Peace Times 17

I rejoice in the ever increasing number of meetings organised between the members of different spiritual traditions because I am convinced that interreligious dialogue can offer peace to each and every individual, as well as to the entire world. I also consider it particularly important that, in this day and age, organisations such as the United Nations and Unesco are opening their doors to spiritual leaders. I sincerely hope that peace will emerge as the new «fashion» in this millennium, followed and desired by everyone!

Many years ago, I left my monastery and the social status reserved in the east for reincarnated spiritual leaders to live in the west. I travel continuously propagating a message of inner peace, self-healing and environmental care. My principal spiritual practice is, in fact, based upon the development of inner peace. I have no knowledge or particular interest in politics; my only wish is to somehow contribute to the creation world peace.

We are now in the era of kaliyuga, the age of the five degenerations. The inner worlds of both people and the planet are restless and angry; the elements of the container (the earth) and of the contents (living beings) are seriously imbalanced and polluted. In these times, negative emotions and mistaken viewpoints are prevalent, death arrives all too easily and the global situation is fragile and dangerous.

Throughout history, various secular educational systems have been developed which, in some ways, have proved to be inadequate or difficult to enact. There also exist already many peace structures and systems, which are wonderful, but unfortuantely these alone are not sufficient to satisfy all the needs of living beings. For this very reason today, at the beginning of the third millennium, it is necessary for religious leaders to seriously assume responsibility for the future of humanity and the planet by uniting to resolve the innumerable problems which torment the XXI century. It is their responsibilty, and that of every practitioner, to build a solid foundation which makes inner peace education available to all.

All spiritual traditions and religions are rich in educational methods to develop inner peace which, however, have no weight in our modern society. To rediscover these ancient peace teachings religious leaders have to present them in a new updated package - adapted to the mentality of the new generations. The development of inner peace is a fundamental necessity of human beings, like food, clothes, shelter...
I am certain that the spiritual traditions can save humanity and contribute to the creation of world peace, by putting at the disposition of the planetary community their precious educational methods, after they are repackaged to adequately fulfil the needs of present day lifestyle.

Spiritual traditions can and should make constructive contributions to the organisation of this world, until the planet is a livable place for all beings. The super accelerated changes that have deeply affected global society have induced a great number of people to search for peace, health and happiness in the wrong directions. It is the duty of religious leaders to show to them the correct path. They have to work together on areas of common interest, without losing their cultural and philosophical doctrine, to make available all the ideas of their spiritual tradition.

I believe that peace is the wish and objective of everyone - the essence of every religious tradition and the desire of all holy beings. I pray that the World Peace Buddha, Omniscient God, all the divinities and enlightened beings will help us to preserve our ancient inner science techniques, because peace education is the best opportunity we have to attain health and happiness for our children and the future generations of the third millennium.

T.Y.S. Lama Gangchen