Introduction:

When we rise in the morning and listen to the radio or read the newspaper, we are confronted with the same sad news: violence, crime, wars, and disasters. I cannot recall a single day without a report of something terrible happening somewhere. Even in these modern times it is clear that one's precious life is not safe. All the problems are increasing because of intolerance. Intolerance is increasing in the world. These conflicts arise from a failure to understand one another's humanness.

The Real Meaning of Peace:

“Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all these things and still be calm in your heart. This is the real meaning of peace.”

“A smile is the beginning of peace.” (Mother Teresa)

“Peace is more than the absence of war. Peace is accord. Harmony.” 

(Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke & Bone)

Harmony is when people are all getting along

together. Harmony is when people are nice to one

another. Harmony is the flow of life.

Peace with Others:

“Peace in your mind, peace at home, peace at work, peace on earth, peace in the world."

(John Lennon)

We all are dependent upon one another.

Family members:

Home is where we find bliss and rest. All things would go well in a house if the family members are in harmony, and such a family would be filled with love and vitality.  we must first love the members of our family.  How can we love others if we do not love our own family members?

Fellow brothers and sisters:

All believers are God's children born by the Holy Spirit. God would be pleased if His children can live in harmony. On the other hand, discord among His children will bring grief to God. If brothers and sisters can live in harmony and love, God will regard this as good and beautiful, and will bestow upon us the greatest blessings. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” (Ps 133:1-3)

Peace with all men:

Living in this world, we must treat others with gentleness and kindness. In order to live in harmony with others, we must be gentle. Since we cannot live a life of isolation, we should learn to coexist together.

We are all God's offspring (Acts 17:29), which means, in a broad sense, that we are akin with all the people in the world. Although those who have not been reborn are not yet the children of God, once they turn to God, they too, will become our brothers and sisters. Not only is this our wish, it is also the will of God, because the Lord does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9).

Therefore, we should all the more be kind to others and be an example to them of what being God’s children mean. It is to have His love and His compassion, His patience and His way of resolving issues; that is, to have His virtues. When we have peace with God and understand His will for us, we also understand His heart for the lost souls in this world. If we don’t have God’s peace with men, it is difficult to approach them as we are resentful or apathetic

If we have the attitude of “an eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth,” there will be no peace.” The Bible tells us that we must “[m]ake every effort to live in peace with all men” (Heb 12:14). And only if we repay evil with good can peace be built up, for “[w]hen a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him” (Prov 16:17).  This is part and parcel of what it means to live a life of Christ—one that’s filled with His peace and His harmony, and such a life is a good testimony of the wonderful gospel we ought to live out every day.

This kind of believers will be called sons of God (Mt 5:9). And to have peace with others, we ought to keep the following principles:

·   Remove self-righteousness and obstinacy·   Remove self-interest and seek the interest of others·   Be understanding, be forgiving, and be yielding

If we can practice these principles of peace, not only can we achieve harmony and peace with everyone, we will all the more be pleasing to God and be blessed by Him abundantly.

Peace through religions:

 

"There will be peace on earth when there is peace among the world religions."

(Hans Kung)

Teachings of all world religions major religion of the world - Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam,

Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism etc - has similar ideals of love, the same goal of benefiting humanity through spiritual practice.

All religions teach common goal not to lie or steal or take others' lives, negative deeds caused by ignorance and to

introduce them to paths of goodness. And so on. Lead us to the spiritual state that is peaceful, disciplined, ethical, and

wise.

Christianity and peace building:

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also”. (Matt. 5:38-39)

Islam and peace building:

Islam Spreads the Message of Peace, Justice and Equality. Islam is a religion of peace, that promotes equality among its followers and encourages them to establish the system of justice where all get access to justice

"The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace"(25:63)

Hinduism and peace building:

"May there be peace in the heavens, peace in the atmosphere, and peace on the earth. Let there be coolness in the water, healing in the herbs and peace radiating from the trees. Let there be harmony in the planets and in the stars, and perfection in eternal knowledge. May everything in the universe be at peace? Let peace pervade everywhere, at all times. May I experience that peace within my own heart?"(Yajur Veda 36.17)

Pillars of Peace:

Pillars of Peace are a new conceptual framework for understanding and describing the factors associated with peaceful society.

It is the first empirical framework aimed at measuring positive peace, which can be understood as the structures, attitudes and institutions that move society towards resolving conflict in a non-violent way.

These Pillars are both interdependent and mutually reinforcing, meaning that the relative strength of any one Pillar has the potential to either positively or negatively influence peace. The Pillars are:

Well-functioning government

Tolerance

Justice

Acceptance of the rights of others

Good relations with others

Equality

High levels of education

Low levels of corruption

The Pillars of Peace is a viable first step to enable better monitoring and evaluation of progress.

Recommendation:

The achievement of justice, harmony, and peace depends on many factors like relationship between family members, community and people of other faiths. According to me this can be achieved by following things:

Tolerance

To bring about peace and harmony in this world people have peace conferences, discussions, meetings, and all sorts of activities,

Respect, care, love acceptance appreciation forgiveness and concern for others

Equality of all human beings

Trying to bring justice into this world

Truth and kindness

Peace for humanity