U Thant Island: Compassion-Home (overview – examples) - Historical Repository for Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations

U Thant Island: Compassion-Home (overview – examples)

Filed under Special programmes | U Thant Peace Award

In 1977, the small island visible from the UN offices was renamed U Thant Island.

Sri Chinmoy meditates at U Thant Island 19 March 1985 : U Thant Peace Award for UNDP

U Thant Island, named and dedicated by the Peace Meditation group at the UN, is a small parcel of land in the East River about one-quarter mile from United Nations Headquarters.

In 1977 the state of New York, through a lease, authorised the Peace Meditation group to begin a programme of gradual beautification of the site. Called “U Thant Island: Compassion-Home,” it is consecrated to the attainment of world peace through prayer and meditation. The development of the island has been undertaken in keeping with the humility, simplicity and dignity which characterized the late Secretary-General.

Visible from the United Nations Secretariat, the Island serves as a reminder of U Thant’s belief that, through perseverance, prayer and meditation, the attainment of our highest ideals is possible.

Father James Finlay, President of Fordham University in New York, which had bestowed an honorary degree upon the Secretary-General, commented on the dedication of the Island:

“The Fordham University Community reaffirms the soundness of choice that selected this form of memorial to this distinguished world citizen. We too, in America now have a fragment of the golden land in our midst, as a perpetual and lovely reminder of a country that produced the distinguished individual who deserves the finest accolade our world can bestow–peacemaker among nations and all men of all time_ “

Manhattan map showing location of island:

View of island from Queens, with explanatory park sign

Links to programmes at island

Example of Award on Island:

Award to United Nations Development Programme UNDP (1985 Mar 19)

more details

NBC’S RUSSELL BARBER: U THANT PEACE AWARD (1986 Nov 06)

The 1986 U Thant Peace Award was presented Nov. 6 to Russell Barber, producer and host of a local television show on world spirituality and religion. “In you we see and feel at every moment a oneness-heart and a oneness- … Read more →

Link to U Thant Peace Award..

The U Thant Peace Award is a symbolic presentation by Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations to acknowledge, appreciate and admire distinguished accomplishments toward the attainment of world peace.

The award was named for the late Secretary-General of the United Nations in honour of this contemplative world leader’s exemplary devotion to peace in both his personal and his political life.

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