dear Scott, thank you for your 'off-topic' post and your present policy. I feel strongly that there are times when fundamental human concerns cannot but take first priority. I am pasting below what I have already sent to my American friends, feel free to forward or post it as you think it fit: A letter to the President by the Dalai Lama - (I am neither a Tibetan Buddhist nor an American citizen nor do I live in the States but for me that doesn't matter. Like most of us in the arts I have many American friends and colleagues and have been to the States a number of times - and even if I didn't - how could I not feel with you...) very best wishes from Germany, Iris Tenge Kinkelstr. 10 60385 Frankfurt Germany Tel + 49 - 69 - 444 373 Fax + 49 - 69 - 48 00 18 01 mobile + 49 - 172 - 66 13 033 e-mail i@iristenge.de ______________________________________________ > > A Letter to the President > By the Dalai Lama > > I am deeply shocked by the terrorist attacks that took place involving four > apparently hijacked aircrafts and the immense devastation these caused. It > is a terrible tragedy that so many innocent lives have been lost and it > seems unbelievable that anyone would choose to target the World Trade Center > in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. 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 their lives, those who have > been injured and the many more who have been traumatized by this senseless > act of violence. I am attending a special prayer for the United States and > its people at our main temple today. > > I am confident that the United States as a great and powerful nation will be > able to overcome this present tragedy. The American people have shown their > resilience, courage and determination when faced with such difficult and sad > situations. > > It may seem presumptuous on my part, but I personally believe we need to > think seriously whether a violent reaction is the right thing to do and in > the greater interest of the nation and the people in the long run. I believe > violence will only increase the cycle of violence. 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 you will make the right decision. > >
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