Do we want peace ?
- Part 2 -

Fr Paul Lelen Haokip *

C) PEACE WITH GOD:

In the New Testament, the primary Greek word for "peace" is eirene, and it refers to rest and tranquillity. God commands us to seek peace (Psalm 34:14; Matthew 5:9). We should "make every effort to do what leads to peace" (Romans 14:19). Of course, there will be some people who do not desire peace, but we are still to do our utmost to be at peace with them (Romans 12:18).

Believers have an obligation to "let the peace of God rule" in their hearts (Colossians 3:15). This means we have the choice either to trust God's promises (letting His peace rule) or to rely on ourselves and reject the peace He offers. Jesus gave His disciples peace based on the truth that He has overcome the world (John 14:27; 16:33). Peace is a fruit of the Spirit, so, if we are allowing the Spirit of God to rule in our lives, we will experience His peace. To be spiritually minded brings life and peace, according to Romans 8:6.

D) PEACE WITH MAN:

Peace is directly related to the actions and attitudes of individuals; but it is ultimately a gift from God (Isaiah 45:7; Leviticus 26:6; John 14:27). The presence of peace indicates God's blessing on man's obedience (Isaiah 32:17; Malachi 2:5) and faith (Isaiah 26:3). There is no peace for the wicked (Isaiah 48:22). A person who hasn't learnt peace within, peace with God, how will he/she possibly learn peace at all? Peace with man sustains life and well being. Once His peace rules in our hearts, we are able to share that peace with others; we become publishers of peace (Isaiah 52:7) and ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). We become channels of peace and promoters of peace within our human race.

PARTNERSHIPS FOR PEACE - DIGNITY FOR ALL:

This is the theme running through the political, social and religious veins for this year's International Day of Peace. Different stakeholders are needed for comprehensive and inclusive peace with due regard for the identity and dignity of all the constituting components (parties). The theme has very vividly spelled out the importance of Partnerships and Dignity. You become a partner with someone whom you respect as equal or sharing some type of common conviction.

Peace is not a Master-Slave accord but a covenant between equals (may be sharing slightly different ideologies) with a rather similar common goal in life. The respect for the dignity of the other and self are paramount fundamentals for peace. Dignity of the other is a foundation ground on which he/she seeks peace for various growths in life - be it social, economic, interpersonal or religious.

DIFFERENT RELIGIONS' CONCEPT OF PEACE:

The Arabic word salam, a cognate of the Hebrew shalom, means "making peace." For Muslims, one comes to a purest state of peace by submitting to the will of Allah, and anyone who has accomplished this is a muslim. Salam is even one of the ninety-nine names of Allah in the Islamic religion. Peace also can become an earthly state, in that good Muslims desire temporal peace, not war, realizing that only through an Islamic polity, serving Allah faithfully, can people prosper and live in harmony with one another. Thus, in Islam, ultimate peace, both spiritual and temporal, harmonizes within a submission to the divine will.

The Chinese word for peace, heping, is comprised of two characters meaning harmony and level (or flat), which suggests equalizing and balancing. (This type of peace may be inherent in the famous Taoist cosmic principles of yin and yang, which when symmetrical restore order and oneness to the universe.) The Japanese cognate hewa means much the same.

In classical Sanskrit shanti is the word closest in meaning to peace, usually denoting tranquillity, calm, bliss, eternal rest, and happiness, but usually in connection to destruction or death. The term is often synonymous with sandi (association, combination) and the opposite of vigraha (separation, isolation, hostility). Peace here is contrary to the "absence of isolation" (vigrahabhava) or the "absence of strife or war" (yuddhabhava).

From earliest Hindu thought it became the goal of the individual to escape from the necessity of being reborn, which was accomplished through deep meditation and the avoidance of bad karma, thus bringing ultimate peace. Another Indian concept, ahimsa, which is found first in the sacred Upanishads (c. eighth century B.C.E.), means non-violence to animals and humans, and is based on the assumption that harm to living creatures produces bad karma by endangering or killing the soul of another. All life is one, and any animal could contain the soul of a relative who has been reincarnated, and so harming it is wrong.

Krishna tells the warrior Arjuna that in honouring the conditions of caste/race he brings honour to himself, and since souls return to new bodies after the old ones die, death does not matter. But one must reject all greed and anger, and therefore one can, even in the midst of battle, have peace within. Peace is ultimately an inner state that will beget positive ramifications as well for society as a whole.

Buddhist ideas of peace derived from early Hindu notions that asserted self-denial was the key to contentment and ultimate peace with the universe of which we are all a part spiritually. Also centered in the idea of ahimsa, Buddhists have believed that true peace and happiness come from the eradication of all desire, including the desire for permanence that creates conflict and division. Through meditative practices, selfish desire can be gradually eliminated until absolute peace, in this case, nirvana, is reached when our state of being ends.

CHRISTIAN DUTY TO PROMOTE PEACE:

As Christians we should promote peace instead of conflict, remembering that by our own actions, complete peace will never be achieved because of the fallen state of man. Our faith remains in God and Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. While giving to charity, promoting tolerance and sharing are certainly appropriate for Christians, we should do so in the name of Jesus, understanding that He alone will be the bringer of world peace.

We are asked to forgive even enemies but we press on our rights for the present and future. Unity, co-existence and peace are needs of the time. We respect each and every soul while not giving up our own God-given dignity as children of God. Reconciliation is a Christian stand to dissolve any problem.

CONCLUSION:

We all belong to different religious sects. Now, it's time to read our scriptures. Let the Christians read the Bible, let the Hindu read the Bhagavad Gita and let the Muslims read the Koran and practise peace. Only then effects of peace will be seen and we all shall be peaceful people. Domination and sectarianism will never ever solicit peaceful society. From mere lip service to praxis life, we shall strive for peace. Do you want peace?

Concluded ...