MINNEAPOLIS — Inside Minnesota Buddhist Vihara, a Minneapolis Buddhist temple, a message of peace resonated Sunday night.
The tragic day in Sri Lanka struck close to home with many here in Minnesota, including those who are from the island nation and still have loved ones there.
The Sunday night memorial service was a chance for them to remember the victims - and all those affected by Sunday's terror attacks.
Witiyala Seewalie Nayaka Thera, abbot and president of Minnesota Buddhist Vihara, grew up in Sri Lanka. He moved to the United States 16 years ago, but still has family in his home country.
"I talked to some of them and my close family and they, all of them are safe," Bhante Seewalie said. "Secure. They don't have any issues. But when I talked to some of the community members, they have some of their friends, relatives and... some of them, they lost their life, too."
Members of Minnesota Buddhist Vihara also have family in Sri Lanka, including its capital city where some of the attacks happened.
"We've been on the phone nonstop today," said Piyumi Samaratunga. "It's a small city and when as many as 200 lives have been taken, invariably you are in some way or fashion connected to that."
About 30 people attended the memorial service in north Minneapolis. Part of the service included a memorial cloth that was used as an offering to remember those who lost their lives.
"It is in times like this that you realize how far you are and the devastation is very real and tangible," Samaratunga said. "Every life taken has enormous impact on humanity at large."