[Peace] Fwd: HHDL 9/11 Anniversary Message

[Jay Mittenthal]

>>>His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Message on the Commemoration of the 1st 
>>>Anniversary of September 11, 2001
>>>
>>>Source:  http://www.tibet.com/NewsRoom/message1.htm
>>>
>>>The 11th September 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and 
>>>the Pentagon were deeply shocking and very sad. I regard such terrible 
>>>destructive actions as acts of hatred, for violence is the result of 
>>>destructive emotions. Events of this kind make clear that if we allow 
>>>our human intelligence to be guided and controlled by negative emotions 
>>>like hatred, the consequences are disastrous.
>>>How to respond to such an attack is a very difficult question to answer. 
>>>Of course, those who are dealing with the problem may know better, but I 
>>>feel that careful consideration is necessary and that it is appropriate 
>>>to respond to an act of violence by employing the principles of 
>>>non-violence. This is of great importance. The attacks on the United 
>>>States were shocking, but retaliation that involves the use of further 
>>>violence may not be the best solution in the long run.
>>>
>>>We must continue to develop a wider perspective, to think rationally and 
>>>work to avert future disasters in a non-violent way. These issues 
>>>concern the whole of humanity, not just one country. We should explore 
>>>the use of non-violence as a long-term measure to control terrorism of 
>>>every kind. We need a well-thought-out, coordinated long-term strategy. 
>>>I believe there will always be conflicts and clash of ideas as long as 
>>>human beings exist. This is natural. Therefore, we need an active method 
>>>or approach to overcome such contradictions.
>>>
>>>In today's reality the only way of resolving differences is through 
>>>dialogue and compromise, through human understanding and humility. We 
>>>need to appreciate that genuine peace comes about through mutual 
>>>understanding, respect and trust. Problems within human society should 
>>>be solved in a humanitarian way, for which non-violence provides the 
>>>proper approach.
>>>
>>>Terrorism cannot be overcome by the use of force because it does not 
>>>address the complex underlying problems. In fact the use of force may 
>>>not only fail to solve the problems, it may exacerbate them and 
>>>frequently leaves destruction and suffering in its wake. Likewise, acts 
>>>of terrorism, especially involving violence, only make matters worse. We 
>>>must condemn terrorism not only because it involves violence but also 
>>>because innocent people fall victims to senseless acts of terrorism such 
>>>as what the world witnessed on September 11th.
>>>
>>>Human conflicts do not arise out of the blue. They occur as a result of 
>>>causes and conditions, many of which are within the protagonists' 
>>>control. This is where leadership is important. It is the responsibility 
>>>of leaders to decide when to act and when to practise restraint. In the 
>>>case of a conflict it is important to take necessary preventive measures 
>>>before the situation gets out of hand. Once the causes and conditions 
>>>that lead to violent clashes have fully ripened and erupted, it is very 
>>>difficult to control them and restore peace. Violence undoubtedly breeds 
>>>more violence. If we instinctively retaliate when violence is done to 
>>>us, what can we expect other than that our opponent to also feel 
>>>justified retaliating. This is how violence escalates. Preventive 
>>>measures and restraint must be observed at an earlier stage. Clearly 
>>>leaders need to be alert, far-sighted and decisive.
>>>
>>>In today's world expectations of war have changed. It is no longer 
>>>realistic to expect that our enemy will be completely destroyed, or that 
>>>victory will be total for us. Or for that matter, can an enemy be 
>>>considered absolute. We have seen many times that today's enemies are 
>>>often tomorrow's allies, a clear indication that things are relative and 
>>>very inter-related and inter-dependent. Our survival, our success, our 
>>>progress, are very much related to others' well being. Therefore, we as 
>>>well as our enemies are still very much interdependent. Whether we 
>>>regard them as economic, ideological or political enemies makes no 
>>>difference to this. Their destruction has a destructive effect upon us. 
>>>Thus, the very concept of war, which is not only a painful experience, 
>>>but also contains the seeds of self-destruction, is no longer relevant.
>>>
>>>Similarly, as the global economy evolves, every nation becomes to a 
>>>greater or lesser extent dependent on every other nation. The modern 
>>>economy, like the environment, knows no boundaries. Even those countries 
>>>openly hostile to one another must cooperate in their use of the world's 
>>>resources. Often, for example, they will be dependent on the same rivers 
>>>or other natural resources. And the more interdependent our economic 
>>>relationships, the more interdependent must our political relationships become.
>>>
>>>What we need today is education among individuals and nations, from 
>>>small children up to political leaders to inculcate the idea that 
>>>violence is counterproductive, that it is not a realistic way to solve 
>>>problems, and that dialogue and understanding are the only realistic way 
>>>to resolve our difficulties.
>>>
>>>The anniversary of the tragic events of September 11th 2001 provides us 
>>>with a very good opportunity. There is a worldwide will to oppose 
>>>terrorism. We can use this consensus to implement long-term preventive 
>>>measures. This will ultimately be much more effective than taking 
>>>dramatic and violent steps based on anger and other destructive 
>>>emotions. The temptation to respond with violence is understandable but 
>>>a more cautious approach will be more fruitful.
>>>
>>>September 1, 2002
>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>HHDL mailing list
>>>HHDL at lamrim.com
>>>http://www.lamrim.com/mailman/listinfo/hhdl
>>
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