What is peace?

Peace is a state of harmony characterised by the lack of violence and conflicting behaviours. This is the answer I got from Google for my question. But is this the only definition for the peace? No, No. I asked the same question from my little sister. Then, she gave me an answer like this. She said that peace is having fun together with her friends without any yelling or hitting. Both of these answers are correct. But, I think my sister’s answer means a lot more than Google’s. Because we all know that her answer is very honest.

However, after I found out the meaning of peace, another question came to my mind. That question is this. Is peace limited only to the meaning or is it something that we can enjoy in reality? Unfortunately, peace is only a word for most of my friends. When look at my friends, I see that they lose their peace in three ways.

• Some can’t enjoy their peace because of the educational competition. In my country, most of my friends don’t have enough free time because of the Sri Lankan educational system.
• Others, lose their peace mentally and physically because of the stress. Many of my friends have academic stress, pressure from parents and teachers and financial difficulties. So, some try to destroy their beautiful life at a young age. I have a good experience with this situation. One day, I received a WhatsApp message from my friend. After I read it I could understand that she had given up all hopes in her life. So, at that time, I tried my best to explain the value of life to her and I will be with her for anything. I’m really happy to say that I am now her best friend.
• So, moving on to the third way, some other friends in the world, who lose their peace due to the power-hungry of adults. The best example I have for that is the war. Even though I’m wearing my school uniform and talking here now, how many helpless little friends who can’t go to school, but like to go and who can’t find their parents, are breathing now in fear of death? There was a 30 years war in Sri Lanka. My grandpa happened to sacrifice his life for the war. My mom said that the scene her father dead because of a bomb blasting in front of her eyes was the most painful incident she had ever experienced in her life. So, I would like to ask two questions from all the adults in the world. First question, Does it make sense to have a definition or a symbol for the peace world like this? My second question is this. What was the mistake that my little friends made, so ignorantly that they died because of a war?

But I have a peaceful solution for this. Why we can’t eliminate all the weapons in the world? And discuss. I think from that, we can solve all the problems among us. I don’t want to see my little friends experience the incident that my mom has faced.

Nahi werena weraani

Sammandeetha kudhachanam

Awerenacha sampaththi

Esa dhammo sanaththano (Stanza)

Hate will not quenched by hate. Love claims hatred. (Meaning)

Just as Mr.Jayawardhana raised his voice for the peace in Japan, I raise my voice for the peace of my little friends. Also, peace is not only right of Japan or Sri Lanka or America or humans. The whole world requires peace and the whole animal community likes peace.  So, dearest adults, eliminate all the weapons for a while, gather, discuss together and help us to turn world war into world peace.

Thank you!

D.M. Kaveeshi Yasodhara Divananda

Sri Lanka