Like myself, you probably received hundreds of e-mails concerned the tragic and brutal events in the USA in the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001 and spent many, many hours responding to them. You may have written letters to your elected
leaders or newspapers. You have probably signed several e-mail petitions, read many thoughtful pieces from the Dalai Lama, Ven. Thich Nhat Hahn, Noam Chomsky. Afghani writers and harrowing personal accounts from New York City.

The massive number of such circulating e-mails are well-intentioned but, in this critical time of uncertainy, we are in danger of getting lost in a cyber space response to current and forthcoming events. We are mostly e-mailing each other, communicating with the converted, that is around 10%, who oppose a "war on terrorism" and its nightmare consequences. We have to reach out to the 90% to point the way to peace, justice and compassion for all those who suffer. I believe the USA government, the Pentagon and its allies must enter into a period of profound and honest soul searching to understand clearly dependent arising
circumstances.

Well-meaning and insightful e-mails are invaluable in many ways. They help keep us focussed on this period of a probable impending war. It is important to use the FORWARD button. But a change in the current menacing political attitude will
not take place through this resource. E-mails can inform, inspire, tell of forthcoming events and remind us to act. I believe one of the most powerful resources for political change, as history shows, is promoting our concerns on the streets of our cities and towns. We must reach the public. Please ask yourselves what you can do outside of cyberspace.

WAYS TOWARDS CHANGE INCLUDE:

1. Peaceful demonstrations.
2. Pilgrimages for Reconciliation (Yatras in the Buddhist tradition).
3. Debates from local level up to the UN.
4. Essays, Articles, Books
5. Education.
6. The Arts
7. Petitions
8. Letters, leaflets, flyers.
9. Public meetings, Facilitation
10.Subscriptions to organistions and publications working for peace, justice and
resolution of suffering
11. Donations (Buddhist word is dana) and support for charities working for
people, animals and environment
12..Workshops and Retreats to develop inner-outer understanding.

On Saturday, September 29, 2001, we will meet at 9.30 a.m at the Buddhist Peace Pagoda in Battersea, south London to initiate a silent, mindful and slow, single file walk through the streets of London. We will stop at the Foreign Office and
also at the Israeli Embassy to deliver thoughtful and considerate letters of concern. Please join our Pilgrimage for Reconciliation (a Yatra) through London. Please FORWARD this information to your friends. Please ask yourselves"What can I do? What can I support?"

As citizens of democratic nations, I believe we have to persuade our government to act with wisdom and compassion. For example, I believe the right to nationhood of the besieged Palestinian community is one of the key factors to deal with this spiral of mistrust and retaliation in the region and in the West.

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