A Peace Mala is a symbolic bracelet that promotes friendship, respect and peace between the faiths and all people in our world. It cuts through all forms of prejudice and celebrates what makes us different from each other.

It is a vision for the future. Wearing the mala is a promise to help create a better world.

Peace Mala - What we stand for

Peace Mala is an award winning project for peace that I began in 2001, in response to the racial and religious bullying of pupils in my school that came out of the 9/11 aftermath.

A Peace Mala is a symbolic double rainbow bracelet that promotes friendship, respect and peace between people of all cultures, lifestyles, faiths, beliefs and none. It is a vision for the future. Wearing the Peace Mala is a promise to help create a better world.

When creating the design for the Peace Mala bracelet I was aware that the rainbow is an important symbolic link between heaven and earth in many cultures. Rainbows are rare and magical and double rainbows even more so. I also realised that the rainbow design would appeal especially to children and young people. Interestingly, when Peace Mala was launched in the UNA Wales Temple of Peace in Cardiff on Wednesday 27th November 2002, a double rainbow appeared in the sky after the ceremonies had finished. Those of us who were present felt it was an auspicious sign.

The Peace Mala bracelet comprises of fourteen coloured beads with a central white or frosted white bead strung between symbolic knots. The central white bead represents the wearer. The final single bead is used as a toggle to bring the bracelet around the wearer's wrist. This represents unity, harmony and peace.

Peace Mala focuses on the Golden Rule. Its intention is to educate and remind everyone that this rule is recognised by many scholars, teachers and philosophers. It is also universal to all compassionate faiths. Simply stated, it is:

"Treat others as you would wish them to treat you."

This is the central message of the Peace Mala bracelet. Its intention is to cut through all forms of prejudice, to confront bullying, to support human rights and to celebrate what makes us different from each other. Fourteen spiritual traditions, along with their individual versions of the Golden Rule, are represented on the bracelet.

Peace Mala reminds us that we all belong and that communities filled with colour and difference make life more interesting and exciting.

The word 'mala' is Sanskrit and means 'garland of flowers'. In the East a mala is a string of beads used in meditation or prayer as each bead or 'flower' focuses on a prayer or mantra. The rainbow beads on this mala of peace focus on the golden rule. They also represent the human family in all its glorious diversity and Divine potential.

Peace Mala is a non-political, non-religious charitable organisation. We do not support any political party, movement or belief system over any other. Our aim is to contribute to education for global citizenship by inviting all people to treat each other with respect regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, sexuality, size, age or ability. Our compassionate wish is for people, animals and the environment to be at peace.

Peace Mala Accreditation for Schools, Youth Groups and Community Groups is awarded when seven areas of action have been completed successfully as outlined in the teacher, youth or community leader self assessment form available on our website. These seven areas fit into the heart-centre of a school, youth group or community group's values system and are in line with the objectives and vision of Peace Mala.

Peace Mala is totally inclusive in its approach. With Peace Mala Accreditation everyone is encouraged to engage in exciting activities which remind us that we are all inter-connected and need each other.

Pam Evans, founder of Peace Mala, explains:

"As a teacher of World Faiths, I've known about the Golden Rule for many years. In the aftermath of the events of 9/11, when some pupils in my school were being bullied because of their race or religion, I remembered the Golden Rule of all faiths. This inspired me to create the Peace Mala - a symbolic bracelet which would help young people understand the fundamental rule that all compassionate faiths share. I hoped that it would educate my pupils in a fun way and help stop the bullying. To my great joy it did! It spread through the school like wildfire.

When I told members of the different faiths about my idea, they responded very positively and later helped us to launch the Peace Mala project at the WCIA/UNA Wales Temple of Peace in Cardiff, using the Golden Rule as a message of peace for our communities and our world."

Anyone may wear a Peace Mala. If members of political parties, religions or peace movements choose to wear Peace Mala bracelets, this does not mean that Peace Mala automatically endorses their cause or belief system.

Peace Mala stands for total compassion for all beings without exception, and does not takes sides with anyone against anyone else. It is a vision for the future. Wearing the Peace Mala is a promise to help create a better world.

The word "mala" is Sanskrit and means garland of flowers. In the East, a mala is a string of beads which may be used in meditation or prayer. Each "flower" or bead on the mala can represent a mantra or prayer.

Our mala is different. It's purpose is not for devotional use though it may be used in that way if the wearer so wishes.

Each coloured bead on the Peace Mala represents a spiritual path or faith and carries the universal peace message known by many people as the Golden Rule. This rule encourages us to treat others as we wish to be treated. By focusing on the Golden Rule, people of all faiths can cooperate with one another without having to participate or believe in each other's particular belief system. This is a basis on which believers of all faiths and spiritual paths can work together for peace and mutual respect.

Running through the peace mala is a simple thread which holds all the rainbow beads together. This may be called the Golden Thread of Spirituality which connects us all through the love in our hearts: acknowledging the Golden Rule and our spiritual unity opens up the pathway to peace.

It is important for young people to learn that the diversity of the human race should be celebrated and not feared. Making and wearing the Peace Mala will give youngsters an opportunity to take part in this wonderful project for world peace. It will also introduce young people to our plural community of diverse cultures and faiths. Young people can learn that communities filled with colour and difference make life more interesting and exciting.

We hope that the Peace Mala will stimulate interest and encourage youngsters and adults to find out more about the faiths represented on it.

We hope that teachers and leaders of faith communities will join in this initiative and help spread the message of love, respect and peace through places of worship, Sunday Schools, Youth clubs, schools, colleges and other centres of learning.

Peace Mala loves Planet Earth

This message comes from all of us at Peace Mala with love to all of you who walk this beautiful planet we call Earth.

May it motivate us all to give thanks for the awesome beauty and majesty of our planet.

May we stop a while and think of all the life forms, including human kind, who share this planet.

May we consider the future of this planet and all who will live on it, long after all of you and all of us have departed this life.

May there be compassion and justice in the hearts and minds of those who hold power in governments and all areas of commerce, religion and education.

Do whatever you can to help make this a better world.

Send out a prayer to all who suffer on this planet at this present time, including animals and the environment. Please do it now...before you forget!

This photograph, taken on October 1st 1998, shows the damage to the Earth's ozone layer. What it doesn't show is the suffering being endured by many of Earth's inhabitants, including humankind.

Peace Mala Green Rule: "Honour planet earth. Show compassion to all living beings and respect the environment."

Peace begins within each one of us.
With our prayers and good wishes

Pam Evans
Founder of the Award Winning Peace Mala project for World Peace

Pam Evans is the founder of the Peace Mala. She is an honours graduate of the University of Wales and is an experienced teacher of World Faiths. Pam worked for over twenty years as Head of Department of Religious Studies in a Carmarthenshire school in West Wales.

Pam is a member of the Anglican Church in Wales and is an Associate of the Society of the Sacred Cross (Tymawr Convent Lydart Monmouth). She is deeply involved with the Christian Buddhist Network of Great Britain and continues to study the mystical traditions of our world. Pam practices meditation and prayer on a daily basis and is a Reiki & Seichim Master Teacher and healer.

Pam is committed to inter-faith dialogue for peace. She sees this as a vital process in the current world climate of fear and misunderstanding. Her creation of the Peace Mala was certainly born out of the 9/11 disaster but was also influenced by personal experience and witness of intolerance and prejudice.

For more information on Pam and her work, please click here.

SUPPORT THE PEACE MALA

If the purpose of the Peace Mala has struck a chord with you, you may want to help us in our initiative to fight prejudice and intolerance.

Donations to Peace Mala will be very welcome and used to promote the message of harmony and respect.