Local residents gathered for a service at the Buddhist Temple of San Diego Saturday in hopes of making some sense of the devastation from the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Some worried about their friends and family in Japan.
"They have yet to reach some of their family members and could be for various reasons," said Ralph Honda, who helped to organize the service. "The communication systems are down."
Yusuke Yasahara said his grandparents live in Sendai city, near the coastal area which was devastated by the massive earthquake and tsunami. He's already heard that they're OKbut said he's still worried about their safety.
"They say they're scared," Yasahara said. "There's nothing they can do."
Norman Kiyono-Sekiyama has a cousin in the country's capital Tokyo. His cousin told him the city's infrastructure is still suspended, with food delivery limited.
"In Tokyo anyway, they should have enough for two weeks," Kiyono-Sekihama said. " And in terms of getting food they're pretty confident defensive forces will get the food to them."
Local
Members of the Temple put cash in a donation box dedicated toward disaster relief. They also prayed and lit candles for victims of the massive earthquake and tsunami.
Reverend Yushi Mukojima of the Buddhist Temple of San Diego offered words of comfort and wisdom.
"The devastating earthquake makes us realize that all things are impermanent, and that life is treasured," he said.
The American Red Cross is accepting donations for Japan's quake and tsunami victims online.
