In 1989 under the blessing of His Holiness Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Situpa, “PILGRIMAGE for ACTIVE PEACE” started taking place in the holy places for different faiths throughout various parts of the world. It first started in Bodhgaya where Buddha attained enlightenment and then onto other holy places such as Vatican, Assisi, etc.
Through this historical background and connection, this time His Holiness Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa was invited by International Sufi Council and Madam Brigitte van Baren, Initiator of Peace Pledge Project seriously and sincerely to join and lead peace pledge activities in Greenland and Assisi together with other spiritual leaders from six different religions, scientists, water experts and many movers and shakers involving in world peace and environmental protection.
The youngest participating leader was a 17 years old International Children’s Peace Prize winner, Mohamad Al Jounde. The oldest leader was the 97 years old Murshid Dr. H.J. Karimbakhsh Witteveen who was the formal Minister of Finance, vice Prime Minister of Netherlands and Chair of Universal Sufi Council. Also among the oldest participants was the 97 years old Very Venerable Lama Lodoe who is the most respected tutor of H.H. Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa who enjoyed the entire Peace Pledge program in good spirits.
Every spiritual leader and every respected leader from different fields shared their concerns and thoughts on how to take action in world Peace, environment and protecting the precious glaciers from melting.
In the holy chapel, the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, the leaders joined and mixed together the water brought from Ganges River and Greenland symbolizing the respect towards water that is most precious to us.
Finally major religious leaders made serious prayers in turns to dedicate Active Peace for the world. I also had the opportunity to make simple but serious prayers for humanity and environment to have a harmonious balance until we reach our final destination of enlightenment. I did my best with clear aspirations and strong dedication. Personally I had enjoyed my participation in the events. All the religious leaders and the movers and shakers in world peace and environment are so sincere. Witnessing how they unitedly vow to do their best for the world to me is a convincing evidence of the actualization on the vision H.H. Chamgong Kenting Tai Situpa had since very young age and what he has spent more than a quarter century advocating for – “Active Peace – One World – One Humanity.”
Interview by Ms. Julie Schelling who is in charge of social media for Peace Pledge Project
My prayers and chant at Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi