The first Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile was inaugurated at Battersea Park, London on 15 March 1986. The idea of the Peace Mile was to offer runners and walkers the opportunity to have a dedicated mile which also served as an opportunity to remember and appreciate the ideals of peace. The Peace Mile programme was also initiated to celebrate the United Nations International Year of Peace (1986). Speaking at the inauguration in Battersea Park, Sri Chinmoy said:
“To me, this Peace Mile in my name is at once a blessingful gift from God and a soulful honour from man. God has countless children on earth, but his fondest Child, Peace, is not yet born. From time immemorial, humanity has been dreaming of Peace, God’s Peace Child. At God’s Choice Hour, this fondest child of God, Peace, will take birth and for that all we human beings have to prepare ourselves. We have to create a oneness-home from where peace can reign supreme.”
“Now we are dreaming of peace and so we must love peace as our very own. When we can claim peace to be our own, when it becomes an inseparable existence-reality in our lives the Kingdom of Heaven will descend. Let us pray for a oneness-family and inside this oneness-family, the beauty, divinity and immortality of peace will abide.”
- Sri Chinmoy, London, Peace Mile, 15 March 1986.
Peace Mile Video
Footage of Sri Chinmoy speaking at the inauguration of the Peace Mile.
In a spirit of oneness, many Peace Miles were established around the world to serve as a reminder of the common bond all peoples share in their love of sports and desire for global harmony. Shortly after the first Peace Mile in London, a second Peace Mile was established in West Berlin, directly in the shadow of the Berlin Wall—a poignant reminder of the need to work for international understanding.
The Peace Mile was inaugurated by Sri Chinmoy and the Mayor of Wandsworth Council, London. The Peace Mile also runs past the Buddhist Peace Pagoda. A temple which has four faces of the Buddha.
The event included one mile races along the course of the Peace Mile, which is located by the edge of the River Thames.
During the event, children singers offered songs on the theme of peace to the audience.
Sri Chinmoy interviewed by the local British media. The Peace Pagoda is in the background.
Invited guests to the event included Members of Parliament, British running champions, and dignitaries representing the Greater London Council, and the United Nations Association. The programme included several races, ending with a peace walk around the course, led by Sri Chinmoy.
On returning to New York, Sri Chinmoy remarked on how successful the event was and how much happiness he felt. Writing later in "Run and Become, Part 18" Sri Chinmoy wrote
Thirty metres away from the starting line there were four golden statues of Lord Buddha in a peace pagoda. Right near the start was the River Thames, which runs along about 800 metres of the course. It was all very beautiful!
I always speak about enthusiasm. This time the British have shown enthusiasm from beginning to end. How cheerfully they worked together! In terms of happiness, enthusiasm, warmth and oneness, this race far surpassed all the races we have ever held, including those in New York. I always say, “Become, and then go beyond.” So they have become one with all the good qualities that New York offers in its races, and they have gone far beyond.
The big shots who came were so nice! How kindly and respectfully they talked to me. I was so deeply moved.
- Sri Chinmoy, Run and Become, Part 18
- Photos by Dhanu
- Video footage: Mridanga/Pavitrata