Commemorating One-Year Anniversary of September 11, 2001

"From the beginning of the morning commute until the sun lowers over the Hudson River, New York City will be transformed into a state of commemoration on Sept. 11, with readings, concerts and odes to the dead, tributes that in many cases grew out of ideas from people around the world."
-New York Times, Aug. 7, 2002

On Sept. 11, people across the country and around the world will be remembering and reflecting on the tragic events of this day last year. SGI-USA will commemorate nationwide the one-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, with a World Peace Prayer Hour. Members and friends will have the opportunity to join together in homes, culture centers and activity centers in our most powerful united action -daimoku-the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

As practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, we strive each day on anindividual basis through our human revolution to lead the world away from the senseless tragedies of violence and war toward a world that embraces the true humanistic values of human equality and the sanctity of life. SGI President Ikeda says, "An inner revolution is the most fundamental and, at the same time, the ultimate revolution for engendering change in all things."

Our World Peace Prayer Hour will be an opportunity to join together in heartfelt prayers for all those lives lost in the tragedy, to challenge our own fears, and to strengthen our mission on the grand stage of world peace where tragedy and violence are transformed into peace and harmony.

Because Sept. 11 falls on a Wednesday, we suggest that participants dedicate one hour of chanting in their own homes, culture centers or activity centers any time that is convenient for them on the day of Sept. 11-for an hour in the morning, or at noontime, or in the evening.