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Peace is not a concept that can be obtained through effort or through religious guidelines (although religion may be the tool that aids in an individual's travel toward a peaceful state). It is not achieved through unity of nations, nor is it found after death. It can never arrive after every desire is fed, because new desires replace those that have already self-destruct. Peace is a state of mind which manifests as being. It is an awareness that transcends all concerns of the material world, and all confusion of the mind. Peace is awareness. It is seeing without eyes, hearing without ears; it is being separate from the irrelevant struggle of the day to day life, while at the same time connected to all that is. Peace is simply being, existing.

A Buddhist fable which tells the tale of a well-known Buddhist Master, who is misjudged and cast out for "sins" he never committed, is a perfect example of the definition of peace. This Buddhist Master lived on the outskirts of a village and was sought for his wisdom for many years, until a young woman who he had helped claimed that she carried his child in her womb. When the other villages confronted him he did not defend himself nor confess the atrocity, he merely responded "Is that so?" When the child was born, the young mother left the infant to the old master to care for. "This child is your responsibility, you take care of him." The Buddhist Master took the baby in his arms and gave the same response as he had before, "Is that so?" A few years had passed, and the parents of the young woman's child came to see the child and the Master. The father approached the Master, "Master we are sorry for the accusations, our daughter told us that the father of this child was not yours, but was a young butcher she had been in love with, despite our disapproval." The master handed the child over to the grandparents and gave the same response as he always had, "Is that so?"

This fable is a perfect demonstration of inner peace. The Buddhist Master is consistent with his response no matter what circumstances befall him. He does not allow the outer-world affect the inner-world, the Master simply exists. Peace cannot be found by looking outside. This is why world peace has not yet been achieved no matter how much humanity desires to live in harmony. If the majority of humanity is not at peace with themselves, how can they be at peace with each other or the environment?

Learn more about this author, Bre Anna Cox.
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