Pilgrimage to India and The Peace Pledge

February 2017

The Peace Project’s first initiative was a pilgrimage to India where a commitment was made

to live, circulate and advance the Peace Pledge.

It’s meaning is not new. It has been the central message of prophets and wise of all traditions

for thousands of years. At this moment the world is being torn apart by pride, arrogance,

religious bigotry, extreme nationalism, and public policies based on fear and aspirations of

dominance. The consequences are war, gross inequalities of wealth distribution, and a

failure to provide basic needs such as clean drinking water for all. Bringing core spiritual

values into practice is a necessary element for human survival and thriving. The Peace

Pledge does not speak for itself; our lives must give it voice:

THE PEACE PLEDGE

TO LIVE LOVING-KINDNESS AND COMPASSION

The journey of life is a pilgrimage; beautiful qualities are a compass.

Intending to advance PEACE and HARMONY in our personal lives and in the world, we

affirm the following:

We commit to treat all lives with LOVING-KINDNESS and COMPASSION.

We reject the distortions of religious, national, and racial prejudice, which are used to violate

the Golden Rule to treat others as we wish to be treated.

We respect the diversity of ways people pursue their individual ideals.

We challenge the misuse of beliefs, rites, rituals, practices, philosophies, and traditions used to

degrade anyone or which lead to violence. We affirm the necessity of bringing LOVING- KINDNESS

and COMPASSION into action.

Through such actions, we seek to improve the relationships of people --

one nation to another, one religion to another, one belief system to another, one gender to

another, one race to another, and one person to another.

We call upon all people of good will to join this pledge:

We pledge that in all we intend, think, and do, we shall strive to bring LOVING-

KINDNESS and COMPASSION into action and into the lives of all we meet.

Spiritual Leaders of many faiths Peace Pilgrimage Water Ceremony Dargah Hazrat Inayat

Khan New Delhi

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The best of ideas are simple and clear and when executed also inspire many others to

action. Nonagenarian Dr. Johannes Witteveen is the former Executive Director of the

International Monetary Fund and a world-renowned Sufi leader known as Murshid

Karimbakhsh. In the past few years he has been bringing together spiritually inspired leaders

to reflect on how to advance greater human harmony and unity. The Peace Project emerged

from the deliberations of the Universal Sufi Counsel and began this past February as the first

of what will be many interfaith pilgrimages to sacred places to advance Loving-Kindness and

Compassion -- values central to our lives and principles to guide institutions.

Led by Zen Master Brigitte Van Baren, an international interfaith group of Peace Pilgrims,

travelled to India from February 14-17, 2017. The pilgrims, and many leaders who joined in

this first endeavor of The Peace Project’s activities, shared an understanding that the core of

all spiritual experience, as well as the authentic value of every religious tradition, is the

mystery and majesty of Loving-Kindness and Compassion.

The India Times, India’s most respected newspaper, covered the pilgrimage

(http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ajmer/religious-leaders-in-ajmer-to-promote-love-

compassion/articleshow/57213334.cms (see also enclosed copy of the article) which held

gatherings at the shrines of the saints venerated by devotees of multiple religions -- Hazrat

Inayat Khan, Nizamuddin Aulia, and Hazrat Khwaja Moinudeen Chishty – visited the offices

of the President of India, and conducted a public event at the Islamic Center in New Delhi.

The first destination of the pilgrimage was the Dargah (Center and Shrine) in Delhi, India

dedicated to Hazrat Inayat Khan, a Sufi Master of the 20th century who taught that truth is

universal, found in all religions, and brings harmony, beauty and human unity to all who

pursue it with sincerity.

Storydancer, Zuleikha danced a story of caring for the planet; and an enchanting musical

Raga offering led by the singing of Pir Shabda Kahn, an American spiritual leader

(accompanied by accomplished classical Indian musicians Ustad Murad Ali Khan - Sarangi

and Ustad Rafiuddin Sabri - Tabla) opened hearts. The participants then held a Walk of

Hope to the Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia, one of the world’s most famous saints.

Although he died in 1325 his shrine remains to this day a magnet of people of all faiths and

social strata to come to affirm two principles he taught and lived: Nearness to God comes

through love and love and service to humanity is a perfect practice for spiritual growth.

La ter, at the Dargah of Hazrat Inayat Khan, a diverse interfaith dialogue with leaders and

practitioners of numerous faith traditions and water experts from the Netherlands, made it

clear how important access to clean drinker water is for a good and harmonious life. In

addition, water has a spiritual meaning, because of its flexibility that makes it move around

obstacles.

