[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.
