Etymology
From the Latin pax, meaning "freedom from civil disorder," the English word came into use in various personal greetings from c.1300 as a translation of the Hebrew shalom. Shalom, cognate with the Arabic "salaam", has multiple meanings: safety, welfare, prosperity, security, fortune, friendliness. The personalized meaning is reflected in a nonviolent lifestyle, which also describes a relationship between any people characterized by respect, justice and goodwill.This later understanding of peace can also pertain to an individual's sense of himself or herself, as to be "at peace" with one's own mind attested in Europe from c.1200. The early English term is also used in the sense of "quiet", reflecting a calm, serene, and meditative approach to the family or group relationships that avoids quarreling and seeks tranquility — an absence of disturbance or agitation.
In many languages the word for peace is also used a greeting or a farewell, for example the Hawaiian word Aloha, as well as the Arabic word Salam . In English the word peace is used as a farewell, especially for the dead as in Rest In Peace, RIP
Religious beliefs and peace
"Peace of God" redirects here. For the medieval
movement, see Peace and Truce of God.
Gari Melchers, Mural of Peace, 1896.
Christians claim Jesus of Nazareth to be the "Prince of Peace", the Messiah Christ who established a Kingdom of Peace where persons, societies, and all of creation are to be healed of evil. For persons to enter this Kingdom and experience peace, Christians believe that one must develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who stated: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Buddhists believe that peace can be attained once all suffering ends. To eliminate suffering and achieve this peace, they follow a set of teachings called the Four Noble Truths — a central tenet in Buddhist philosophy.
Islam means the way of life to attain peace. The word "Muslim" means the person who submits to Allah in Peace. The submission to Allah (the Arabic proper noun for "The God", One and Only) is based on humility. An attitude of humility within one's own self cannot be accomplished without total rejection of violence and attitude of alliance towards peace.
See also: Catholic peace traditions and Peace in Islamic philosophy
[edit] Inner peace
Main article: Inner
peace
Inner peace (or peace of mind) refers to a state of being mentally
and spiritually at peace, with enough knowledge
and understanding to keep oneself strong in the face of discord or
stress. Being "at peace" is considered by many to be healthy homeostasis
and the opposite of being stressed or anxious. Peace of mind is
generally associated with bliss and happiness.Peace of mind, serenity, and calmness are descriptions of a disposition free from the effects of stress. In some cultures, inner peace is considered a state of consciousness or enlightenment that may be cultivated by various forms of training, such as prayer, meditation, t'ai chi ch'uan (太极拳, tàijíquán) or yoga, for example. Many spiritual practices refer to this peace as an experience of knowing oneself. Finding inner peace is often associated with traditions such as Buddhism and Hinduism as well as the New Age movement. Inner peace is also the first of four concepts to living life in the rave culture acronym PLUR.
[edit] Satyagraha
Main article: Satyagraha
Satyagraha (Sanskrit: सत्याग्रह satyāgraha) is a philosophy and
practice of nonviolent resistance developed by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (also
known as "Mahatma" Gandhi) said to have been inspired by Henry D.
Thoreau's 1848 essay "Civil Disobedience". Gandhi deployed satyagraha in
campaigns for Indian independence and also during his earlier
struggles in South Africa. Satyagraha theory also influenced
Martin Luther King, Jr. during the
campaigns he led during the civil rights movement in the United States. The
theory of satyagraha sees means and ends as inseparable. Therefore, it
is contradictory to try to use violence to obtain peace. As Gandhi
wrote: “They say, 'means are, after all, means'. I would say, 'means
are, after all, everything'. As the means so the end...”[1][edit] Justice and injustice
Since classical times, it has been noted that peace has sometimes been achieved by the victor over the vanquished by the imposition of ruthless measures. In his book Agricola the Roman historian Tacitus includes eloquent and vicious polemics against the rapacity and greed of Rome. One, that Tacitus says is by the Caledonian chieftain Calgacus, ends Auferre trucidare rapere falsis nominibus imperium, atque ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant. (To ravage, to slaughter, to usurp under false titles, they call empire; and where they make a desert, they call it peace. — Oxford Revised Translation).[edit] Movements and activism
[edit] Peace movement
Main article: Peace movement
A peace movement is a social movement that seeks to achieve ideals such as the
ending of a particular war (or all wars), minimize inter-human violence
in a particular place or type of situation, often linked to the goal of
achieving world peace. Means to achieve these ends usually
include advocacy of pacifism, non-violent
resistance, diplomacy, boycotts,
moral purchasing, supporting
anti-war political candidates, demonstrations, and lobbying
to create legislation.[edit] Pacifism
Main article: Pacifism
Pacifism is the opposition to war or violence
as a means of settling disputes or gaining advantage. Pacifism covers a
spectrum of views ranging from the belief that international disputes
can and should be peacefully resolved; to calls for the abolition of the
institutions of the military and war; to opposition to any organization
of society through governmental force (anarchist or libertarian pacifism); to rejection of the
use of physical violence to obtain political, economic or social goals;
to opposition to violence under any circumstance, including defense of
self and others.Pacifism may be based on moral principles (a deontological view) or pragmatism (a consequentialist view). Principled pacifism holds that at some point along the spectrum from war to interpersonal physical violence, such violence becomes morally wrong. Pragmatic pacifism holds that the costs of war and inter-personal violence are so substantial that better ways of resolving disputes must be found. Pacifists in general reject theories of Just War.
[edit] Organizations
[edit] United Nations
Main article: United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated
aims are to facilitate cooperation in international law, international
security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and
achieving world peace. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to
replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between countries, and to
provide a platform for dialogue.
UN
peacekeeping missions. Dark blue regions indicate current missions,
while light blue regions represent former missions.
[edit] Nobel Peace Prize
Main article: Nobel Peace Prize
The highest honor awarded to peace maker is the Nobel Prize in Peace, awarded
since 1901 by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. It is
awarded annually to internationally notable persons following the
prize's creation in the will of Alfred
Nobel. According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded
to the person who| “ | ...shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.[2] | ” |
[edit] Gandhi Peace Prize
Main article: Gandhi Peace Prize
The International Gandhi Peace Prize, named after Mahatma Gandhi, is awarded annually by
the Government of India. It is launched as a
tribute to the ideals espoused by Gandhi in 1995 on the occasion of the
125th anniversary of his birth. This is an annual award given to
individuals and institutions for their contributions towards social,
economic and political transformation through non-violence and other
Gandhian methods. The award carries Rs. 10 million in cash, convertible
in any currency in the world, a plaque and a citation. It is open to all
persons regardless of nationality, race, creed or sex.[edit] Paul Bartlett Ré Peace Prize
Main article: Paul Bartlett Ré Peace Prize
The Paul Bartlett Ré Peace Prize,
named after the artist Paul Ré,
is awarded bi-annually by the University of New Mexico (UNM).[edit] Student Peace Prize
Main article: Student Peace Prize
The Student Peace Prize is awarded
biennially to a student or a student organization that has made a
significant contribution to promoting peace and human rights.[edit] Other
See also: Peace museums
A peace museum is a museum that documents historical peace
initiatives. Many peace museums also provide advocacy programs for
nonviolent conflict resolution. This may include conflicts at the
personal, regional or international level.Smaller institutions:
- Randolph Bourne Institute
- The McGill Middle East Program of Civil Society and Peace Building
- International Festival of Peace Poetry















