Vigils at the Memorial stone for Unknown Civilians Killed in War
ABBEY SPONSORS UNITY DINNER
October 2, 2001

Over two hundred people gathered at the foot of the bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi on the grounds of The Peace Abbey at sunset on October 2, 2001. It was the 132 birth anniversary of the Pacifist Leader, and Father of the Independence of India. Among the group could be found members of the Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Christian, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist spiritualtraditions, faiths that Gandhi drew strength from and honored as indispensable pathways to God. 

Following the Muslim call to prayer, the group recited in unison the twelve prayers of peace which are prayed daily at the Abbey and disseminated worldwide. Members of the Hindu and Jain communities co-sponsored the event in an effort to draw attention to the profound message of non-violence that characterized Gandhi's life and teachings. The thought on everyone's mind as they prayed and discussed the current crisis in the world was what would Gandhi have to say, what would he do, and what might he ask others to do.

His approach many felt might mirror what Christians would expect Jesus to advise, "love your enemy and do good to those who hate you". "An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind" was the quote from Gandhi on the program. And justice not war was the sentiment of the evening. 

Hindus and Jains who proudly claim Gandhi as their own, felt that retaliation would be the furthest thing from the mind of a man who understood the horrors of war and the power of pacifism, forgiveness and non-violence. "I object to violence because the good it appears to do is temporary, and the evil it does is permanent" Gandhi wrote. The Muslims in attendance were clear that the Koran teaches peace, encourages peace, though like the Bible of the Jewish and Christian faiths, can be used to justify violence and hatred.

Following a program of prayers for peace, the group assembled in The Life Experience School to enjoy a traditional Indian meal and watch a documentary on Gandhi. The buffet of over a dozen different dishes was prepared by families from both the Jain Center in Norwood, the Hindu Temple in Ashland as well as dishes donated from Udupi Bhavan Restaurant in Ashland.