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against anyonewhether it be your own government or the terroristsyou will only be contributing more negativity. Being religious means not taking sides and manifesting true compassion to all beings without exceptioneven our enemies. The events of September 11th have had such a great effect on us because the results are so visible and audible to us. But it is important to remember that in the various realms, suffering of this magnitude and even greater is taking place every single moment among different kinds of beings, although we cannot see or hear it. So dont think only of human suffering but extend your consciousness and your compassion to every realm of living beings. Remember also that the suffering that beings endure is the result of our own karma, not something that is forced upon us by others. Those who lost their lives in this event have surely taken lives in the past. Those who suffer must surely have caused suffering in the past. And those who are defending our country now have surely in the past been aggressors. Because we are human and have not been born in these terrible realms, we have a great opportunity to act rightfully and carefully. We must discipline our speech, minds and bodies so that we do not contribute more suffering to these realms. We have the unique opportunity to make things better, not worse. Question: Is it possible to determine what action or set of actions ripened for those who lost their lives on September 11? Was it the result of individual karma, collective karma, or this countrys karma? Lama Lodu Rinpoche: Certainly there was individual karma involved for those who died in the buildings; there is collective karma for the families who are affected by this event; and of course the whole country has related karma as well. The karma of all three groups has a related cause. Those who died, those who suffered loss, and those who are reacting to or defending against the situationall these causes and effects are inter-related. The best way to benefit ourselves, those who died, and those who have survived is to remain positive in speech, mind and body, and to generate love and compassion toward others. When you feel this, you naturally experience comfort and well-being, which brings your mind to a kind and confident state. When you are in this state, you automatically perform positive, beneficial actions: you feel good; you generate goodness; and other people respect, value, and respond to you. By creating this peace in yourself and your surroundings, you are truly contributing to world peace. As long as the sky remains Sentient beings will remain And I will remain with them To dispel their suffering (Shantideva)