Disarmament for peace

Many years ago, the 14th Dalai Lama, spoke about disarmament as a way to accomplish world peace.

This was shocking, perhaps, to those who view military might as necessary. Also, it is said, the military offers jobs to thousands. Now, though, the Reincarnate Lama’s words could have wider appeal.

He said, “Through history, mankind has pursued peace one way or another. Is it too optimistic to imagine that world peace may finally be within our grasp?

I do not believe that there has been an increase in the amount of people's hatred, only in their ability to manifest it in vastly destructive weapons. On the other hand, bearing witness to the tragic evidence of the mass slaughter caused by such weapons in our country (Tibet) has given us the opportunity to control war. To do so, it is clear we must disarm.”

The Nobel Peace prize winner suggested a disarmament plan that necessitates a global consciousness ready to accept that humanity is interdependent.
 
The Bodhisattwa of Compassion stated, “Disarmament can occur only within the context of new political and economic relationships…. “First we should work on eliminating nuclear weapons, next, biological and chemical ones, then offensive arms, and finally, defensive ones.

At the same time, to safeguard the peace, we should start developing in one or more global regions an international police force made up of equal number of members from each nation under a collective command.

Eventually, this force would cover the whole world.” Impossible? In spite of continuing warfare, there has never been a time in the world when we have been in such close communication with each other. Dalai Lama’s plan could work.

 He explains, “Because the dual process of disarmament and development of a joint force would be both multilateral and democratic, the right of majority to criticise or even intervene in the event of one nation violating the basic rules would be ensured.

Moreover, with all large armies eliminated and all conflict such as border disputes subject to the control of the joint international force, large and small nations would be truly equal. Such reforms would result in a stable international environment.”

The benefits of doing away with the war mongers and war mentality would uplift humanity. For example, according to the Tibetan Master, “Of course, the immense financial dividend reaped from the cessation of arms production would also provide a fantastic windfall for global development.

Today, nations spend trillions of dollars annually on military. Can you imagine how many hospital beds, schools and homes this money could fund? Our scientists are extremely bright. Why should their brilliance be wasted on such dreadful endeavors when it could be used for positive global development?”

Though we appear to be a long way from such a goal, quantum shifts do happen. One day the world was flat, the next day it was round. One day we walked, the next day we flew. Change sometimes arrives in a flash.