiness.
The Nobel Laureate further stressed the "need to think seriously" on the part of all concerned about the "greater interest of the nation and the people in the long run" before taking any steps.
His Holiness cautioned against any violent reaction. "I believe violence will only increase the cycle of violence."
The exiled leader appealed for a calm and considered response to the attacks, which have unleashed a wave of anger and revulsion across the United States.
"But how do we deal with hatred and anger, which are often the root causes of such senseless violence? This is a very difficult question, especially when it concerns a nation and we have certain fixed conceptions of how to deal with such attacks. I am sure that you will make the right decision."
More than a thousand people joined His Holiness the Dalai Lama to pray for the victims.
Full text of His Holiness' condolence message
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