Published: 1 August, 2007, 23:16
Edited: 1 August, 2007, 23:16
Buddhists from across Russia have been taking part in an international meditation marathon to make the world a better place. They joined forces with Buddhists from 45 countries.
The participants have been using the Internet to co-ordinate their efforts led by Buddhists in Kassel in Germany, where over 3,000 people gathered for the annual European forum. The goals of the marathon remain the same across the world: emotional balance, sympathy and understanding.
Moscow's Buddhists managed to notch up nearly a million mantras during the marathon.
In our secularised world it's difficult for people to believe in a creator God. But Buddhism doesn’t demand any faith in a creator God. It’s rather a kind of religious philosophy so it is accepted by those people who try to find the meaning of life.
Buddhism's been around in Russia since the 15th century. Three Russian republics are Buddhist and now the religion's enjoying a revival. Nowadays around 700,000 people in Russia follow the faith and people from 65 centres took part in the marathon.
The Buddhists says they've done their bit for international peace – although it's impossible to gauge how successful their efforts will be. Now they'd like world leaders to try a little meditation to heal the world.