Reports on Relief Activities for the 911 Disaster
in the United States (2)

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News 126, Love in Action

With 20 disciples from the Boston Center, a group of fellow practitioners from the New Jersey Center drove to New York City to join members of the New York rescue team, who had joined the Salvation Army (one of the oldest rescue organizations in the U. S.) and the Red Cross to help in relief work for victims of the World Trade Center disaster and visit patients in the hospital. Many people lined up for eight hours to donate blood, and many touching events occurred, as indifferent New Yorkers finally showed their true love for each other.

Communications in New York City in the aftermath of the disaster have not been easy, so our cellular phones from New Jersey have become the main bridge between the disaster site and the relief center, and between many of our centers, since all the TV and cellular phone satellite towers on the World Trade Center totally collapsed in the September 11 explosion. Thanks to God's loving grace, all fellow practitioners in the New York area are safe and able to help others.

[Boston, Massachusetts, USA] While we were in shock after hearing the TV news regarding the World Trade Center attack on the morning of Sept. 11, Master called the Boston Center and asked initiates to go to New York to help the victims of the disaster. Some Boston disciples gathered with New Jersey fellow practitioners, and immediately went to the New York Center to begin working with New York initiates. Without Master's guidance, we would have remained in shock and in a state of mourning.

[Pennsylvania, USA] Local initiates in Pennsylvania held a group prayer and meditation session on the night of Tuesday, September 11, immediately after the attacks on New York City and Arlington, Virginia.

We also walked to the local Salvation Army and American Red Cross in Philadelphia, because New York City had closed its tunnels, preventing entry into the city by car. Both organizations assured us that they were facilitating relief operations to address the New York disaster problems and that our working with them would serve the New York relief efforts.

We contributed US$5,000 to the Salvation Army, so that they would make their own purchases with our cash contribution (money order). Ms. P. Desantis of the Salvation Army said she would be happy to contact members of our organization to serve as volunteers during the ordeal.

[Virginia, USA] On September 11, 2001, Virginia initiates learned that two airplanes had destroyed the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York. A few moments later, the Pentagon caught fire after an attack from another airplane. The Pentagon is in the city of Arlington in the state of Virginia. As were most people in the U. S., we were in a state of shock and did not know what to do.

However, within a short time, the telephone began ringing constantly. The headquarters of our Association forwarded Master's message that we should begin the rescue effort right away. She asked us to go directly to the disaster areas to help the victims.

	Presenting a contribution to Colonel Thomas Lewis, National Chief Secretary of the Salvation Army at its National Headquarters in Washington, DC
	Presenting a contribution to Ms. Anita W. Parker, Chief Development Officer, Department of Public Support of the American Red Cross' National Capital Chapter in Washington, DC
	Presenting a contribution to Ms. Jeanne Mitchell, Chief Development and Communications Officer and Ms. Becky Huber, Public Support Coordinator of Virginia's Arlington County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

We took action right away, however, the route to the Pentagon in particular, and all routes to Washington, DC in general, had been blocked off, so we are unable to enter the disaster site to help.

We then went to the Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross, and donated US$ 10,000 to the organization, and next to the Virginia Hospital Center, where many victims had been brought in from the Pentagon for medical diagnosis. The fire at the Pentagon injured many people, but only a few had lost their lives. Many non-profit and voluntary organizations had been organized under a command center to carry out various tasks. We contributed US$ 2,000 to Crisis Link, a non-profit organization handling a suicide hotline and now taking care of telephone calls from people looking for their relatives among the victims, to help with their contact work.

The next day, several fellow disciples from the Kentucky Center arrived after driving 12 hours from their area. They had received Master's message that everyone should immediately try to carry out relief work. We contacted various Red Cross offices and blood donation centers. But so many people had volunteered to donate blood that some had to wait up to six hours in certain places. Next, we received Master's guidance to contact the National Office of the American Red Cross and the National Salvation Army, and contributed US$ 51,000 to each in the name of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association. The officials and workers of these two organizations were very touched. They offered their gratitude to Master for Her quick action in helping to alleviate the victims' pain. They also received sample booklets and Master's News magazines, and asked us about recipes for vegetarian cooking.

We then went back to the Virginia Hospital Center to find out more about the victims' condition. The local volunteer agencies were running at maximum efficiency; victims were being treated with the best care in one of the best facilities in the world. The Hospital Administrator asked us to leave our number so that she could contact us in the future. We then contacted the local Salvation Army to get information about supplying food to the professional and volunteer workers at the scene. We bought water, bread, cheese and men's work boots, dog food (dogs were used to sniff for people still stuck under buildings), kneepads and sunglasses to supply the workers and delivered them to the Salvation Army to pass on to the Pentagon relief staff.

