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World Religious Peace Meeting Ends
The four-day Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders concluded Thursday with a call for followers of religious traditions and the human community to cooperate in building a peaceful society.
Sheng Hui, Buddhist master and vice-chairman of the China Buddhism Association, joined the ceremony in a chant and blessing for the world.
"May I wish equality to all nations and ethnic groups, national unification, unity among all ethnic groups, no disputes between religions, happiness to all people, stability to societies, and peace to the world," he said.
Religious leaders pointed out in a document that the world is still being plagued by violence, war and destruction, which are sometimes perpetrated in the name of religion.
They called for Religious across the world to lead humanity by word and deed in a renewed commitment to ethical and spiritual values, which include a deep sense of respect for all life and for each person's inherent dignity and right to live in a world free of violence.
Conflicts generated by religious and ethnic differences should be managed and resolved nonviolently, and violence committed in the name of religion should be condemned, the leaders said in the "Commitment to Global Peace" document.
The religious leaders declared their commitment to promote the equitable distribution of wealth within nations and among nations, eradicating poverty and reversing the current trend toward a widening gap between the rich and poor.
They also agreed to the United Nations' call for the universal abolition of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction for the safety and security of life on this planet, the document said.
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