United Nations declares December 21 as World Meditation Day

News / Updates

Instrumental for this outcome were the yearlong efforts by Swami Arun from Osho Tapoban in Nepal, and friends.

sunrise

On December 7, 2024 the United Nations officially declared December 21 as World Meditation Day.

According to an article in the Times of India, the draft was introduced to the General Assembly by Myriam Oehri, Counselor, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Principality of Liechtenstein, who said that “the intention behind the resolution was to raise awareness about meditation worldwide.” And that “it will provide an important anchor in the UN calendar each year to be commemorated by the UN, its communities and individuals.” The resolution was unanimously adopted, with strong support from core group countries including Nepal, India, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Mexico, and Andorra, including support from 60 co-sponsors.

Swami Arun played a key role in advancing this proposal. Over the years, he has written articles and delivered lectures on the importance of establishing a global day for meditation, both in Nepal and internationally. As reported in Osho News way back in 2017, Arun proposed that the Government of Nepal work with the United Nations to establish an International Meditation Day. During his meetings with Nepal’s Home, Education, and Foreign Ministries, discussions centered around the global importance of such an observance. (The date chosen was Buddha Purnima (Vesak), the Full Moon of April/May.)

Then, in 2019, his efforts were recognized by the State of Virginia in the US, when on February 16, 2019 (during lockdown), a proclamation was passed to celebrate April 30 as the International Meditation Day. The proclamation was supported by Virginia State Senator Jennifer Boysko, House Delegate John Bell, and Loudoun County Chair Phyllis Randall.

This historic moment was documented under House Resolution #443 in Virginia and received widespread media attention and was also reported in Osho News. The initiative was backed by key figures such as Mr. Hari Sharma, Mr. Subarna, and others.

Proclamation for International Meditation Day
Proclamation for International Meditation Day, Virginia, USA
Group in Virginia
Group in Virginia

On February 18, 2019, Arun visited the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York, where he met with Head of Mission, Mr. Nirmal Raj Kafle. They assured him that the proposal would be presented at the next UN meeting.

At Permanent Mission to Nepal to UN in NY
At Permanent Mission to Nepal to UN in NY

The following day, on February 18, 2019, Arun was invited to deliver a lecture at the Nepalese Embassy in the United States, where he discussed Meditation and the Relevance of Buddha’s Teachings. The event was attended by representatives from various countries, including the Ambassadors of Sri Lanka and Myanmar, who pledged their support for the proposal. A short meditation session followed the lecture, attended with great enthusiasm by all guests.

At Embassy of Nepal with H.E. Ambassador of Nepal, Myanmar and Srilanka
At Embassy of Nepal with H.E. Ambassador of Nepal, Myanmar and Srilanka

In an historic development, on October 21, 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Swami Arun’s proposal for a World Meditation Day was also presented to him by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Mr Narayan Kaji Shrestha, further solidifying the country’s commitment to global meditation advocacy. He requested Mr Guterres to help in declaring an International Meditation Day to commemorate the meditation method of the Buddha. Secretary-General Guterres was delighted to hear about the proposal.

Narayan Kaji Shrestha with UN Sec General Guterres / UN Sec General in Lumbini

Narayankaji Shrestha & Swami Arun at Osho Tapoban
Narayankaji Shrestha and Swami Arun at Osho Tapoban

The declaration of December 21 as the World Meditation Day is a significant milestone, not only for meditation practitioners but for the global recognition of the profound benefits of meditation and its inner transformation. The winter solstice, which falls on this date, will now serve as a reminder of the power of meditation.

Understandably, this achievement brings immense pride to all meditators worldwide and Osho’s community, in particular, who have been involved in this development, and who are fortunate to have imbibed Osho’s teachings and vision for the world, and have experienced first-hand the power and benefits of Osho’s innovative active meditations.

It is expected that on this day numerous events and programs will be organized across the globe to celebrate meditation as a tool for personal and collective growth and transformation, as well as its healing power.

(In addition to the international efforts for a World Meditation Day, Arun’s initiatives had also led to the inclusion of yoga and meditation as part of the school curriculum in Nepal.)

Immeasurable thanks go to those who came together in different cities and events to support the Tapoban Team’s’ efforts that have lead to this historical achievement.

Materials and facts/context provided by Samir Khanal (Swami Krishnananda) of Osho Nirvana (oshosandiego.com), San Diego, CA, USA – samir.khanal@gmail.com

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Featured image by Ravi Pinisetti on Unsplash

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