During this time, we deeply experienced the impermanence of life. Without a living Master to guide us physically and spiritually, we would not have had the confidence and courage to remain calm in order to serve humanity at this tumultuous time in history. We are grateful to Master for helping and guiding us to assist in the relief work.

[Kentucky, USA] On Master's instructions, and disregarding their fatigue, Kentucky fellow practitioners drove through the night to the Virigina Center on September 11, 2001, to have the opportunity to learn the lesson of love.

The 12-hour trip from Kentucky to the Virginia Center seemed longer than usual, since each of us was anxious to be there at the scene of the action. The way to the city is somewhat complicated, especially for those unfamiliar with the area. In addition, we had a sleepless night and a long car journey, so we became lost. However, our initiate driver used his intuition and soon arrived at the right address! Of course, we roared with joy, knowing once again that Master is with us at all times.

	Ohio fellow practitioners hold lit candles and pray that their meditation merit will go to the victims of the recent US tragedies and their families.

[Ohio, USA] Over the weekend of September 15th, fellow practitioners from Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky, and Indiana gathered at the Ohio Center for a two-day retreat to meditate and pray for the victims in the USA and their families.

In addition, daily group meditation will continue to be available at the Ohio Center so that local practitioners can meditate more after working hours during this time of crisis. Let us all keep praying that God's love and wisdom will illuminate anyone touched by this tragedy, so that it may have the most positive outcome for all.

[Houston, USA] Master's call to action awakened us from our initial shock over the World Trade Center and Pentagon tragedies, and helped us to focus on what we could do to improve the physical, mental, and spiritual state of the victims.

Although we are over a thousand miles from the tragedy, our hearts reached out to all the innocent victims of the disaster through group prayer-meditation session that were held each night during the week of September11. In addition, we allocated US$5,000 from the Houston Center's account to use for disaster relief. Finally, we heard on the news that much blood will be needed in the near future and we strongly encouraged all capable initiates to sign up to donate blood in an effort to save lives.

We will continue to monitor this situation closely and if there is anything we can do to help uplift the physical, mental, and spiritual state of the victims we will do it without question. We all pray that this tragic incident helps to unite the people of the world and brings peace in the near future.

[Hawaii, USA] Hawaii Center initiates sent a check for $1,000 to the Bank of America to assist in the September 11 disaster relief efforts. Besides, the Hawaii Center will remain open indefinitely for prayer and group meditation sessions for world peace. We are also encouraging our friends and families to ask others to please pray for all the victims, and their families and loved ones.

[Los Angeles, USA] On the weekend of September 15 and 16, 2001, hundreds of fellow initiates from the Los Angeles Center gathered for a two-day prayer and meditation retreat to benefit the victims of the September 11 attacks in New York City and Arlington, Virginia and their families, and to promote peace for the whole of humankind. Master's blessing power was strongly felt as initiates remained serious in tone but strong in their belief in Her infinite love and compassion, which has the power to melt the hatred and conflicts among people.

Several disciples from the Los Angeles area volunteered to go to help with the relief work being carried out in New York and Virginia by disciples from centers in the eastern U. S. In addition, a number of Los Angeles Center initiates opened up their homes and businesses for extended group meditation sessions throughout the week for an indefinite period, to help uplift the consciousness of the Earth's population and promote greater harmony among humans.

A total of US$20,000 was contributed by Los Angeles Center disciples to assist in alleviating the suffering of the disaster victims and their families. We hope and pray that God will grant Heirs infinite grace to humanity in its future pursuit of peace and freedom, through loving and compassionate means.

[Panama] As soon as local initiates heard news of the September 11 disaster, we became very sad and felt the urgent need to hold a group prayer-meditation session on the same day. So we met that night and prayed for all of the victims who had passed away, that day and dedicated our meditation to the pursuit of world peace.

We were very touched when we received the message that our beloved Master asked everyone to hold extra group prayer and meditation sessions, because we noticed that we had become automatically well connected inside before receiving the message. Let us continue to hold group meditation sessions to pray for world peace, so that everyone may develop tolerance and understanding, and let us dedicate the fruits of our meditation to the enlightenment of all of humankind!

[Sao Paulo, Brazil] From the evening of September 14 to the evening of September 16, 2001, the Sao Paulo Center held a group prayer-meditation retreat for world peace and for the victims of the 911 disaster in the U. S. Even local Convenient Method fellow practitioners participated in the prayer and meditation retreat that weekend. We sincerely pray to God to bless all of the innocent victims and their families, and bestow on human beings a peaceful life.

