Hovea, Australia

report by Elaine Bowkett

Our SOPP ceremony this year was a Prayer Circle for Peace and Harmony, held on May 18th. Once again, this global celebration of humanity’s diversity and oneness was held in the beautiful bushland setting of Hovea Ashram, which is located in the Darling Ranges in the outskirts of Perth, Western Australia.

This year, with a lot of encouragement and help from my friends, we decided to hold a more intimate gathering of people coming together to share their individual prayers and views on how we can bring about the reality of the universal prayer May Peace Prevail on Earth. The program evolved into a group discussion, with all present sharing their prayers, music, and perspective on how we can achieve the reality of universal peace. It was wonderful, and very inspiring!

After our afternoon tea break we went into the grounds, where the first olive tree was symbolically planted under the Olive Tree for Peace and Justice Initiative. This is a community project that aims to promote in a symbolic way—peace for mankind and harmony with creation and awareness that the environment is essential for all humans. May many more be planted all over the country and the world!

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