Jain spiritual leader Acharya Lokesh received a civic proclamation in New Jersey for his peace work after Mayor Laura Pfrommer of Egg Harbour Township honoured him for promoting global peace and interfaith harmony.
At a ceremony held at the City Council Hall in Egg Harbour Township, Atlantic County, Mayor Pfrommer presented a civic proclamation to Acharya Lokesh, founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti and the World Peace Centre, New Delhi.
The proclamation recognised Acharya Lokesh’s work through the “We Support Peace” campaign, an initiative aimed at encouraging dialogue, non-violence and peaceful coexistence across communities and nations.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Pfrommer said the campaign had now reached the United States and was inspiring people to contribute towards the vision of a world free from war. She also described Acharya Lokesh as someone committed to promoting peace, harmony and universal brotherhood.
According to a press release, Acharya Lokesh, while speaking at the event, invoked the Sanskrit principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, “The World is One Family,” a phrase from ancient Indian scripture that has become shorthand for the country’s pluralist self-image on the global stage.
“War and violence can never solve any problem,” he said. “Violence only breeds further violence, while wars bring immense suffering and are a curse for humanity.”
He enumerated the downstream consequences of conflict – inflation, unemployment, pandemics, and humanitarian crises – and argued that their effects ripple across generations long after the guns fall silent.
The “We Support Peace” campaign, which Acharya Lokesh launched and has carried across continents, operates through the logic of moral persuasion rather than political pressure.
At the close of the ceremony, Acharya Lokesh called upon citizens everywhere to make peace “a global priority.” He offered a blessing for the well-being of all, praying for peace, happiness, and prosperity for humanity.
Jain Acharya Lokesh’s peace campaign reaches the United States, promoting non-violence and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – “The World is One Family” – from ancient Indian scripture.
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