Parliament of Worlds Religion 2004 Barcelona

Author(s): Parliament of the World’s Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

Page 51

Plenary Sessions
Opening Day Celebrations Wednesday, July 7th
Join ceremonies and celebrations marking the Opening Day of the 2004 Parliament of the World's Religions! Gather together with people from around the world in a spirit of harmony and peace to mark the opening of the 2004 Parliament of the World's Religions.
2:15 PM
Dedication of the Parliament Peace Pole
The Peace Pole is given to the city of Barcelona by the World Peace Prayer Society, a non-profit, non-sectarian organization dedicated to spreading the message and prayer "May Peace Prevail on Earth" all over the world.
Lighting of the World Peace Flame
The World Peace Flame (Life Foundation International), a universal symbol of hope, was created in 1999 when, for the first time in history, seven Flames of Peace were lit by peacemakers on five continents, flown across the world and united into one.
Location: Parliament by the Sea
Procession to The Tree of Peace
50 Parliament of the World's Religions 2004
3:15 PM
Ceremonial Planting of The Tree of Peace by Chief Jake Swamp of the Mohawk Nation
Long ago a prophet named Skannenrehowi came to the troubled Iroquois people in the northeastern part of North America to show them how to end warfare among themselves by following a set of rules called the Great Law of Peace. He brought his message from the Creator who instructed him to create the world's first united nations characterized by the highest degree of freedom ever enjoyed by humanity. This new way of living took the form of the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations Iroquois) Confederacy which exists to the present day. To mark the birth of this new peace, Skannenrehowi raised a great tree of peace that joined heaven and earth with roots extending to all four directions. Anyone who wished to live in peace, free from warfare, could find shelter beneath Ohnehta:kowa the "Great Tree" by following the four roots to their source. All of the weapons of war were buried underneath the tree. Therefore, the tree became a living reminder to be at peace at all times. Chief Jake Swamp of the Mohawk Nation, Haudenosaunee Confederacy, will plant a Tree of Peace while reciting the words of hope spoken by Skannenrahow many generations ago.
Location: East of the CCIB (International Barcelona Convention Center)