Event Blog

9/11 Meal Packaging for Hungry on Intrepid w/ Buddhist Global Relief
By Wenqiao Peng

September 11^th, 2001 is a date that will live in infamy. The attack by Al-Qaeda terrorists killed nearly 3,000 people and injured over 6,000 others, as well as causing property damage. As a result, the United States responded by launching the War on Terror. This hatred has led to racial discrimination and killing in succession. In 2016, Tomorrow Together by 911Day.org initiated ”Meal Pack for NYC” and has been supported by a diverse community of national service, youth, faith, and education organizations to actively promote the ideals of unity, empathy, and service among young people throughout the United States. This year, the event took place at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City.

On the date of September 11th, thousands of volunteers from many states across the U.S. gathered at the museum to demonstrate “through LOVE, we are together”. There were five sessions in this 10-hour event. Three religion leaders led the prayers at the beginning of each session. At 7:30, the director of DDMBA/Chan Meditation Center, Venerable Chang Hwa, kicked off the event by chanting the name of the Medicine Buddha three times, wishing the Medicine Buddha to heal our body and mind, transferring the merits to freedom from fear, hatred, anger, and hunger for all beings, and blessing everybody with love, joy, peace, and compassion.

Meal Pack for NYC followed immediately at Hanger Two on the aircraft. There were 40 long tables, each of which was surrounded by approximately 15 volunteers. Each meal pack contained rice, lentil, dry mixed vegetables, and rose salt, and would be able to supply a meal for a small family. When the bell rang at the times of 8:46, 9:03, 9:37, 9:59, 10:03, and 10:28, the entire museum stood still and one-minute silences were dedicated to those who passed away at the attacks and their families.

At 11:30, the Abbot of Dharma Drum Retreat Center, Venerable Guo Yuan, asked all participants to join palms, close eyes, and focus on the tip of mid fingers for one minute by using the method of Chinese Chan. After the one minute of “No Thought”, Ven. Guo Yuan blessed and transferred the merits to world peace and the world with no suffering.

More than 30 religion leaders gathered together today to pray for a better and more peaceful world. The host announced that 550,000 meals were packed and all meals would be delivered to the victims from Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.