World Peace Summit , United Nations - New York,
2000
Amma was an invited guest speaker at the Millennium World
Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders held at
the United Nations in New York on in August of 2000.
The opening ceremonies of the Millennium World Peace Summit included
prayers from the world's pre-eminent religious leaders. When the
Secretary General of the Summit, Mr. Bawa Jain, requested Amma to
grace the assembly with her prayers, she led the entire assembly
in prayers for the peace and happiness for all beings in all worlds.
She also led the following prayer to the Supreme:
Lead us from untruth to truth,
from darkness to light,
and from death to immortality.
Om Peace Peace Peace.
As always, Amma lent the proceedings a unique charm with her spontaneity,
humility, and tenderness. When asked by the press what she would
do if she ruled the world, she responded, "I would be a sweeper."
The journalist looked at her quizzically, and Amma explained with
a laugh, "I would sweep everyone's mind clean."
In most cases at the UN Summit, one could tell at a glance who
was a delegate, and what religion she or he represented: Christian
cardinals were in black and crimson; Hindu swamis were in orange;
Tibetan lamas were in yellow and red; Jewish rabbis were in black
and wore skull caps; Jains wore white and had small masks covering
their mouths. But in Amma's case, some had to be forgiven for mistakenly
approaching Swami Amritaswarupananda or Swamini Krishnamrita Prana,
thinking they were the delegates; their orange robes clearly marked
them as sannyasi's. Amma's simple, plain white sari, with no insignia
of rank or religion, was the exception in this chamber of colourful
and imaginative dress. As always, her unpretentious bearing and
manner were perfect disguises for the powerhouse she actually is.
The moment Amma walked purposefully to the podium, and turned
to address the assembly, her presence corrected any misimpression
that might have lodged among the religious leaders gathered there.
With a voice full of strength and tenderness, with words bearing
wisdom and humor, with a manner both confident and humble, Amma
spoke, stressing that there can be no peace without if there is
not peace within.
For the first time in the fifty-five year history of the United
Nations, the language of Malayalam was heard in the General Assembly
Hall.
Below are the excerpts from her address on the role of religion
in conflict transformation, entitled, "The Real Change Must
Happen Within," given at the Millennium World Peace Summit,
United Nations, 29 August 2000:
"We have stepped into the new millennium with great hopes
and expectations of change. But though the numbers denoting the
year are different, essentially nothing else has changed. The real
change must happen within us. For only when conflict and negativity
are removed from within, can we play a truly constructive role in
establishing peace."
"Peace is not just the absence of war and conflict; it goes
well beyond that. Peace must be fostered within the individual,
within the family and within society. Simply transferring the world's
nuclear weapons to a museum will not in itself bring about world
peace. The nuclear weapons of the mind must first be eliminated."
"We cannot lose sight of the essential needs of people, for
until these needs are met, it is impossible for anyone to aspire
to higher states of awareness and understanding. If, in any part
of the world, people are dying of hunger or suffering in poverty,
it is a matter of shame for all nations. Based on the religious
ideal of universal brotherhood, all nations that are in a position
to help should share their material wealth and resources. There
is enough for the survival of all living beings on this earth, yet
not enough to satisfy the greed of a few."
"Lending a helping hand to a neglected soul, feeding the hungry,
a compassionate smile towards the sad and dejected - this is the
real language of religion. We should invoke God's compassion in
our own hearts and hands. Living only for oneself is not life, but
death."
"There is one Truth that shines through all of creation. Rivers
and mountains, plants and animals, the sun, the moon and the stars,
you and I - all are expressions of this one Reality. It is by assimilating
this truth in our lives, and thus gaining a deeper understanding,
that we can discover the inherent beauty in this diversity. When
we work together as a global family, not merely belonging to a particular
race, religion or nation, peace and happiness will once again prevail
on this earth which is drenched with the tears of division and conflict."
-
Amma also called on the UN should strengthen their efforts
in the following globally recognized problem areas:
In God's creation, men and women are equal. But over the centuries,
the sad condition of women has not significantly improved. Women,
who give birth to humankind, should be assured an equal role
in society.
-
Millions of people are suffering from AIDS, which continues
to spread like wildfire. This disease must be brought under
control.
-
Let the UN lead the transformation from a world of conflict
to one of peace by training a group of youth in community service.
These young emissaries, serving selflessly throughout the world,
will inspire people to cultivate universal spiritual and human
values. What cannot be achieved through bloodshed, can be achieved
through love.
-
Terrorism and violence against human beings in the name of
any religion should be condemned at the international level
and the appropriate strong action should be taken.
Returning to India after the summit, Amma was greeted by the local
press.
Responding to a comment from a woman reporter who was happy that
Amma had spoken up for women while she was at the UN, Amma replied,
"In many nations, women are oppressed; they don't even have
the basic freedoms of life. In God's creation, women and men are
equal. They should have equal freedom. In the West, women are coping
with oppression by acting like men - they cut their hair, smoke
cigarettes and drink - thinking that this will make them equal to
men in society. But men are also unhappy with their lot in life,
and try to become more like women. But both are reaching nowhere.
Women should invoke the positive masculine qualities and men should
invoke feminine qualities. Every individual should have both courage
and compassion. Women give birth to men. Because she's a creator,
if she loses patience, the harmony of the world will be lost. Now
Indians have started imitating the West. Amma is happy if Indian
women gain the courage of Western women, but still maintain their
motherly qualities. If the heart is lost, the culture is lost."
En route from the airport to Amritapuri, Amma was received by thousands
of people as her car inched along the roads full of well-wishers.
In the local villages and along the seaside road to the Ashram,
every household irrespective of their religion or caste honored
Amma in the traditional way - by lighting oil lamps, burning incense
and waving camphor in front of their homes. Many offered garlands
to her and showered her with flowers. Enthusiastic cheers and firecrackers
announced her progress. Amma spent almost four hours driving the
last seven kilometers, taking time to give prasad to everyone she
passed. The enthusiasm and joy of the crowd reflected the pride
they felt in what they thought of as an invaluable contribution
to presenting the glory of their ancient culture in front of the
world. The respect and honor that Amma received from such an august
world body also added to their joy.
|
About
Amma
International
Forum