[Argentina] Moved by a deep feeling of brotherhood and compassion, fellow practitioners in Argentina gathered to pray and meditate for the suffering souls of the victims of September 11, 2001 disaster. They also increased the regular number and length of sessions for group meditation. Apart from this spiritual support, Argentine initiates sent a humble contribution of material assistance to the US as well.

[Peru] In Peru, the only way in which we can help the victims of the September 11 disaster in the U. S. is through meditation, because our economic situation is not very good. Thus, we decided to meditate at the Lima Center on behalf of the victims and world peace beginning from Wednesday, September 13 three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

[Africa] With deep sorrow and sympathy for the U.S Government and citizens at large, and special sympathy for the innocent victims of the September 11 attacks, Uganada, East Africa initiates sincerely encourage local brothers and sisters to continue with diligent practice. With Supreme Mother Ching Hai's love and compassion, they hope the world will become a better and better place in which to love.

Since September 13, Togo, Benin and Ghana initiates in West Africa have started group prayer meditation sessions on behalf of the disaster victims and world peace.

[London, UK] In response to Master's request, initiates in London/UK held their usual group meditation on Sunday, September 16, 2001 to offer special prayers for the victims of the 911 attack in the USA and also for World Peace. Meditation sessions have been extended by one hour for the day and these will now become our regular hours for future group meditations. Initiates here understand the importance of meditation. Several have offered to hold smaller group meditation sessions at their homes during weekdays.

[Singapore] Upon receiving Master's loving reminder, fellow practitioners from the Singapore Center held a two-day group meditation retreat on the weekend of September 15 and 16. Hundreds of fellow initiates earnestly participated in prayers for world peace, and better understanding among human beings through peaceful ways. The Center is also collecting contributions from fellow practitioners to help the 911 disaster victims in the States.

[Hong Kong] Upon receiving Master's message about assistance after the September 11 disasters in the U. S., fellow practitioners in Hong Kong participated in a four-hour-per-day prayer-cum-group meditation activity. The sessions lasted 14 days from September 13 to 26. It was the hope of Hong Kong initiates that the anguished souls of the disaster victims will rest in peace, and that the citizens of the world will learn to resolve their disputes in peaceful ways.

These sessions attracted twice the number of fellow initiates than usually participate in meditation, with some coming for several sessions. At the same time, fellow practitioners collected financial contributions to help the innocent victims and their families in the United States.

[Formosa] Upon receiving Master's phone calls, fellow practitioners in Formosa immediately launched a relief activity entitled "Send Our Love to New York." In addition to contributing financial aid to the victims, all centers held several prayer and group meditation sessions. Fellow practitioners who could not attend the group meditation sessions were requested to meditate at home from seven to ten each evening. It was hoped that the focused spiritual power of group meditation could dissolve the negative atmosphere and animosity produced by the attacks, and send God's indiscriminate love to those who had caused the catastrophes and to others in need of love and blessing, so that they will feel the light and love deep in their souls, and refrain from committing further acts that hurt themselves and others.

The Chung Hsiao East Road Center and the Sungshan Bookshop of the Taipei Center were opened for fellow practitioners to come in and meditate and pray. Every Wednesday and Friday evening, prayer and meditation sessions were attended by thousands of people at these venues. In support of the "Send Our Love to New York" activity, fellow initiates at National Taiwan University coordinated their efforts with peace-loving friends on and off campus to disseminate "love cards" at their welcoming party for new members on September 14. Participants were invited to write their wishes on the love cards and tie them to balloons. At noon, the activity reached a climax after a three-minute silent prayer, when the balloons symbolizing peace doves and loaded with countless loving wishes for the 911 disaster victims were released into the blue sky. The Society for Body and Mind Development, established by fellow initiates at National Taiwan Normal University, also held a series of prayer activities for the 911 disaster victims during their welcome party for new members on the morning of September 18.

September 16 was a Sunday. Although northern Formosa has been severely hit by Typhoon Nari, thousands of fellow practitioners from all over the island braved the storm to join the prayer and group meditation session for peace held at the Hsihu Center. Oblivious to the strong winds and heavy rain, they meditated under umbrellas, hoping the power of this thousand-person meditation session could bring comfort to the traumatized hearts of disaster victims, and provide support for fellow practitioners engaged in relief efforts on the frontline. All Formosan fellow practitioners sincerely prayed for world peace and understanding among humans.

Please visit the following URLs for vivid film report on this subject
http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/news/126/love1.htm (Formosa)

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