Prem Rawat and UN Association of New Zealand Celebrate International Day of Peace at Parliament Buildings in New Zealand

Wellington, New Zealand, November 21, 2006 — The United Nations Association of New Zealand, the Hon. Marian Hobbs MP, and Prem Rawat, known widely by the honorary title Maharaji, gathered with a distinguished audience to celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21 at the Parliament Buildings in Wellington.

The event started with a Maori welcome, where Rau Hoskins, head of the Maori architecture program at UNITEC university, greeted Prem Rawat: “This is an important day for us and the Maori people—the first time that Maori have been able to formally welcome Prem Rawat to Aotearoa [New Zealand]—and it is fitting that this welcome is taking place here at the seat of government. It is fitting that in this country, where we take pride in promoting peace in the world, we have the opportunity to welcome Prem Rawat, himself a messenger of peace. Therefore, greet this leader, greet this teacher, listen carefully to his message that it may awaken and nourish your spirit—that peace may be found within, that peace may manifest without.”

Welcoming the attendees, the Hon. Marian Hobbs said: “We are celebrating this United Nations Day throughout New Zealand with people wanting to work towards peace, not only at the international level, but also at the personal and community level, and to celebrate those people who make peace. I’m particularly delighted to welcome Prem Rawat to our parliament and to our city.”

Welcoming Prem Rawat, Dame Laurie Salas, former vice president of the World Federation of UN Associations, said: “The International Day of Peace provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. Prem Rawat emphasizes that institutions alone cannot bring peace and that it is both the birthright of every individual and incumbent upon each individual to live a life of peace. More than ten million people in over fifty countries and 250 cities have come to seek his inspiration. Peace, says Prem Rawat, is possible. His message is valuable, original, and profound. We are thrilled to be welcoming him to New Zealand to share his inspiration here.”

Prem Rawat spoke about the relevance of peace for each individual: “People think the absence of war is peace. That’s a reflection of peace, not peace in itself. All the things we like about peace are just a reflection of peace, not peace itself. Peace begins with every single human being on the face of this earth. When the heart is full, when the human being is full, then automatically the person is not in duality, not in questions but in answers. This is our nature. When we are in that equilibrium where our hearts are full, then our true nature shines. And the true nature that we have is beautiful. It’s real. And that is the place of true peace.”