Observing the International Day of Peace

September 21, 2004

On Tuesday, 21 September 2004, all of Amma’s children are encouraged to perform and dedicate as much spiritual practices and prayers as possible for world peace. Everyone who practices Integrated Amrita Meditation can offer that day’s practice to world peace.

Amma’s ashrams, institutions and satsang groups around the world will hold gatherings to pray together for peace.

At Amritapuri
Amma will join her children for meditation. She will also give a short message about world peace. Tuesday is Meditation Day. The 2,000 Amritapuri residents will gather in the temple for silent meditation and japa throughout the day. Pujas/homas will be held for world peace.

There will also be a special ceremony involving the banyan tree sapling from Amritavarsham50, which Amma and President Of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam watered with sacred waters from 191nations.

For anyone wanting to participate (including Satsang groups and M. A. Centers)
Please start the morning prayer session by 11:00 am with the Dhyana Sloka, followed by the Sri Lalita Sahasranamam. (Please begin earlier if it takes longer than one hour to complete the archana.) A period of silence should be observed after the archana until 12 noon. At 12 noon everyone is requested to spend one minute silently praying for world peace. After this, light a small candle and chant aloud “Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu” for the peace and happiness of all beings 18 times. Finish the program with Aum Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

If you are planning for an evening program as well, it should include the above, as well as usual satsang, bhajans, etc.

Pujas & homas will be held for world peace at every Brahmasthanam Temple in India and Mauritius.

Please note: Since International Day of Peace (IDP) is on a Tuesday, and many may be busy working during the daytime program, devotees may want to hold an evening satsang on the 21st. This should include the daytime program (i.e. chanting the Sri Lalita Sahasranamam followed by observing one minute of silence and then chanting of Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu 18 times) as well as bhajans.

Please encourage as many people as you can to do the one-minute silent prayer irrespective of where they are or what they are doing.

-- Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri