Happy International Day of Peace- Peace Begins with Me

My Peace and Justice social studies classes have just finished Unit 1 on Human Rights. It was supposed to be a review, but for many, most of the concepts were abstract and the language difficult. It took 2 weeks longer than I anticipated going through that material. 

Unit 2 is an introduction to Peace Studies and we try and define peace, how Otherness contributes to conflict and watch and read interviews of peacekeepers and peace builders. Since the 9th graders will be on a field trip Tuesday to Friday, it doesn't make sense introducing this unit until next week. 

Monday the 21st happens to be International Peace Day so for my Monday classes we will talk about peace and the individual, how cultivating inner peace can contribute to global peace and share any religious or spiritual beliefs that help us and have an interfaith meditation. I originally intended to have a poster competition with the expectation of having completed Unit 2 on peace before, but I'm flexible.

     (This isn't my favorite musical cover of Let Peace Begin with Me, but it has lots of cool quotes.)

Most of my students are Taoist, then Buddhist or a mix of Taoist/Buddhist and a few are Christian. Since I am Christian I will share some scriptures of what I know.  I'd love if any of my Buddhist students could do the same. In Taiwan many Buddhists read their scriptures in the temple. As for Taoism, my limited understanding is that inner peace manifests from the harmonious balance of yin and yang which are found in everything, the food we eat, weather, emotions, the placement of furniture, the season, the organs in our body, etc.

 In Christianity peace is personified in the person of Jesus. He is called "The Prince of Peace." The believer has access to inner peace thru their faith of Christ living within them.

What Christianity and Buddhism do share is that the present moment is where the peace of God is, not worrying about the past or future. The biggest difference is Buddhists believe peace comes from mastering oneself and Christians believe Christ in them is their master.

The first selection is often read at Christmas or sung in carols.

1. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name is called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace.  (Isaiah 以赛亚书9:6) 因為有一個嬰孩為我們而生，有一個兒子賜給我們； 政權必擔在他的肩頭上；他的名必稱為“奇妙的策士、全能的　神、永恆的父、和平的君”。

2. Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Philippians 腓立比书4: 6-7)

⁶ 應當毫無憂慮，只要凡事藉著禱告祈求，帶著感恩的心，把你們所要的告訴　神。 ⁷ 這樣，　神所賜超過人能了解的平安，必在基督耶穌裡，保守你們的心思意念。

3.May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you! (2 Thessalonians 帖撒罗尼迦后书 3: 16) 願賜平安的主親自隨時隨地賜平安給你們。願主與你們眾人同在。

4.Those who love Your law have great peace; Nothing makes them stumble. (Psalms 诗篇119:165) 喜愛你律法的必有豐盛的平安，甚麼都不能絆倒他們。

5. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 腓立比书 4:7) 這樣，　神所賜超過人能了解的平安，必在基督耶穌裡，保守你們的心思意念。

  
6. God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you’ll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you. So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault. (Romans 罗马书14: 17-19) ¹⁷ 因為　神的國不在於吃喝，而在於公義、和睦，以及聖靈裡的喜樂。 ¹⁸ 這樣服事基督的人，必蒙　神喜悅，又得眾人嘉許。 ¹⁹ 所以，我們總要追求和睦的事，與彼此造就的事。

 7. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught. (John 约翰福音14:27)  我留下平安給你們，我把自己的平安賜給你們；我給你們的，不像世界所給的。你們心裡不要難過，也不要恐懼。

Listen to Tina Turner chant a peace mantra in Sanskrit. This mantra in Sanskrit means, "“May well-being, peace, wholeness and tranquility, happiness and prosperity be achieved by all”.

Mantra:
Om Om Om,
Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu,
Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu,
Sarvesham Poornam Bhavatu,
Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu,
Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.