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The One Foundation Project Page
the earthquake/tsunami disaster
My family and I have returned to safety. I know that friends and fans all over the world were greatly worried when they heard that my family and I were trapped in the Maldives when the tsunami hit. I want to take this opportunity to thank everybody who expressed concern for our safety and well-being. I am humbled by the outpouring of love.
I am deeply indebted to the staff at The Four Seasons Hotel in the Maldives. Throughout the initial chaos and the entire disaster, they demonstrated selfless bravery and compassion, the finest human qualities, in assisting us and the other hotel guests, even though their own family members were likely endangered by the rising waters as well. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.
As a Buddhist, I hold a certain understanding of the impermanence of life-that everything has a beginning and end. However, living through this natural disaster has heightened my consciousness of suffering and joy, and of the fortune and misfortune around me. It shook me awake and helped me realize that I have an obligation to life. As I reflect on the tremendous suffering that continues in South Asia, the first thing that I can-and must-do as a single human being is to treasure every single day as a precious gift, and to give thanks for the people in my life-as well as life itself.
More importantly, having experienced firsthand the devastation and distress caused by the flooding, deep in my heart I sense the urge to act, to do something, to help. I know that all of us, regardless of race and religion, will come together and contribute to help those who are still suffering-those who were injured and those left homeless by the earthquake and the tsunami. We are all human beings, and no matter how different we appear on the surface, we are the same inside. Our deepest, truest human nature is to be selfless and compassionate-the very qualities that are in greatest need at this moment. Please help however which way you can, my brothers and sisters around the world, whether it is to donate money, to provide assistance, or even to pray for the well-being of those affected by the tsunami, The time is now.
If you would like to donate for the earthquake/tsunami relief efforts, please visit here.
