International Day of Peace

In 2001, the United Nations unanimously passed a resolution designating September 21 of each year as the "International Day of Peace." It is hoped that the entire world will observe a full day of "global ceasefire and nonviolence."

The Dharma Drum Mountain Chan Meditation Center dedicates three events organized on September 21, 2002 to the cause of this International Day of Peace. We have a one-day meditation workshop from 9 am to 5 pm at Stony Brook University on Long Island, NY to promote peace of body, mind, and the world. The workshop will be conducted by the abbot, Venerable Guo Yuan. Sixty people registered for the program. The second event, with more than 50 participants, is a whole day lecture by Venerable Guo Hsiang in Oregon. The third is the regular one-day sitting at Chan Meditation Center. We encourage everyone to dedicate their spiritual practices to peace and nonviolence.

Below is an excerpt of the letter from Bawa Jain, secretary general of the World Council of Religious Leaders, to Master Sheng-yen:

Last year, the United Nations unanimously passed a resolution designating September 21 of each year as an "International Day of Peace." The intention of the resolution is to have the entire world observe a full day of "global ceasefire and nonviolence." All peoples and organizations are invited to commenorate the day in an appropriate manner. (A copy of the full resolution is attached.)

As one way of observing the Day, many peace based NGOs and individuals representing a wide variety of religious and spiritual traditions, are advocating and "International Day of Peace Vigil" with the following objective:

"To encourage the observation of a worldwide, 24-hour vigil for peace and nonviolence on the International Day of Peace, 21 September 2002 in every house of worship and place of spiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups and individuals and by all men, woman and children who seek peace in the world."

This global 24-hour Vigil is meant to demonstrate the power of prayer and other spiritual observations in promoting peace and preventing violent conflict. These worldwide spiritual vigils will also help raise public awareness of the International Day of Peace and can directly support the establishment of a global ceasefire.

The Millennium World Peace Summit/ World Council of Religious Leaders is lending support to this worthwhile effort and is asking our members and supporters to do likewise. Your personal support of this idea by promulgating the Vigil among your members and within their communities would be most helpful in fulfilling the goal of the International Day of Peace.

Commitments to participate in the Vigil can be sent to the International Day of Peace Vigil website at: www.idpvigil.com, or mailed to: International Day of Peace Vigil, 866 UN Plaza, Suite 575, New York, NY 10017. Individuals and groups should indicate the name of a contact person and the number of people participating in the Vigil. Commitments will be posted on the website.

Your support of this spiritual based initiative is most appreciated.