a buddhist perspective

Peace—the long cherished dream of humanity. At its heart lies the under­standing that world peace will only be attained when we first end the wars within each of us: when we let go of selfishness, let go of the desire to control others, let go of discrimination by nationality, belief, and race. And when we genuinely realize that in any conflict the victor inevitably becomes arrogant, while the defeated inexorably dwells in pain, and that the wise person turns away from both winning and losing to live in contentment and peace.

Nonviolence is the law of our species
as violence is the law of the brute.

The spirit lies dormant in the brute,
and he knows no law but that of physical might.

The dignity of man requires obedience
to a higher law—to the strength of the spirit. 

~ Mahatma Ghandi 

The following is the sutra that the monks of Burma were peacefully chanting as they walked through the streets.

Who seeks to promote his welfare,
Having glimpsed the state of perfect peace,
Should be able, honest and upright,
Gentle in speech, meek and not proud.

Contented, he ought to be easy to support,
Not over-busy, and simple in living.
Tranquil his senses, let him be prudent,
And not brazen, nor fawning on families.

Also, he must refrain from any action
That gives the wise reason to reprove him.
(Then let him cultivate the thought:)
May all be well and secure,
May all beings be happy!

Whatever living creatures there be,
Without exception, weak or strong,
Long, huge or middle-sized,
Or short, minute or bulky,

Whether visible or invisible,
And those living far or near,
The born and those seeking birth,
May all beings be happy!

Let none deceive or decry
His fellow anywhere;
Let none wish others harm
In resentment or in hate.

Just as with her own life
A mother shields from hurt
Her own son, her only child,
Let all-embracing thoughts
For all beings be yours.

Cultivate an all-embracing mind of love
For all throughout the universe,
In all its height, depth and breadth --
Love that is untroubled
And beyond hatred or enmity.

As you stand, walk, sit or lie,
So long as you are awake,
Pursue this awareness with your might:
It is deemed the Divine State here.

Holding no more to wrong beliefs,
With virtue and vision of the ultimate,
And having overcome all sensual desire,
Never in a womb is one born again.

~ Translated by Acharya Buddharakkhita

Time has no beginning;
it has no end.
Throughout immeasurable eons,
violence and conflict have abounded,
and body and spirit deeply wounded.
May the time for healing begin now.

Immersed in anger,
polluted by selfishness.
As though ensnared,
humanity has been beset by ignorance.
But wisdom and compassion lie buried within.
May serenity and insight arise now.

We are not separate:
we are one.
Seeming differences are inconsequential
for our hearts are the same.
Respect and harmony are waiting to awaken.

May universal peace begin now.

May all beings wish to become
healing herbs in the days of epidemics to cure the ill.

May they wish to become
rice plants in the days of famine to save the hungry.

~ Buddha