On August 29, 2000, her syllables rang out a message that for the world to change, first we must change ourselves within. In her birth language, Amma addressed the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious & Spiritual Leaders held at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York City.
Amma remains the first and only speaker to have presented in Malayalam there—a space where humanity’s most urgent challenges and highest aspirations are debated. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is its main deliberative body where all 193 member states have one equal vote.
When the new millennium began, the UN hosted the gathering of 1,000 religious leaders to discuss working as inter-faith allies that collaborate with UN members to find solutions for peace, poverty, environmental conservation, and sustainable development—solutions based on the essential principles of all the world’s major religions.
With deep compassion, Amma raised crucial needs of the hour, while also sharing practical actions faith leaders and UN members could take to strengthen their efforts for peace by integrating universal values such as love, compassion, and unity.
With an inaugural address by then Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, diverse traditions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Indigenous religions, and many others, envisioned a pathway forward.
Returning from the Kochi airport to Amritapuri a few days later, Amma was enthusiastically received by people along the road, with some lighting firecrackers to announce her arrival. Households—irrespective of their religion or caste—honoured her in the traditional way by lighting oil lamps, burning incense, and waving camphor in front of their homes.
As Amma approached the Ashram, it took almost four hours to drive the last seven kilometres along the seaside. The joy of the neighbouring villages reflected the pride they felt in presenting the values of their ancient culture to all the world. The respect and honour that Amma received from such a venerable international body was the foundation of their happiness.
Amma’s Address
Salutations to everyone gathered here, who are verily the embodiments of love and the Supreme Self.
We have stepped into the new millennium with great hopes and expectations of change. Let the colors and fragrance of freshness spread into every heart.
A mere change in the year’s numbers cannot bring transformation. The real change must happen within ourselves. For only when conflict and negativity are removed from within can we play a truly constructive role in establishing peace.
With the goal of peace in mind, the invaluable efforts of the United Nations to bring countries and people together, thereby creating peace and harmony, merit much praise. Amma congratulates your wholehearted efforts.
The inherent beauty in diversity
The very words ‘nation’ and ‘religion’ tend to connote division and diversity. This diversity may seem to create obstacles in fostering peace, happiness, and prosperity.
Yet, in reality, it is this diversity that brings richness and beauty to the world and to human life. There is one Truth that shines through all of creation.
Rivers and mountains, plants and animals, the sun, the moon and the stars, you and I—all are expressions of this one Reality. By realising this truth, we can create a beautiful world.
Just as a bouquet made from a variety of flowers is more beautiful than a bouquet of flowers that are exactly the same.
Only when we work together as a global family, not merely belonging to a particular race, religion or nation, will peace and happiness once again prevail on this Earth that is soaked with the tears of division and conflicts.
Being a human being
There were two hostile countries that lay on opposite sides of a lake. The people of these countries enjoyed the lake for recreation.
One day there was a sudden storm and a few boats capsized. A man was swimming for his life when he saw another man drowning. He came to his aid and managed to save him.
Having reached the shore, they discovered that they belonged to the enemy countries and immediately hatred flared up in them.
The one who had saved the other shouted, “Had I known you were my enemy, I would have left you to drown!”
When this man didn’t know the other’s nationality, he was aware only of their common humanity. He felt an instinctive sense of brotherhood and compassion. But when he realised he was his enemy, enmity and malice took over.
We are all basically human beings. Only thereafter do we become members of a religion or a country. Under no circumstances should our ties to a religion, society, or country make us forget our basic human values.
No one is an isolated island. We are all links in the great chain of life. With or without our knowledge, each action we perform has an effect on others. So, we must always maintain utmost alertness.
Closer yet further
Just as the left hand soothes a wound on the right, we also must feel the pain of others and strive to lift them from it. However, even though the world has become closer through technology like email, mobile phones, and satellites, human hearts have not come together.
For example, members of a family, though physically close, often live as if they are isolated islands. The knowledge and power we human beings have acquired have also made us more isolated and selfish, thereby sowing the seeds of conflict.
Today, humanity holds the power to destroy this Earth in seconds. But we also have the capacity to create a blissful Heaven on Earth. The future of humanity depends on the choice we make.
When religion comes to life
We can impart this in every country through the eternal principles of religion. Religion is the science of the mind.
Today we are able to air-condition the external world, but we have yet to learn how to air-condition the mind. We are trying to clone human beings, but we do not attempt to create within ourselves a perfect, loving and peaceful human being.
Though the founders of all religions realised and practised the noblest ideals in their lives, their followers have often failed to live up to those ideals. That is how these religions, which were originally meant to foster peace and a sense of unity among us, became instrumental in spreading war and conflict.
Humankind should not exist for religion; religion should exist for humankind. Lending a helping hand to a neglected soul, giving a compassionate smile to the sad and dejected, feeding the hungry—this is when religion comes to life.
The world’s religious leaders should participate in sincere, openhearted discussions, rooted in the understanding of the essential goals of spirituality. Through this we will reduce our misunderstandings and gain insight into major areas of conflict.
Simply transferring the world’s nuclear weapons to a museum will not in itself bring about world peace. The nuclear weapons of the mind must first be eliminated.
An angel faces a challenge
The leaders of three religions once decided to convene a meeting to bring about peace. They belonged to religions A, B and C.
God was so pleased with their efforts that He sent an angel to them during the meeting to understand their needs. The angel asked the leaders what they wished.
The leader of religion A said, “Religion B is responsible for all the problems. So please wipe them off the face of the Earth!”
The angel was disappointed.
The leader of religion B said, “Religion A is the cause of all our troubles. You have to reduce them to ashes!”
By now the angel was sad.
The angel turned expectantly to the leader of religion C. With an expression of grave humility, C’s leader said, “I wish nothing for myself. It will be enough if you merely grant the prayers of my two colleagues!”
This story is a parody of contemporary efforts towards peace. Instead of trying to increase the number of followers, religions should create an environment in which one may wisely accept the noble ideals of any religion.
Inner pollution is more lethal
Tomorrow’s world will be shaped by today’s children. In their tender minds, it is easy to cultivate universal human values. If you walk through a field of soft, green grass a few times, you will quickly make a path.
The teaching of universal spiritual principles and human values should be a standard part of our general education systems. This should not be delayed any further, for if there is delay, the future generations will be lost to the world.
Today we are aware of the need to protect our environment. Yet we are seldom concerned with how negative thoughts pollute the mind. The inner pollution of the mind is in many ways more lethal than chemical pollution, for it has the power to destroy humanity at any time.
Love and nation building
Harmony among nations will become possible only through the upliftment of individuals. It is not possible to embrace a sacred culture unless the basic necessities of each member are fulfilled.
If, in any part of the world, thousands of people are dying of hunger or suffering in poverty, it is a matter of shame for all nations. Another important issue is to reduce the divide between the rich and poor. So we must strive to overcome our selfishness in order to support sustainable development.
Love is the very foundation, beauty and fulfilment of life. We must cultivate this attitude not only in our personal lives, but also in governance and nation building.
Each nation should foster an atmosphere of forgiveness, openness, friendship, trust, help, and support to heal old wounds from conflicts. In order to heal the wounds, broken relationships should be stitched with the thread of love. Love brings the sense of unity.
Areas of action for the UN
Even though the following global challenges are being discussed and implemented, Amma is emphasising them.
Woman is the one who gives birth to humankind. In God’s creation, men and women are equal. Yet in many countries, the condition of women is dire. They must be assured an equal role in society, just like men.
Millions of people are suffering from AIDS as it continues to spread like wildfire. It is an illness that is more dangerous than war. This disease must be brought under control.
We should try to build an international group of young volunteers who are ready to serve and love the world selflessly, inspiring them to spread human values.
Terrorism and violence against human beings in the name of any religion should be condemned at the international level and appropriate strong action should be taken.
If we strive to live by these principles, we can gain mastery over the mind and make our lives an offering to the world.
Amma’s prayer
At this juncture, Amma remembers a prayer. May the light of love and peace shine within our hearts. Let us all become messengers of universal peace, illuminating the hearts of everyone.
Thus, let the glory of peace spread everywhere, dispelling the darkness of hatred and conflict that has overshadowed today’s world. Let us radiate peace. Let us all awaken to a new tomorrow, filled with universal love and kinship.
This is the very goal and dream of the United Nations.
May the Paramatman—the Supreme Power—bless us to realise this noble prayer.
॥ ॐ लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु ॥
Om Lokah Samasthah Sukhino Bhavantu
May all beings everywhere be happy and free.
