The World Peace Conference 2025 commenced with the consecration of the Six Guardians of Peace—Roku Jizō statues—at the Buddha Park, Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Leh, on August 23.

The dedication ceremony was led by Rev. Koya Matsuoka and Sachiko of Susono Komyoji Temple, Japan, in the presence of Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Leh, Adv. Tashi Gyalson; Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena; and other distinguished international delegates. The offering, facilitated by Jin Young Lim and Stanzin Gurmet from the Spawo Foundation, symbolised a gesture of peace from Japan to the Himalayas of Ladakh.

Following the consecration, delegates moved to the MIMC Cultural Hall where the dignitaries lit the Holy Lamp, formally inaugurating the three-day World Peace Conference 2025.

The conference is jointly organised by MIMC in collaboration with the Ladakh Shanti Stupa Committee, Thiksey Monastery, LAHDC Leh, UT Administration of Ladakh, Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP), International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP), Global Peace Foundation (GPF), and other interfaith and civil society organisations.

In his welcome address, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Founder-President of MIMC, reflected on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, recalling the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki while urging humanity to transform such painful memories into compassion and solidarity.

Delivering the keynote address, CEC Tashi Gyalson congratulated the recipients of the World Peace Award and other dignitaries. Stressing that peace demands meaningful and constructive action, he underlined that humanity’s real challenge today is not conflict with one another but the fight against climate change and environmental degradation. He called upon participants to practice the shared values of harmony, compassion, and responsibility in daily life, expressing hope that collective efforts will secure peace for future generations.

Dr. P.R. Trivedi, President of IAEWP, highlighted the role of education in nurturing compassionate world citizens and launched two publications: From Bombings to Brotherhood: From Memories to Mission, marking the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Ladakh: Past, Present and Future. Both were presented to the CEC as symbols of Ladakh’s growing role in global peace dialogues.

Other speakers included Dr. Markanday Rai, Chairman of GPF India, who emphasised collective responsibility in addressing modern conflicts and environmental concerns; C. Phuntsog, Chairman of the Ladakh Shanti Stupa Management Committee, who spoke on Ladakh’s cultural heritage of coexistence; Ven. Ming Kuang, President of the Chinese Buddhist Association, Taiwan, who underlined compassion as the root of unity; and Rev. Koya Matsuoka, Abbot of Komyoji Temple, Japan, who offered prayers of remembrance for Hiroshima and Nagasaki while reaffirming a commitment to non-violence. Abhijeet Haldar, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation, stressed dialogue as a key to bridging global divides.

A major highlight of the inaugural session was the presentation of the World Peace Awards 2025, conferred upon distinguished global personalities in recognition of their contributions to peace, human welfare, and interfaith harmony. Among the awardees was CEC Adv. Tashi Gyalson, whose recognition stood as a symbol of Ladakh’s central role in the global mission for peace.

The conference continued till August 25 with interfaith prayers, panel discussions, commemorative rituals, workshops, and cultural performances, culminating in the adoption of the Ladakh Peace Declaration 2025.