San Bruno B.A.R.T.

  SAN BRUNO--The terrorist attacks in the East last Tuesday have evoked a wide range of emotions among Americans. For many, the dominating emotion is anger.

  But for Buddhists, the reaction involves compassion and sadness, said Kasama Lee, who helped organized a memorial service Sunday at Wat Buddhapradeep of San Francisco, a temple located in San Bruno.

  "I think the Buddhist community is saddened by this, because part of our teachings in Buddhism is compassion," Lee, 36, of San Bruno said.

  A small crowd of about 50 gathered in the temple on Poplar Avenue to mourn the deaths of the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks. Participants joined the monks in reciting prayers, and feelings were shared about the events.

  During the service, candles were lit, and there was a moment of silence. Offerings were made that will go to the families of the victims.

  Gabriel Molieri of Pacifica said during the service that all types of Americans were impacted by the tragedies.

  "Many Americans, Thai, Chinese, Arab and citizens of other nations have been deeply affected by these events," Molieri said. "Many have lost loved ones who worked in the targeted buildings that represented all peoples of the world. Innocent peoples of all creeds, colors, and nationalities have been the targets of the hatred and cruelty of a few who by no means represent their own nation, culture or religion."

  Molieri said that the Buddha teaches that suffering is unavoidable.

  "But the Buddha also teaches that what we do on occasions such as this can demonstrate that there is a supreme sense of goodness and loving-kindness that lives in every heart, and that this goodness is greater than any horrible act or any amount of suffering," he said.

  He also pointed out that the Royal Thai Embassy's headquarters were located in one of the buildings destroyed in New York.

  Stacy Katz, 32, of San Francisco was touched by the Buddhist philosophy of compassion.

  "I think it's so interesting that the reaction is compassion rather than anger. People right now are so focused on retaliating," said Katz, who pointed out that she is Jewish. "When you're not clouded by anger, you can think more clearly about solutions."