By Lakhvinder Singh
If others actively wage war, we must actively "Wage Peace."
Today, facing growing violence in our society and around the world, there is an urgent need to show that the true bravery needed to counter conflict takes the form, as Mahatma Gandhi said, of "waging peace." We cannot counter violence with more violence.
We must realize that to build a peaceful society we must build peace at all levels: individual, societal, national and global.
The first level for waging peace is building peace "within," between man and his creator. The establishment of true harmony between man and nature is the fundamental requirement for any peaceful society.
The second level of peace-building is the creation of peace between the members of the family. Our materialistic attitude toward our surroundings, and toward each other, has created unlimited desires that are tearing our families apart.
The third level of peace-building is the creation of peace and harmony between the members of our society so that they feel unity and a common cause. Thoughtless consumption and materialism has created terrible alienation that leaves us all isolated and lonely.
The fourth level of the peace movement is to bring peace to the international community by establishing a new consensus about our priorities. Most countries are pushing for their selfish interests without concern for the needs of other countries, for the common good or even for their own future.
In order to be certain that our efforts are sustainable and we create a true culture of peace we must establish peace at all four levels. Peace between man and his creator, between family members and society, and between nations, are closely interrelated and interdependent. Peace at one level cannot exist without peace at other level.
We must come together and address all the intricacies of this complicated problem of peace-building. We urgently need to engage all members of society around the world to create a true culture for peace that is unstoppable.
With the election of Moon Jae-in as president of Korea a new ray of peace of has appeared on the Korean Peninsula. Let his message of harmony and reconciliation bring peace not only to the Korean Peninsula, but to the whole world. Let us pray for his success and march for peace on May 14 in downtown Seoul.
We will be there. Will you?
The author is director of the Peace Program at The Asia Institute in Seoul. For more details of the Peace March on 14th May please contact parvkaur@hanmail.net.
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Today, facing growing violence in our society and around the world, there is an urgent need to show that the true bravery needed to counter conflict takes the form, as Mahatma Gandhi said, of "waging peace." We cannot counter violence with more violence.
We must realize that to build a peaceful society we must build peace at all levels: individual, societal, national and global.
The first level for waging peace is building peace "within," between man and his creator. The establishment of true harmony between man and nature is the fundamental requirement for any peaceful society.
The second level of peace-building is the creation of peace between the members of the family. Our materialistic attitude toward our surroundings, and toward each other, has created unlimited desires that are tearing our families apart.
The third level of peace-building is the creation of peace and harmony between the members of our society so that they feel unity and a common cause. Thoughtless consumption and materialism has created terrible alienation that leaves us all isolated and lonely.
The fourth level of the peace movement is to bring peace to the international community by establishing a new consensus about our priorities. Most countries are pushing for their selfish interests without concern for the needs of other countries, for the common good or even for their own future.
In order to be certain that our efforts are sustainable and we create a true culture of peace we must establish peace at all four levels. Peace between man and his creator, between family members and society, and between nations, are closely interrelated and interdependent. Peace at one level cannot exist without peace at other level.
We must come together and address all the intricacies of this complicated problem of peace-building. We urgently need to engage all members of society around the world to create a true culture for peace that is unstoppable.
With the election of Moon Jae-in as president of Korea a new ray of peace of has appeared on the Korean Peninsula. Let his message of harmony and reconciliation bring peace not only to the Korean Peninsula, but to the whole world. Let us pray for his success and march for peace on May 14 in downtown Seoul.
We will be there. Will you?
The author is director of the Peace Program at The Asia Institute in Seoul. For more details of the Peace March on 14th May please contact parvkaur@hanmail.net.
