Dalai Lama's message

[Guest guest]

Passing the candle

-<br>---<br>The Dalai Lama's letter to the

President of the

United States of <br>America<br><br>Your

Excellency,<br><br>I am deeply shocked by the terrorist attacks that

took place <br>involving four apparently hijacked

aircrafts and the immense <br>devastation these caused. It

is a terrible tragedy that so many <br>innocent

lives have been lost and it seems unbelievable that

anyone <br>would choose to target the World Trade Center

in New York City and <br>the Pentagon in Washington

D.C. We are deeply saddened. On behalf of <br>the

Tibetan people I would like to convey our deepest

condolence and <br>solidarity with the American people

during this painful time. Our <br>prayers go out to the

many who have lost their lives, those who have

<br>been injured and the many more who have been

traumatized by this <br>senseless act of violence. I am at

tending a special prayer for the <br>United States and

it's people at our main temple today.<br><br>I am

confident that the United States as a great and powerful

nation <br>will be able to overcome this present

tragedy. The American people <br>have shown their

resilience, courage and determination when faced <br>with

such difficult and sad situation.<br><br>It may seem

presumptuous on my part, but I personally believe we need

<br>to think seriously whether a violent action is the

right thing to do <br>and in the greater interest of

the nation and people in the long run. <br>I believe

violence will only increase the cycle of violence. But how

<br>do we deal with hatred and anger, which are often

the root causes of <br>such senseless violence? This

is a very difficult question, <br>especially when it

concerns a nation and we have certain fixed

<br>conceptions of how to deal with such attacks. I am sure that

you will <br>make the right decision.<br><br>With my

prayers and good wishes<br><br>The Dalai Lama

<br><br>September 12, 2001 <br>Dharamsala, India