World Peace Ceremony

World Peace Ceremony

The International Day of Peace is an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly.

The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982. In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. Since the Centre's schedule does not always coincide with that date, we hold our ceremony as close as possible to the 21st.

By creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to work in cooperation for this goal. During the discussion of the UN Resolution that established the International Day of Peace, it was suggested that:

Ceremony Details

The World Peace Ceremony will be on Sunday, September 20, starting at 9 am with one hour of formal sitting. The ceremony begins at 10 am with a chanting service, which is followed by a group recitation of the names of all the world's countries along with the Peace Prayer (“May Peace Prevail in [name of country]”). The ceremony will conclude around 11 am.

Members of the public, including children, are welcome at this ceremony. Plan to arrive by 9:45 am. Everyone will join as a group at 10 am to begin the ceremony in the Buddha Hall. Please wear appropriate dress: No tanktops, jeans or shorts. Children should be accompanied by a parent.

Please join us on this special day. May Peace Prevail on Earth!