"Peace for Paris," by Jean Jullien. This already iconic symbol has been adopted by social media users worldwide to express solidarity with France after the attacks.After Friday evening’s horrifying terror attacks in Paris, which left more than 100 dead, many Buddhist teachers and communities took to the web and social media to share sympathies and prayers for the people of France and the world. A sampling of these follows.
The Dalai Lama
Following the attacks, the Dalai Lama spoke about society’s response to terrorism in general: “Unless we make serious attempts to achieve peace, we will continue to see a replay of the mayhem humanity experienced in the 20th century.” Read more.
Kalu Rimpoche
My dear friends,
Please pray for all the people who died this evening in Paris due to the explosions. This news makes me very sad.
Paris is my home, France is my country.
Please pray for all the people who are suffering. And may the hostages be released quickly and safely.
Pema Chödrön
Lama Tsultrim Allione
John Ango Gruber
Soji Zen Center’s John Ango Gruber wrote,
“The continuing violence between us as humans is perhaps the most painful manifestation of the deep delusion of other-ness, the idea that we are separate, that there is an us and a them, that you and I are not the simultaneous and deeply interwoven expression of Oneness.”
Read the whole statement.
Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche
Our prayers and thoughts for the beautiful and precious life’s that’s been lost and deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Stay strong Paris?
Sharon Salzberg
Salzberg, who was being honored at a benefit at the Garrison Institute benefit as the news was breaking, addressed the horror and difficulty in Paris, saying, “That’s why we need each other so much.”
SGI-USA
Words cannot express the shock and pain we feel from the attacks in Paris. We convey our deepest condolences to the families of those killed, our thoughts and prayers for those wounded, and our heartfelt solidarity for the people of Paris. In the face of this tragedy, we deepen our resolve to create a world where peace prevails and violence has no place.
FPMT
The FPMT shared photos of students at the Serajey Secondary School praying for the victims of the attacks.
Susan Piver
Tomorrow at 9a ET I’d like to offer a tonglen meditation session for the victims in Paris. Please use this link: https://zoom.us/j/984445390 Tonglen is “the practice of sending and taking” where you offer to transform the burden of suffering through your compassion and fierceness. I’ll give instruction in the practice, so don’t worry if you don’t know how to do it.
George Takei
I’m writing this backstage at Allegiance, my heart heavy with the news from Paris, aching for the victims and their families and friends. There no doubt will be those who look upon immigrants and refugees as the enemy as a result of these attacks, because they look like those who perpetrated these attacks, just as peaceful Japanese Americans were viewed as the enemy after Pearl Harbor. But we must resist the urge to categorize and dehumanize, for it is that very impulse that fueled the insanity and violence perpetrated this evening. Tonight, hold your loved ones, and pray or wish for peace, not only from guns and bombs, but from hatred and fear. If it is our freedom and joy they seek to destroy, give them not that victory. Against the forces of darkness and terror, love and compassion shall always prevail. #JeSuisParis
Gyalwang Drukpa
#PrayForParis #BeHuman #PrayForHumanity #PeaceNotWar pic.twitter.com/GFRm2Wwgam — Gyalwang Drukpa (@Drukpa) November 14, 2015
Joan Halifax
Violence does not end through violence.Carnage does not cease through more killing. Find a way through the wall of fear and hatred to others
— Joan Halifax (@jhalifax) November 14, 2015
Wisdom Publications
Sending these thoughts to every corner of the world. #Paris pic.twitter.com/psP2XiC7Lo — Wisdom Publications (@WisdomPubs) November 14, 2015
The Center for Mindfulness and Justice
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
With tremendous sadness and pain, my heart goes out to those tragically affected by the horrific attacks in Paris.
— The Sakyong (@SakyongMipham) November 14, 2015
As these challenging and confusing events test our resolve as a global community, let us come together in the spirit of humanity (1 of 2) — The Sakyong (@SakyongMipham) November 14, 2015
and respond with greater bravery, compassion, and dedication to the search for peace. (2 of 2)
— The Sakyong (@SakyongMipham) November 14, 2015
Jack Kornfield
I feel such sadness for the people of Paris, for the pain and fear they are going through from this terrible attack. This is a time for the world’s compassion and reaching out to our friends in France.
When I look at the tragic photos and news, I see both the horrors of the bombs and shootings and the thousands of helpers who have rushed in to care for all the suffering. It shows that the world has both suffering and the overcoming of it. It is in the overcoming of it that we are called to respond.
By practicing with mindfulness we align ourselves with those who refuse to hate and, with each moment of compassion, sow seeds of peace. This is our way—to support the causes and conditions that reduce violence and all along to remember the Buddha’s ancient words: “Hatred never ceases by hatred.”
