Leh: The World Peace Conference 2025 began today with the dedication of the Six Guardians of Peace: Roku Jizō statues at the Buddha Park, Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Leh. The consecration was led by Rev. Koya Matsuoka and Ms. Sachiko of Susono Komyoji Temple, Japan, in the presence of Hon’ble Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Leh, Adv. Tashi Gyalson, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena, and other distinguished international delegations attending the conference. The event was facilitated by Jin Young Lim and Stanzin Gurmet from the Spawo Foundation, marking a symbolic offering of peace from Japan to the Himalayas of Ladakh.
Following the dedication, the delegates proceeded to the MIMC Cultural Hall where the dignitaries lit the Holy Lamp to formally inaugurate the World Peace Conference 2025.
The three-day conference is jointly organised by MIMC in collaboration with the Ladakh Shanti Stupa Committee, Thiksey Monastery, LAHDC Leh, UT Administration of Ladakh, Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP), International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP), Global Peace Foundation (GPF) and other interfaith and civil society organisations.
Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Founder-President of MIMC, in his welcome address, reflected on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, reminding humanity of Hiroshima and Nagasaki while urging the world to transform painful memories into a force for compassion and global solidarity.
Hon’ble Chairman/CEC, Adv. Tashi Gyalson attended as the chief guest. In his keynote address, the Hon’ble CEC extended congratulations on the conferment of the World Peace Award and to all the dignitaries and peace advocates present at the conference. He stated that peace requires not just words but meaningful and constructive actions, stressing that the real challenge today is not against one another but against climate change and environmental degradation. He urged that there should be constructive action and that the values of harmony, compassion and responsibility shared during the conference must be practised in daily life. He expressed hope that with collective efforts, peace will prevail on earth.
Dr. P.R. Trivedi, President, IAEWP, highlighted education as the foundation for creating compassionate world citizens. He also launched two significant publications during the inaugural event—“From Bombings to Brotherhood: From Memories to Mission” marking the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki tragedies, and “Ladakh: Past, Present and Future.” Both books were formally presented to the CEC, symbolising Ladakh’s role in shaping global peace dialogues while also reflecting on its own heritage and vision for the future.
Dr. Markanday Rai, Chairman, Global Peace Foundation India, emphasised collective responsibility in resolving modern conflicts and safeguarding the environment.
Shri C. Phuntsog, Chairman, Ladakh Shanti Stupa Management Committee, spoke of Ladakh’s cultural heritage as a living model of coexistence.
Ven. Ming Kuang, President, Chinese Buddhist Association, Taiwan, underlined compassion as the spiritual root of unity.
Rev. Koya Matsuoka, Abbot of Komyoji Temple, Japan, offered prayers of remembrance for Hiroshima and Nagasaki and called for humanity’s commitment to non-violence.
Shri Abhijeet Haldar, Director General, International Buddhist Confederation, stressed dialogue as the key to bridging divides.
A highlight of the inaugural session was the presentation of the World Peace Awards 2025. The honours were conferred upon distinguished personalities from across the globe in recognition of their tireless contributions towards peace, human welfare, and interfaith harmony. The awards were presented to the Hon’ble CEC, Adv. Tashi Gyalson and other dignitaries. The moment stood as a symbolic recognition not only of individual excellence but also of the shared global mission for peace that the Ladakh gathering represents.
The inaugural programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks, extending deep gratitude to all distinguished personalities who graced the event with their presence. The organisers expressed appreciation to the international delegations, peace leaders, and civil society representatives for their solidarity in making Ladakh a beacon of global peace.
The conference will continue over the next two days with interfaith prayers, panel discussions, commemorative rituals, workshops, and cultural events, culminating in the adoption of the Ladakh Peace Declaration 2025.
The event was attended by Dr. P.R. Trivedi, President of the International Association of Educators for World Peace; Dr. Markanday Rai, Chairman of the Global Peace Foundation India; Shri C. Phuntsog, Chairman of the Ladakh Shanti Stupa Management Committee; Ven. Ming Kuang, President of the Chinese Buddhist Association, Taiwan; Rev. Koya Matsuoka, Abbot of Komyoji Temple (Soto Zen), Susono, Japan; Shri Abhijeet Haldar, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi; Maj. Gen. Dr. Yash Mor, CEO of Save The Himalayan Foundation; former Ambassador Deepak Vohra; Miss Sulekha Narayan, former Minister of Maharashtra; Prof. Rajesh Ranjan, Vice Chancellor of CIBS; Prof. Dr. Susanne von der Heide, Director and Vice President of the HimalAsia Foundation; Sheikh Nazir Ahmad Sharifi, Vice President of Anjuman Imamia Leh;Head of Religious Organisation(Women Wing); Ambassadors and Envoys from Japan, Germany, the United States, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and other nations; spiritual leaders and abbots representing major Buddhist associations from across Asia including Japan, Taiwan, and Sri Lanka; representatives of international peace foundations and global interfaith organisations.
