May 11, 2009, 12.00am IST
INDU JAIN.
There is no shortage of institutes and organisations that teach how to wage war. But who teaches peace?
Who teaches how to look at conflict from the perspective of peace? Spiritual gurus teach peace. However, separating the art and science of peace from the mainstream would lead to only more conflict and confusion. Governments have dedicated ministries and departments for defence, but none are dedicated to teaching peace.
Pacifism is perceived as being antithetic to real politics, because those in government view pacifism as a weak strategy. Offence is not the best form of defence. It requires far more courage to stand up for peace than for war.
What is the relevance of teaching peace in government? Those in governance need to value those who teach peace. A great start would be to set aside at least one per cent of the defence budget to teach peace. Individuals and civil society groups have for long taken up the cause of peace, but when the initiative comes from the government as a Sahabhagi in the form of participatory governance in the peace movement, the impact would completely transform our way of life. We need to cultivate peace, grassroots upwards. Peace ought to be part of a child's school curriculum.
The Times Foundation has a mission: to teach peace and create public awareness of the need to cultivate a peace perspective, through the World Wisdom Centre by supporting efforts towards achieving this goal. It can be easily done because we are requesting people to make available any space they have that is free for some time during the day, for activities of the Teach Peace movement and to strengthen the Alliance for a New Humanity.
Why do we need a movement to teach peace? The so-called differences in religious scriptures is what leads to conflict. We need to find commonalities and highlight them for our greatest common benefit. Science and spirituality could come together towards expanding human consciousness, taking us on the path of Oneness. For example, electricity is a scientific invention; it gives light and heat. But it is not restricted to only the person or place of invention; it is available to people worldwide. Similarly, religious doctrines have in them ways to acquire peace, not just for the followers of one guru or religion, but also for everyone to live in harmony and peace.
Talk of peace is valuable when it refers to inner peace. Only then it will aid a great transformation, bringing about harmony as we realise we are all One. Teach Peace is joining hands with Deepak Chopra's Alliance for a New Humanity and many other renowned masters and gurus so that as Sahabhagis, we can make progress on a path of inner peace that is long awaited.
The need of the hour is a Peace Alliance of Spiritual Masters. We have academies and centres that train students to fight for peace but none to train people to love for peace, to resolve conflicts through dialogue and understanding in practice rather than theory.
The art of life, of learning how to coexist peacefully, to respect all religions and faiths, is something that needs to be taught and inculcated from childhood. Children should learn that there are different ways of reaching the human destination through perfection that is, to experience the utmost flowering, the Oneness. After all, what do we have besides us? All we have is `us'. It is important to teach children the peaceful way of life. Teach Peace will show the way of life where there is little or no room for conflict. Teach Peace will create harmony and Oneness among all and nature.
Join us. As Sahabhagis, let's transform, serve and connect with the three Ps - public-private partnership.
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