Wars cause loss to people's lives, damage properties, and add to the pollution of our planet. Relative to world population, we are only a handful of people, but we can definitely overcome fate. As few in number as we are, we must pray to all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout the ten directions for an end to this war. If we want the war to end, we must be 120% sincere. We will definitely have our prayer answered then. We will overcome destiny. Now repeat after me:

Disciple Hsuan Hua and others pray that the infinite number of Triple Jewel, the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, that dwell eternally throughout the ten directions and all times, in all of space and the Dharma Realm promise to protect all beings throughout this world and end the war in the Middle East so that all beings will be safe and happy soon. We will forever and on repay the grace of the Triple Jewel, the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, in life after life.

With utmost sincerity and earnestness, we hope that the infinite number of Triple Jewel, the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha that dwell eternally throughout the ten directions and all times, in all of space and Dharma Realm will be compassionate and grant our request.

Our Dharma Assembly could be said to be extremely important! Everyone must want to save the world, perhaps even consider the lives of all beings more important than one's own. This is the right motivation for ending wars around the world.

We must want to end a war but not demonstrate against a war. By demonstrating against a war, internal warfare surfaces in you. Since you oppose others or any war, your have already started fighting. We must end this war, but with what? With non-stop sincerity. Do not be angry or resentful. When you're neither angry nor resentful, there is one less share of hatred. Being free of enmity or enemies, we will eventually and naturally become free of hatred.

In Buddhism, there are no armies, no Red Cross or yellow cross. We treat everyone with kindness and compassion, joy and equanimity. Since sentient beings' offenses have created the Communists, Nationalists, and Republicans so that you have your party and he has his faction. Those of the same party will ax those who are different from them. Since you're not willing to be in his party, he will treat you like an enemy. Buddhism contains no party or sect. Buddhists do not develop oppositions but value everyone the way they would treat themselves. Buddhists neither hate nor resent anyone. The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas promotes the six paths of light, also called the six kinds of wisdom, six pestles that tame demons, and six mirrors that show up monsters.

What are they? One, not being contentious. Why not be contentious? When you contend, you want what other people want. When you contend with others, others contend with you. Therefore, at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, "I pick up what others abandon; I give others what they want." I want what other people do not want; I do not want what other people want. This is the way people at the CTTB act.

Two, not being greedy. We're not greedy for what other people are greedy for. That is second. Since you're greedy, you're selfish. If you were not greedy, you would not be selfish; there is nothing you would wish for. Why is there something you want and you look for it everywhere? It is because of greed. Free of selfishness, we seek nothing. That is why the third is not seeking. The fourth is being selfless. The fifth is not pursuing self benefit. They all have the same effect. The sixth is not lying. Why do people lie? It is because they want to protect their selfish interests. Why are they selfish? It is because there is something they're seeking, something they're greedy for, something they are contending for. If they were not selfish, not pursuing self-benefit, not seeking, and not contending or being greedy, they wouldn't need to lie and go around lying to people as if they were doing business. It is obvious an item is ten dollars, but he sells it for one hundred dollars, saying, "My sales items are the cheapest. I am selling them to you at no profit." He insists. We're not contentious, not being greedy, not seeking, not being selfish, not pursuing self-benefit, and not lying. We value people's lives more than we value our own.

Since you took refuge with me today, I am willing to take on the offenses that you've created as if they were mine. Why am I like this? It is because I study the writings by ancient sages. They do not blame others for their mistakes but blame themselves for other people's mistakes. Emperor Tang of Shan Dynasty said, "Do not blame my people for my mistakes, but do blame me for the mistakes of my people." He said, "Do not burden my citizens for my personal offenses. If my citizens have committed offenses, consider them mine. God! Or Buddha! Do not see the faults of other people."