The dialogues concluded with enthusiasm that the Peace Pledge should be circulated and

endorsed by as many people and institutions as possible. The document speaks for itself and

it is now the commitment of the Peace Project to offer it to the world to advance the message

of the Pledg. An interfaith presentation, In the Heart of All, was held at the Islamic Center

and videos of the dynamic presentations are linked below. Presenters included:

1. Keynote Jonathan Granoff , President Global Security Institute and Ambassador for Peace, Security and Disarmament of the Parliament of World Religions https://youtu.be/jB0CRX8geUI

2. Welcome Message Prof Witteveen

https://youtu.be/Q9P_j1-P1iA

3. Message His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar, Art of Living Foundation https://youtu.be/pyImlXJOz3A

4. Message His Holiness 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche https://youtu.be/ZzLluq9SD3E

5. Message Chan Master Hsin Tao https://youtu.be/AmCD2RBmPyI

6. Message Sri M, shared by Lakshmi Bhatia https://youtu.be/mCQmFkwmZGs

7. Keynote Imam Dr Umer Ilyasi, Chief Imam of all India Imam Organizations https://youtu.be/QElXO34Hn_U

8. Kriya Yoga Master, Parhamahansa Prjananada https://youtu.be/ql2k9o6cjFk

9. Audrey Kitagawa, World Federation of United Nations Associations https://youtu.be/RwdBkcQJAtk

10. Sheikh Hayat Nur Artiran, Turkey https://youtu.be/QFa7aXoFBwU

11. Message President of India, Honourable Sri Pranab Mukherjee, shared by Lakshmi Bhatia https://youtu.be/v-ZkCBVx3Yo

12. Keynote Sheikh Ahmed Tijani Ben Omaar, Ghana, together with Pir Shabda Kahn Sufi Leader U.S.A. https://youtu.be/RUtZ_b5_9j0

13. Thanking words Syed Salman Chishty, Chishty(ra) Ajmer Sharif https://youtu.be/KZzRbX07U_I

14. Written Message from Dadi Janki Leader Brahma Kumaris

“Love Toward All – Malice Towards None” is the motto of the Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja

Moinuddin Chishty in Ajmer and the pilgrims took a train there. The entire train car sang

along with Pir Shabda Kahn asking blessing on all living beings to be peaceful and happy. It

was a public spiritual international interfaith sing along and the train car resonated with joy.

Syed Salman Chishty, a direct descendant of the Saint who passed over 800 years ago,

hosted the group like royalty and numerous prayers, meditations, singing, and gatherings

were impeccably arranged. The group was uplifted by the inspiring Ghanaian Sheik Ahmed

Tijani, who joined in song with the famous Qawalis. The Shrine in Ajmer attracts millions

each year, and it is noteworthy to highlight the inclusion of Christian, Muslim, and Hindu

devotees. It serves as an example of love in action and an affirmation that the purity of one

individual can inspire millions for centuries.

At the various shrines, chaddars, elegant cloth coverings used to cover the graves of Sufi

saints, from the Shrine of Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, who is buried near Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania in the United States, were brought and ceremonially placed on the sacred

places of rest. Prayers in each venue were offered and many who joined in the ceremonies

experienced the presence of peace and grace.

Below are some photos (enclosed) short biographies of some of the many extraordinary and

inspiring leaders who joined the pilgrimage and committed to advancing the Peace Pledge.

We all ask you to join us in striving to obtain its realization. It needs our hearts to bring it to

life today.

Our Special thanks for Dr Farida Ali and Lakshmi Bhatia, the great organizers in India

through which help and support this pilgrimage event was so wonderfully arranged!

The Times of India reported on the pilgrimage in a tasteful article:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ajmer/religious-leaders-in-ajmer-to-promote-love-

compassion/articleshow/57213334.cms (See Below)

PICTURES KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AND PARTICIPANTS PEACE PILGRIMAGE.

Spiritual Leaders Peace Pilgrimage Water Ceremony Dargah Hazrat Inayat Khan New Delhi

Meeting with The Press Secretary Shri. Venu Rajamony Presidents House New Delhi

Keynote Speech Imam Dr Umer Ilyassi, Chiem Imam of all India Imam Organizations Public event Islamic Center, New Delhi

Jonathan Granoff, Sheikh Syedd Safuddin Ahmed, Syed Salman Chishty Ajmer

Group Picture in front of the Dargah of Hazrat Khwja Moinudeen Chishty(ra) Ajmer Sharif

Chadar from the Shrine of Bawa Muhaiyaddeen for the Shrine of Hazrat Kwaja Moinudeen Ajmer

5/7/2017 Religious leaders in Ajmer to promote love, compassion –

Times of India

Religious leaders in Ajmer to promote love, compassion

TNN | Feb 18, 2017, 09.49 AM IST

AJMER: Spiritual and religious leaders from around the world

reached Ajmer on Friday to offer prayers at the dargah of Khwaja

Moinuddin Chisti and promote harmony and peace among all

communities and nations.

This delegation has come to attend a programme near the shrine

of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya as the part of a 'mission'.

Haji Syed Salman Chishtim, director, Chishti Foundation, Ajmer

Sharif Humanitarian Non-Profit Trust, said that this is a

programme to support like-minded people and leaders from

around the world.

This programme has been initiated by 95-year-old Sufi master

Johannes Witteveen, former managing director of the

International Monetary Fund and minister of treasury of the

Netherlands, as part of the Universal Sufi Council's efforts to

promote human unity, harmony and peace among religions and

nations.

Others are Zen teacher Brigitte van Baren, director of Inner Sense,

Jonathan Granoff, president of the Global Security Institute, and

Sufi Pir Shabda Kahn, Pir of Sufi Ruhaniat International.

Joining them in Delhi will be Dr Karan Singh, a spiritualist, Dr

Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, chief Imam, All India Imam

Organization, Swami Chidanand Saraswati from Parmarth

Ashram, Rishikesh, and many others.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ajmer/religious-leaders-in-ajmer-to-promote-love-

compassion/articleshowprint/57213334.cms 1/1