Prayer for World Peace
On 27 October 1986, the first World Day of Prayer for Peace was organised by Pope John Paul II in Asisi Italy. It brought 43 different faiths and all together 160 religious leaders with their respectful ways of blessings and rituals in a prayer for world peace. Fo Guang Shan (FGS) has joined this meaningful event since the 16th Prayer of World Peace in 2002 to promote a peaceful place for every being on earth to live in. Today, the Interfaith Society of Christchurch organizes the Prayer for World Peace as an annual event in their calendar.
25 years after the first Asisi Day of Prayer for World Peace, Sister Bertha Hurley of the Catholics in Christchurch organized the Prayer for World Peace on 23 October 2011 at the Peace Bell in Botanic Garden, Christchurch. FGS and Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island represented by Venerable Miaoyu, BLIA upcoming president See-Shen Lee, upcoming vice-president Gina Chen and Louisa Kuo, YAD president Hao-Tin Lin and many more members attended the event.
Sister Bertha gratefully thanked everyone in attending the 25th Anniversary of the Asisi Day of Prayer for World Peace in Christchurch. Bishop Barry Jones of the Catholics was first invited to light the Asisi candle after which the Bishop rang the Peace bell, calling people to prayer. Representatives from all faiths then read out prayers correspondingly. Venerable Miaoyu presided BLIA members in reading the “Prayer of World Peace” by the founder of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order Venerable Master Hsing Yun in a dignifying way which gave everyone a meaning of value in living peacefully.
After the prayers from all faiths, Bishop Barry Jones then made a citation of the oil spill in Tauranga and the incidents that happened to the people from Philippines. He then gave a few words in thanking everyone for attending and wishing the world a better place to live in. The event ended with the song “Let there be Peace on Earth”. FGS and BLIA members wishing all sentient beings no matter which faith or race would continue to bring peace and harmony to the world.