| Dear All, As you may know, I have been active with United Nations World Council of Religious Leaders which has sent the enclosed communication regarding the World Peace Day on September 21st.
I would suggest that worldwide as many recitations as possible of the SAUMYA MANTRA be offered.
I would like to hear back from you as to how many people participated in this observance.
Yours in service of Gurudeva,
Swami Veda BharatiServant of the Servants of the Masters |
| IMPORTANT NOTE:
For those who are not familiar with the SAUMYA MANTRA as recommended above by Swami Veda, can order an audio tape and a handout from zavrel@meaus.com
|
WORLD COUNCIL OF RELIGIOUSLEADERS
a direct outcomeof
THE MILLENNIUM WORLD PEACESUMMIT
On 7 September 2001, theUnited Nationsunanimously passed a resolution designating 21 September of eachyear as an"International Day ofPeace."
The intention of the resolutionis to have the entire world observe a full day of "global ceasefireand nonviolence." All peoples and organizations are invited tocommemorate the day in an appropriate manner.
As we did last year, now again this year we arerequesting your support and to observe the International Day of PeaceVigil.
As one way of observing the Day, many peace basedNGOs and individuals representing a wide variety of religious andspiritual traditions, are advocating an "International Day of PeaceVigil" with the following objective:
"To encourage the observation of a worldwide,24-hour vigil for peace and nonviolence on the International Day ofPeace, 21 September 2003 in every house of worship and place ofspiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups andindividuals and by all men, women and children who seek peace in theworld."
This global 24-hour Vigil is meant to demonstratethe power of prayer and other spiritual observations in promotingpeace and preventing violent conflict. These worldwide spiritualvigils will also help raise public awareness of the International Dayof Peace and can directly support the establishment of a globalceasefire.
The Millennium World Peace Summit / World Councilof Religious Leaders is lending support to this worthwhile effort andis asking our members and supporters to do likewise. Your personalsupport of this idea by promulgating the Vigil among your members andwithin their communities would be most helpful in fulfilling the goalof the International Day of Peace.
Your support of this spiritual based initiative ismost appreciated.
Please find enclosed the Resolution passed by theGeneral Assembly on International Day of Peace, as well as frequentlyasked questions about vigils.
Bawa Jain
Secretary General, World Council of ReligiousLeaders
[without reference to a Main Committee(A/55/L.95 and Add. 1)] 55/282. International Day ofPeace
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 36/67 of 30 November1981, by which it declared that the third Tuesday of September, theopening day of the regular sessions of the General Assembly, shall beofficially proclaimed and observed as International Day of Peace andshall be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals ofpeace both within and among all nations and peoples,
Recalling also its other relevant resolutions,including resolution 55/14 of 3 November 2000,
Reaffirming the contribution that the observanceand celebration of the International Day of Peace makes instrengthening the ideals of peace and alleviating tensions and causesof conflict,
Considering the unique opportunity it offers for acessation of violence and conflict throughout the world, and therelated importance of achieving the broadest possible awareness andobservance of the International Day of Peace among the globalcommunity,
Desiring to draw attention to the objectives ofthe International Day of Peace, and therefore to fix a date for itsobservance each year that is separate from the opening day of theregular sessions of the General Assembly,
1. Decides that, with effectfrom the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly, theInternational Day of Peace shall be observed on 21 September eachyear, with this date to be brought to the attention of all people forthe celebration and observance of peace;
2. Declares that theInternational Day of Peace shall henceforth be observed as a day ofglobal ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations andpeople to honour a cessation of hostilities for the duration of theDay;
3. Invites all Member States,organizations of the United Nations system, regional andnon-governmental organizations and individuals to commemorate, in anappropriate manner, the International Day of Peace, including througheducation and public awareness, and to cooperate with the UnitedNations in the establishment of the global ceasefire.
111th plenary meeting
7 September 2001
What is a"Vigil"?
A Vigil is a period of "watch"or "wakefulness." In the context of the International Day of PeaceVigil, it could be done in the form of prayer, meditation or otherform of spiritual observance with an objective on peace awareness. Itcould also be a commitment to peaceful thoughts and acts of kindnessand love throughout the day.
Why a "24-hourvigil"?
The Vigil corresponds with TheUnited Nations resolution that calls for entire day of globalcease-fire and non-violence and invites "all nations and peoples tohonour the cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day". Aglobal day-long Vigil focused on peace would be a powerful force inpromoting the cessation of violence and creating a more peacefulstate among peoples.
What is the meaning of "peace"in the context of the Vigil?
The international Day of Peacehas a very tangible goal of a day-long period and global cease-fire.The cessation of conflict for that day is one form of peace. Theresolution also states, however, that the day should be focused onstrengthening the ideals of peace and alleviating tensions and causesof conflict among peoples and governments. In its broader sense, itis more than just alleviating violence; peace is an internal state ofconcord and tranquility.
How can my group participate inthe Vigil?
Groups are asked to participateby focusing the group's awareness on the cessation of violentconflict throughout the world and in promoting peaceful behaviour forthe entire 24-hour period on 21 September 2003. The group may wish toobserve the Vigil by designating different individuals at differenttimes to pray, meditate or otherwise celebrate the day in thatgroup's house of worship or other suitable places.
How could I, as an individual,participate?
An individual could participatein many different ways. She/he might perform a day-long prayer,meditation or fast. One might also complete his/her daily vigil bykeeping an awareness of peace in all daily activities and by strivingto think peaceful and loving thoughts throughout theday.
Can I still participate if Icannot commit to a 24-hour period?
Yes. Not everyone will be ableto commit to a 24-hour duration. Do whatever you can while keepingthe goals of the Vigil in mind.
| IMPORTANT NOTE:
For those who are not familiar with the SAUMYA MANTRA as recommended above by Swami Veda, can order an audio tape and a handout from zavrel@meaus.com
|
Copyright 2003 West-Art, Prometheus89/2003