On behalf of the Interfaith Center of New York, I would like to join the many diverse Buddhist communities of our city in celebrating this 25th International Lotus Lanterns Parade and the Birthday of the Buddha.
On this auspicious occasion we honor the birth of the Buddha, a great human being and religious figure who affected human experience by teaching the overcoming of suffering and the path towards enlightenment. At this time, I would like to highlight the contributions that Buddhist communities across the country, around the world, and in our own city have made to peaceful existence of all peoples and to the earth itself. In particular, Buddhist New Yorkers have made contributions both to inner peace and outer peace. The numerous Temples across the city that teach meditation to Buddhist and non Buddhists alike show of how this practice has become part of everyday life for people of all backgrounds. Meditation contributes to the inner peace and well-being of millions across our busy, frantic city. It is truly a gift of peace that our Buddhist neighbors have given to all of us.
In addition to contributing to peace in our hearts, engaged Buddhists have contributed to peace in our world. I think of the August 6th services for peace in our city honoring those who lost their lives on Hiroshima Day; the enormously generous gift of assistance that the Tzu Chi Foundation gave for Hurricane Sandy Assistance; and the Dharma Drum community’s practice of bringing homeless kids upstate to their retreat center in the country. This too is a radical gift of peace and hospitality for those—particularly the most vulnerable—who need a break from the chaotic and fractured nature of life in an urban jungle like the one we inhabit.
We at the Interfaith Center of New York are proud to be among our Buddhist neighbors and on this auspicious Birthday of the Buddha hold up their tremendous contribution to peace in our lives and peace in our city.
