May Peace Prevail On Earth
ABOUT US
Allanton Sanctuary, near Dumfries, is the European Sanctuary of the World Peace Prayer Society. The Society was founded in 1955 by the Japanese teacher, philosopher and poet, Masahisa Goi (1916 – 1980) who dedicated his life to peace and humanity.
Masahisa Goi
Following the devastation of the Second World War, Mr Goi looked for a way to bring peace to all people, and the prayer and affirmation ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth’ came to him in a moment of great inspiration. He realised that these words express the common wish of all humanity, transcending all boundaries of race, religion and politics. He envisioned that their gentle, yet powerful effect, would activate global peace consciousness.
The Society’s membership has spread world wide, and includes people from many diverse backgrounds who all believe that global peace can be achieved when each person attains inner peace and each country affirms their commitment to peace. It is a grassroots movement, and Peace Representatives are active members around the world. They volunteer to promote the activities of the Society in their local communities according to the customs and culture of the region.
The headquarters of the Society is at Amenia Sanctuary in upstate New York, and there are offices in New York, San Francisco and Munich.
The Goi Peace Foundation is the Society’s sister organisation, established in Tokyo, Japan in 1999. It is also dedicated to promoting world peace, transcending all boundaries of race, religion and politics. By raising public awareness of peace through various education programmes and by building cooperation amongst individuals and organizations in all fields including education, science and the arts it aims to promote values, wisdom and actions for creating a ‘Culture of Peace.’ The Foundation is an NGO with Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and also maintains official relations with UNESCO.
