The Otago Light of Peace is an outdoor event involving the lighting of candles for peace. It will be arranged in front of the Clock Tower at the University of Otago, and open for everyone to join, regardless of their religion, belief, gender or age. The project expects that whoever participates in the event will realise their own inner peace and pass that on to others in the society so that they can find the real peace within themselves. Inner peace and the candlelight of peace can inspire people to share peace, loving kindness and compassion in their societies. The event of peace can encourage people to think more about peace and to create more activities around the issue of peace in society.

The University’s Clocktower Lawn glowed with 150 lights for peace at the Otago Light of Peace ceremony on Tuesday evening. A large crowd turned out for the event, which was part of the Dhammachai International Research Institute’s (DIRI) contribution to the University’s 150th anniversary celebrations. One of many Light of Peace ceremonies that have been held around the world, it was organised by DIRI in conjunction with two seminars held at the University this week, in cooperation with the Religion programme at Otago. An academic seminar on Early Buddhist Manuscripts was accompanied by another seminar considering practical means to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and in particular Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.