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THE SACRED READINGS ARCHIVE

Date: SEPTEMBER 9,  2001 - TORONTO
Readings: Cherag Gabriel Mezei
SUBJECT:  “May All Have Peace”
 
HINDUISM

May the heads of all countries and races be guided to understand that people of all nations are physically and spiritually one: Physically one, because we are descendents of common parents – the symbolic Adam and Eve. Spiritually one, because we are the immortal children of our father, bound by eternal links of brotherhood.

Let us pray in our hearts for a league of souls and a united world. Though we may seem to be divided by race, creed,
colour, class, and political prejudices, still, as children of the One God we are able in our souls to feel brotherhood/sisterhood and world unity. May we work for the creation of a united world in which every nation will be a useful part, guided by God through humanity’s enlightened conscience. In our hearts we can all learn to be free from hate and selfishness. Let us pray for harmony among the nations, that they march hand in hand through the gate of a fair new civilization.

Paramahansa Yogananda, Metaphysical Meditations. From “Amen: Prayers and Blessings from Around the World.
 

BUDDHISM

Our great compassionate Buddha I devotedly kneel before your altar,  I pray you'll hear me confiding to you my innermost feelings. The world is engaged in war, killing one another with destructive gunfire. The people are engaged in verbal war, swearing at one another with venomous abuse. The age-old craving of the ego keeps on turning and tossing like a swift current. The vengeance of one tribe against another grows and breeds unabatedly.
Please hear what I have to pray to you: I pray that this world will have no more jealousy but only kind words, no more hatred but only harmony, no more greed but only sharing and giving, no more hurting but only well wishing. We pray that in this world man and woman, young and old alike will live joyously. We pray that in this world the rich and the poor, the noble and the ignoble will respect one another. We pray that in this world the government, the farmers, the industrialists and the merchants will work together. We pray that in this word religion and race will receive and accommodate one another.
Our great compassionate Buddha! You once said:
"The heart, the Buddha and the sentient beings, all three are no different from one another. You, me and they, all stand equal to one another."
We yearn to learn from your wisdom, to bring closer the distance between us and the people. We yearn to learn from your non-ego to release us from the grasping attachment.  We yearn to learn from the truth to free us and the world from racial confrontation. We yearn to learn from your compassion to resolve the conflict from one nation against the other. We yearn to learn from your enlightenment to cast darkness away from our world.
Our great compassionate Buddha! We pray you will accept our utmost sincere prayer. We pray you will give peace to this world. We pray you will give happiness to all people. Our great compassionate Buddha! We pray you will accept our utmost sincere prayer  to find perfect peace within us.

Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Prayer for World Peace.
 

ZOROASTRIAN

I will invoke Peace, whose breath is friendly,
Who is more powerful than all other creatures.
In the reign of Peace there is neither hunger nor thirst,
Neither cold wind nor hot wind,
Neither old age nor death.

The Zend Avesta of Zarathustra
 

JUDAISM

Truly, wait quietly for God, O my Soul,
for my hope comes from Him.
He is my rock and deliverance,
my haven; I shall not be shaken.
I rely on God, my deliverance and glory,
my rock of strength; in God is my refuge.
Trust in Him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts before Him; God is our refuge.

Psalms 62:6-9. Tanakh, The Holy Scriptures,
 

CHRISTIANITY

Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth.
Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to truth.
Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace.
Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe
Peace!   Peace!   Peace!

Mother Theresa, in “A Simple Path.” p 171.
 

ISLAM

Love all and hate none. Mere talk of peace will avail you naught. Mere talk of God and religion will not take you far. Bring out all of the latent powers of your being and reveal the full magnificence of your immortal “Self". Be surcharged with peace and joy, and scatter them wherever you are and wherever you go. Be a blazing fire of Truth, be a beauteous blossom of Love and be a soothing balm of Peace. With your spiritual light, dispel the darkness of ignorance; dissolve the clouds of discord and war and spread goodwill, peace, and harmony among the people. Never seek any help, charity, or favors from anybody except God. Never go to the courts of kings, but never refuse to bless and help the needy and the poor; the widow, and the orphan, if they come to your door. This is your mission, to serve the people... Carry it out dutifully and courageously….

Khwaja Mu’inuddin Chisti, Nasihah (parting sermon.) From The Holy Biography of Khwaja Mu’inuddin Chisti, by W.D.Begg
 

FROM HAZRAT INAYAT KHAN

Send Thy peace, O Lord, which is perfect and everlasting, that our souls may radiate peace. Send Thy peace, O Lord, that we may think, act, and speak harmoniously. Send Thy peace, O Lord, that we may be contented and thankful for Thy bountiful gifts. Send Thy peace, O Lord, that amidst our worldly strife we may enjoy Thy bliss. Send Thy peace, O Lord, that we may endure all, tolerate all, in the thought of Thy grace and mercy. Send Thy peace, O Lord, that our lives may become a divine vision, and in Thy light all darkness may vanish. Send Thy peace, O Lord, our Father and Mother, that we, Thy children on earth, may all unite in one family. Amen

Hazrat Inayat Khan