The Tragedy That Shook the World

By Master Cheng Yen
Date: September 12, 2001
Speech transcript, as taken from Da Ai TV's Life Wisdom program

Heavy are my steps today. Ever since last night, when we learned of the tragedy in the United States, I have been alarmed, distressed, and extremely worried. Last night, we continually tried to reach our volunteers in the U.S., but to no avail. However, this morning, calls from Tzu Chi volunteers in New Jersey and Southern California started to come in to report on the situation.

This is a world tragedy. It has sent everyone into shock and terror. In New York, two hijacked commercial jetliners crashed into New York's landmarks, the two 110-story buildings of the World Trade Center. The collision occurred around nine o'clock, the beginning of the workday. There are about fifty thousand people who work in the two buildings. We can imagine what happened inside, the utter chaos and panic.

I asked, "Do we know how many fatalities there are?" The reply, "There are over fifteen thousand people who escaped." But the death toll is still unknown. This is truly a devastating tragedy, a terrifying manmade disaster. After the first plane crashed, the second one followed. How impermanent life truly is!

I asked our volunteers whether all the local Tzu Chi volunteers are safe. I was told that nearly all volunteers are safe. Our volunteer in New Jersey, Lu Rong, told me that she was at first very worried, because nearly a dozen Tzu Chi members worked on the 80th floor. Fortunately, when the plane ran into the first tower, they still had enough time to escape and safely evacuate the building in time. However, one of the members tried to escape after the explosion. He tried to leave through the elevator, but it stopped halfway. He knew then it was stuck, and that there would be no escape. So, he called his mother to say goodbye. He dialed his last phone call to say farewell to his family.

Though I know most of the Tzu Chi members are safe, I am deeply pained about the numerous others. The world is one big family. This is such a tremendous disaster, more calamitous than the earthquake we suffered on Sept. 21, 1999. Moreover, in its aftermath, it has plunged everyone in a state of panic and terror.

Besides letting us know that they are safe, U.S. Tzu Chi volunteers who were able to call in also informed us that they are on standby for the relief effort. As of now, the site is still in a cloud of smoke and debris, and they cannot enter it. They have contacted the Red Cross as well as other relief agencies. These agencies are calling out for blood donations in the greater New York area and in New Jersey because of the numerous people injured. So, we are assisting them in asking for people to donate blood. Furthermore, Tzu Chi people are also preparing relief materials, so that we can give aid when it is needed. I told them that we must keep abreast of the situation and also be on the alert, especially regarding the state of the society.

Another thing that had worried me was the safety of our Da Ai TV crew, who had planned to leave for the U.S. yesterday to hold "Friends of Da Ai" events. I was very nervous until we were finally able to reach them. The crew is still in Hong Kong. They had been waiting for their flight, so their flight had yet to take off. So, for some, I am able to set my mind at ease. However, there is still so much heartache.

Why is this world filled with chaos? Natural disasters occur constantly all over the world. Then, there are manmade disasters, so harmful and horrifying like this! The minds of the people today…How can we really achieve a peaceful world?

My heart is in tumult; it is empty. There are no words to express this. We must pray for them most sincerely from the depths of our heart. May this be the end of this fearsome calamity and may the future days be filled with peace, so that the people can rebuild their lives.

As this tragedy has already occurred, we must accept its reality. May the families of the victims be able to calm their grief, for only when the living are at peace can the spirits of the deceased rest in peace. So, we need to gather ourselves together with dignity and be strong. May Tzu Chi people be able to help them, to comfort and console their hearts, to walk with them so they may come out of their suffering and overcome this tragedy.