Proposal for a permanent spiritual forum at the UN
in answer to the challenges of the III millennium

Peace Times 10

How to live in harmony with oneself, with others and with
the environment. Let us listen to the voice of wisdom of
religious leaders

Sometimes religions have caused war or have been used by political and social leaders to justify various forms of violence and oppression. But at the same time, religions have been able to contribute significantly to the development of a culture of peace, crossing state borders and cultural differences, by promoting values such as non-violence, mutual respect, solidarity, compassion and justice in unison. All religions teach how to live in harmony both individually, with others and with the environment; in essence they are methods to cultivate inner peace. All the religions - even though each has their own doctrine - can play a decisive role in the building of a world of peace, seeing as inner peace is the most solid basis for world peace.

What we need is a permanent spiritual forum to hear the voices of the leaders of all religions, united in cooperation; a forum based upon pure ethical values, which is actively involved in the peace process. Such a forum would have to be able to enter into systematic dialogue with the United Nations, the most important international institution which has been working for over fifty years to make peace triumph upon the planet; in this way - based upon their ancient wisdom - they would suggest new solutions to those responsible for social, economic and environmental global development. Religions would also benefit from the constitution of a permanent spiritual forum under the umbrella of the UN: doubtlessly this would draw new energy by being truly relevant to the lives of billions of beings living on the earth; it would receive extraordinary impulses to resolve even those self generated conflicts. Peace is the essence of every religion; it is the only thing which guarantees true happiness. In fact, it is the objective of both believers and atheists, politicians and scientists, economists and ascetics. Peace is in our hands!

T.Y.S. Lama Gangchen