Reflection: "The Power of Peace"

Peace is a concept that visits us in a similar form regardless of religion and ethnicity. In terms of reaching peace, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche writes that resolution of our inner-peace is important. First, we must have peace within ourselves. This is what most religion teaches through its doctrines. It gives set of guidelines to follow and live a moral life. Ironically, it is from these religions that devotes to fulfilling peace that also cause war. This is why we must learn tolerance, so that we may learn to understand and love someone, who is different than us. The Rinpoche suggests few things that will let one reach inner peace. One is patience. We have to first learn to wait. And in terms of building peace, we should not be forceful towards someone to join our work, but also learn to wait. We have to make multiple visits patiently until a person's heart is completely open. As we took our steps forward, now it is our turn to wait for others to take their steps forward in this global reconciliation. As the chairman and the members of HWPL are travelling around the world and preaching the message of peace, we, as the followers of HWPL and peace must wait and also continue to devote our time to reach our own inner peace. On one side, the chairman and HWPL works on achieving global peace, and on the other side, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche writes about the achieving our personal peace.

As I was reading the writing of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, I imagined, what would happen if the Rinpoche met with Chairman Man Hee Lee. Both of these men seemed to share a fascinating view on world peace, in their own taste. But, in the end, it is the same peace. It is like a destination with multiple routes and direction. No matter where we start in terms of our religious and ethnical background, if we have peace as our final destination, we will end up there. In the writing, the power of peace seemed to question the power of one person, who achieved inner-peace and how much effect that this one person is capable of bringing to his or her world.

Mother Teresa: Reflects on Working Toward Peace

The fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service; the fruit of service is peace.

Let us not use bombs and guns to overcome the world. Let us use love and compassion. Peace begins with a smile. Smile five times a day at someone you don't really want to smile at; do it for peace. Let us radiate the peace of God and so light His light and extinguish in the world and in the hearts of all men all hatred and love for power. Today, if we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other-that man, that woman, that child is my brother or my sister. If everyone could see the image of God in his neighbor, do you think we would still need tanks and generals?

Peace and war begin at home. If we truly want peace in the world, let us begin by loving one another in our own families. If we want to spread joy, we need for every family to have joy.

Today, nations put too much effort and money into defending their borders. They know very little about the poverty and the suffering that exist in the countries where those bordering on destitution live. If they would only defend these defenseless people with food, shelter, and clothing, I think the world would be a happier place.

The poor must know that we love them, that they are wanted. They themselves have nothing to give but love. We are concerned with how to get this message of love and compassion across. We are trying to bring peace to the world through our work. But the work is the gift of God.

I noticed similar thoughts and point of views after reading different writings and songs from important figures from the 20th century and 21st century. They all propose and suggest similar solution for achieving peace. Regardless of their belief and ethnicity, peace approaches and befriends them in the exact same manner. Until now, I have been writing about the figures from the Christianity and their views on peace and from next few posts, I hope to discuss about the thoughts on peace from other religions, so that we may be able to see that peace truly is ecumenical and how it relates to the works of HWPL and Chairman Man Hee Lee. Because it seems that the wave of HWPL is spreading across the globe and it seems to be the organization with the largest activities regarding peace in this decade.