Indonesia 9 February: Ubud, Bali
A beautiful bronze statue of world peace leader Sri Chinmoy—who dedicated his life to fostering personal and global peace—has been placed permanently in Bali at the Agung Rai Museum (ARMA) in Ubud, along with many of his original paintings.
The Peace Torch from the World Harmony Run which was founded by Sri Chinmoy in 1987 is held aloft in front of Sri Chinmoy’s statue by the Chief Priest of Bali, Ida Pedanda Gede Ketut Sebali Tianyar Arimbawa. The Chief Priest led the official dedication ceremony and was himself honoured by Sri Chinmoy in 2004 for his devotion to fostering interfaith harmony.
Bali’s spiritual, political and cultural leaders gathered together at ARMA at the invitation of founder Mr. Agung Rai, to dedicate the 2.2 metre tall statue of Sri Chinmoy.
During the first ceremony, Prince of Ubud, Cokorda Perthiyasa, stated:
“The mission of Sri Chinmoy is very close to our hearts. We are all here as the messengers of Sri Chinmoy for our next generation. I hope we will all take part in his mission of world peace every day and at every moment—the mission which he offered through his work, his words and his prayers. I can feel Sri Chinmoy is here now. I believe he is in every heart of each of us who is here now. Let us end with a prayer for his mission of world peace.”
The statue of “Dreamer of World-Peace” Sri Chinmoy was sculpted by British artist Mr. Kaivalya Torpy and cast in the Czech Republic.
Sri Chinmoy led the twice-weekly Peace Meditation at the United Nations for 37 years at the invitation of UN Secretary-General U Thant, and his statue was dedicated during a sacred ceremony led by the spiritual leader of Balinese Hindus, Ida Pedanda Gede Ketut Sebali Tianyar Arimbawa. More than 500 international visitors from the Sri Chinmoy Centres representing 50 different nations and many walks of life were also present. They spent the past three weeks in Bali, deeply enriched by its beauty and spirituality. They are specially grateful to ARMA Founder Mr. Agung Rai and General Manager of ARMA Mr. Seng Seng.
Mr. Agung Rai, founder of ARMA (right) and Mr. Seng Seng, ARMA General Manager, stand on either side of Sri Chinmoy’s statue, immediately following the deeply moving dedication ceremony.
Sri Chinmoy founded a wide range of cultural and humanitarian programmes globally, including the 80-nation World Harmony Run in 1987 and the Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossoms family—both of which have had Bali and Indonesia’s enthusiastic participation.
On five occasions since 1987, Sri Chinmoy visited Indonesia to share his peace activities and cultural exchanges. He received many national and university awards, including the Presidential Medallion of Indonesia, plus the Heart of Indonesia Award and the Heart of Bali Award.
Over the past three weeks, the Songs of the Soul Concerts, World Harmony Runs and two exhibits of his Paintings for World Harmony commemorated Sri Chinmoy’s memory and shared his vision of a oneness-world with the Balinese people.
Sri Chinmoy wrote: “We are all members of a oneness-world-family. When we feel that we are brothers and sisters with the same hopes and dreams, then we shall not quarrel and fight. We shall work together to create a peaceful happiness-home.”
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