Fig. 1: Nitin Ajmera, chair of the Board of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, center left, is presented with the “Key to the Heart” by Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the leader of Tai Ji Men, after ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love. (AP Images)

 

Aug. 18, 2023

 

Nitin Ajmera, chair of the Board of the Parliament of the World's Religions, rang the Bell of World Peace and Love and prayed for the planet during Tai Ji Men’s prayer ceremony at the Parliament on August 16. This marked Tai Ji Men’s first prayer ceremony in Chicago, where representatives from Catholicism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism, and others came together to offer their sincere prayers for humanity. 

 

The theme of 2023 Parliament of the World's Religions, “A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom and Human Rights,” echoed the spirit of the United Nations-designated International Day of Conscience. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, who is the leader of Tai Ji Men and was instrumental in the UN’s adoption of this day, led nearly 120 Tai Ji Men dizi (disciples) to participate in the Parliament, and the prayer ceremony was attended by over 1,000 people in person or online.

 

Originating from ancient times, a prayer ceremony is a form of "communication" between human beings and the heavens. Different ethnic groups have different rituals to express their gratitude to the heavens for nourishing the world and to pray for blessings from the heavens. As extreme weather events, epidemics, wars, and other natural and man-made disasters are seriously threatening the survival of humankind, countless people live in fear and anxiety, and the calming power of the prayer ceremony is urgently needed.

 

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the leader of Tai Ji Men, vice president of the ECOSOC-accredited NGO Association of World Citizens, and president of the Federation of World Peace and Love, rang the Bell of World Peace and Love nine times and wished for the awakening of conscience in global citizens, which in turn would lead to people’s widespread acts of kindness. He also wished for global solidarity to change the world for the better and wished for global sustainability to usher in lasting peace.  

 

The pure sound of the bell reverberated throughout the McCormick Place Lakeside Center, moving many to tears. Notably, as of August 16, 2023, a total of 512 influential leaders from 133 countries—including 59 heads of state and government, as well as seven Nobel Peace Prize laureates—have rung the bell. 

 

Fig. 2: Rabbi David Saperstein, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, is presented with a certificate of honor by Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the leader of Tai Ji Men, after ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love.

 

Nitin Ajmera, chair of the Board of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, graced the ceremony by ringing the bell, stating, "May the vibration of the bell resonate in all our hearts to create a world full of love, compassion, and gratitude for all." Rabbi David Saperstein, renowned globally as a pivotal rabbi and former United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, also rang the bell on the same day. Before ringing the bell, he stated, "May the Divine Peacemaker bless the entire world with profound peace."

 

At the ceremony, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze awarded the FOWPAL Peace Bell Award to Prof. Massimo Introvigne, the founder and managing director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR) and Bitter Winter magazine's editor-in-chief. Prof. Introvigne was honored for his unwavering commitment to the promotion of the freedom of religions or beliefs as well as his dedication to upholding and protecting human rights for over three decades.  

 

Dr. Hong also presented the Compass Clock of Conscience to 15 distinguished representatives from Catholicism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism, and others. The clock symbolizes that everyone is encouraged to follow the guidance of their conscience at all times for global peace, security, and sustainability.

 

Six Tai Ji Men members dressed in angel costumes, performed a dance to highlight the importance of conscience, which guides one in the right direction to the home of the soul. Tai Ji Men also delivered a choral presentation titled "A Prayer for Peace," inspiring people to cherish themselves and others with selfless love. Dr. Hong led all the participants to conduct a one-minute meditation to pray for the world. 

 

Fig. 3: Tai Ji Men dizi (disciples) dressed in angel costumes offer sincere prayers for the betterment of the world. Through this, they highlight the importance of conscience, which guides people in the right direction towards the home of the soul. (AP Images)

 

Many attendees shared their reflections about the ceremony. Desiree English of Cape Town's Gender Equity and Reconciliation International said that she found the bell's sound beautiful and empowering. She likened connecting with its vibrations to spreading global unity like ripples.

 

John Moreschi, from a meditation center in Maryland, felt a surge of positive energy and a sense of well-being flowing through his body.

 

Ken Whitt, a retired American Baptist pastor from Ohio, perceives this call to conscience as a remarkable and enduring endeavor, uniting individuals worldwide to foster inner and global peace through the divine.

 

Sister Hensa from the a spiritual organization reflecting on her participation in the ceremony, appreciated the collective effort and considered it a beacon of light, emphasizing that even a single beacon of peace can hasten global harmony.