~ P e r s p e c t i v e ~

*peaceful people * These are some people who have made a difference for peace. The list is of course, highly subjective, being only those I know of, but I do not think I am unique in thinking of these particular people as peaceful leaders. *Peace Pilgrim* *Albert Einstein* *His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama* *Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau* *King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan* *David Lange* *Sting* *His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama* ~*~ Tenzin Gyatso ~*~ His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the winner of the 1989 Nobel Prize in Peace, awarded for his advocacy of universal responsibility and his non-violent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. He has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. "When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us. When our community is in a state of peace, it can share that peace with neighboring communities." Dalai Lama is a Mongolian title meaning "Ocean of Wisdom" and the Dalai Lamas are manifestations of the Bodhisattva (Buddha) of Compassion. Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have postponed their own nirvana and chosen to take rebirth to serve humanity. "For as long as space endures, and for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide to dispel the misery of the world." His Holiness has traveled to many countries and met with many people, and received many honorary doctorates, awards, and prizes for his work for peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion. No wonder I think he's amazing! *links* The Government of Tibet in Exile Free Tibet Campaign Students for a free Tibet Return to top of page *Sting* ~*~ ! ~*~ ~* fragile *~ Perhaps this final act was meant To clinch a lifetime's argument That nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could For all those born beneath an angry star Lest we forget how fragile we are On and on the rain will fall Like tears from a star Like tears from a star On and on the rain will say How fragile we are How fragile we are ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ British musician Sting is an advocate for peace and environment, whose lyrics often contain political messages of peace and love. He has been awarded by the Arab American Institute Foundation for his work on human rights and the environment. Sting founded the Rainforest Foundation to safeguard the rights of indigenous peoples and the environment. Sting ~ the official site The Rainforest Foundation Return to top of page *King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan* ~*~ the peaceful King ~*~ 1936-1999 An outspoken advocate for peace, King Hussein helped Jordan to find peace, stability and moderation in the Middle East. His efforts for peace were particularly courageous and visionary because they were against the surrounding environment of war and violence "Nothing is more useless in developing a nation’s economy than a gun, and nothing blocks the road to social development more than the financial burden of war. War is the arch enemy of national progress and the modern scourge of civilized man." In 1994, King Hussein and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin signed a peace treaty which formally ended 46 years of war between the two nations. "Well, peace, if it comes to that part of the world, will mean a great difference to a lot of people and the area's important to the rest of the world. It will mean peace between the followers of the three great religions. It will mean an entirely new future for that entire region, and it will mean the removal of the root cause of a lot of instability within the region and beyond. So isn't that worth the effort?" "We quarrel, we agree, we are friendly, we are not friendly, but we have no right to dictate, through irresponsible action or narrow-mindedness, the future of our children and their children's children. There has been enough destruction - enough death - enough waste. And it's time that, together, we occupy a place beyond ourselves, our peoples, that is worthy of them under the sun, the descendants of the children of Abraham." *links* The Office of King Hussein Children's Online Tribute to King Hussein of Jordan Return to top of page *Albert Einstein* ~*~ the pacifist 1879-1955 Albert Einstein is a personal hero of mine for many reasons, one of course being his efforts and thoughts on peace. "Concern for man himself and his fate must always be the chief interest of all technical endeavours... In order that the creations of our minds shall be a blessing and not a curse to mankind. Never forget this in the midst of your diagrams and equations." Einstein worked for peace during World war I. During World War II he was fearful of what would happen if Germany developed the first atomic bomb, and he wrote a letter to the president urging him to be alert and prepared. When he found out that indeed, America was first, and of the horrors of Hiroshima, he deeply regretted his involvement, and was strongly active for peace for the rest of his life. "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." Return to top of page *Peace Pilgrim* ~*~ ~*~ "I shall remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the ways of peace..." Peace Pilgrim walked more than 25,000 miles, carrying in her blue tunic her only possessions. She walked across America for nearly three decades for peace. How inspiring is that! "This is the way of peace. Overcome evil with good, Falsehood with truth, And hatred with love." The Peace Pilgrim Homepage Return to top of page *Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau* ~*~ ~*~ Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau had a view of our world as united, with the oceans making all of our planet one entity, and he was a passionate environmentalist. "There are no boundaries in the real Planet Earth. No United States, no Soviet Union, no China, no Taiwan.... Rivers flow unimpeded across the swaths of continents. The persistent tides -- the pulse of the sea -- do not discriminate; they push against all the varied shores on Earth." Jacques Cousteau's Bill of Rights for Future Generations was signed by millions of people throughout the world. A quote from this bill of rights: "Future generations have a right to an uncontaminated and undamaged Earth and to its enjoyment as the ground of human history, of culture, and of the social bonds that make each generation and individual a member of one human family." Return to top of page *Right Honorable David Lange* ~*~ former Prime Minister of New Zealand ~*~ In 1986 David Lange was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts for nuclear freedom, and for creating and protecting New Zealand's nuclear-free status. It should also be noted this movement owes a lot to many New Zealand peacekeepers and citizens, with 74 percent of people in favour of banning nuclear-armed ships, and two thirds of New Zealand's population living in self-proclaimed ‘nuclear-free zones’. Becoming a nuclear free country was an inspiring step, for the sense was of one small country standing firm against opposition and severe pressure from major countries like America. We are proud to be nuclear free. *Mother Teresa* ~*~ ~*~ Upon winning the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize ~ "I choose the poverty of our poor people. But I am grateful to receive [the Nobel] in the name of the hungry, the naked, the homeless, of the crippled, of the blind, of the lepers, of all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared-for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone." *Dr Carl Sagan* ~*~ ~*~ A famous astronomer and author, Carl Sagan was also recognised for his outspoken advocacy of peace and nuclear disarmament. Pale Blue Dot ~ excerpt ** ~*~ ~*~ Writings on recent events, peace... ~*~*Kaleah*~*~*His holiness the Dalai Lama*~*~*Dr. Jose Ramos Horta, East Timor*~*~*Zoketsu Norman Fischer ~*~ Everyday Zen Foundation* ~*~*Tamim Ansary*~*~*James Twyman*~*~ *Deepak Chopra*~*~ *The NVisible ~*~ Solara & the 11:11*~*~ *Gary Zukov*~*~ *bomb them with butter*~*~*V-Day ~*~ Eve Anslar*~*~ ~*~ *prayers for peace* ~*~ *peaceful quotes* ~*~ *people of peace* ~*~ *peaceful links* ~*~ *peace home page* ~*~ *unity* *perspective* *beautiful world* *view/sign guestbook*