The LKPY Concept
This was the official LKPY website in 2008. The content below is from the site's 2008 archived pages as well as other outside sources including LKPY facebook posts.
About LKPY
LKPY is an international peace organization for young people, launched in June 2007.
LKPY is a non-religious, non-profit, charity organization that focuses on the natural goodness within all of us. It aims to create a space for young people to engage in developing peace for themselves, their communities, and the world as a whole.
LKPY believes that peace starts with individuals developing the basis of their own inner peace – kindness; patience; tolerance; generosity.
About LKPY
WHO?
LKPY (Loving Kindness Peaceful Youth) is an international peace organisation for young people, which launched worldwide on June 8th 2007.
There are many peace and youth organisations out there, but what makes us different is our perception of peace. We donÂ’'t view peace as just the absence of war. LKPY believes peace comes from the individual - it's about changing our way of thinking and doing to a more serene approach to: ourselves; to others and the environment.
We aim to include everyone...
All faiths, non-faiths, cultures, sizes, shapes, colours, backgrounds and ages. Even though we say youth, we just mean young thinking. When people are young they tend to think differently, they are inspired to make a difference, make changes and they are passionate about the place they live in and surrender to old age habits.
There is a saying
“a waterfall starts from just one drop of water”.
..LKPY believes “Peace starts from just one person”.
Auckland, New Zealand 1975
This idea came to me as a result of all the discussion which followed the Columbine shootings. You’ll remember how some years ago in the US, some young students carried guns into their school and killed many of their classmates and teachers. People and politicians discussed for months and months whether to allow guns or whether not to allow guns. I never saw one person on TV talking about compassion. I was very surprised, for if you change the way your mind thinks, if you place focus on generating compassion, then you are far less likely to harm others in the first place. I started thinking of ways in which compassion could be regularly encouraged in young people, and it was then that I visualized LKPY – an organization which focuses on educating both the heart, and the mind, with peaceful ideals. I pictured this organization in many countries, especially those countries with a lot of violence, and understood that with a focus on compassion, we could help young people’s lives grow happier and more peaceful, and assist them in finding true fulfillment through the education of a good heart.
–Lama Zopa Rinpoche, 2004
Started in 1999, LKPY has been organically sprouting into an organization. In 2006 five young people, inspired by Lama Zopa’s LKPY concept, gathered together from different sides of Australia to create it into a reality and are known as the originators of LKPY, (Shyla, Freeman, Poh Lin, Mike, Matt, pictured right). In early 2007 more people from all over the world jumped on board, and in June 2007 (to coincide with the Nobel Peace Prize winner, the Dalai Lama’s Australian tour) LKPY launched with an event in Melbourne, Australia, then with events held in eight countries all over the world. In 2010 we gained support of some major corporations, including CleanItSupply.com, who has created scholarships and charitable programs for young people worldwide. To visit and support this business, click here. Your support is always welcome and we encourage you to patronize those businesses that assist our efforts.
The Concept
Here at LKPY we believe that peace isn’t just the absence of war… We believe that peace lies naturally within us all and is our primary reason for existence… LKPY is not about protesting wars, demanding weapon restrictions, creating borders and separation, making demands on politicians, going into war zones, or standing in front of tanks…
Its simpler, its starts with you and me… and that’s why it can work!
It’s about focusing on the positives not the negatives, and through cultivating the organic goodness within ourselves we can reduce the space for the weeds to grow. We do this with simple practices of breathing, slowing down, stretching, communicating and taking the time and space to regularly nourish our mind and body… From this space of feeling better and clearer within ourselves we can then best begin to help others…
The Vision
We believe peace is a constantly growing process: starting through ourselves and then emanating outwards to our families, neighbors and friends, to our community and our environment… We encourage peaceful communication through recognizing our similarities while celebrating our differences, no matter what our beliefs or appearances are. We facilitate this through open discussions, through listening to inspiring people who have done amazing things, through learning about our environment and through volunteering, through getting up and getting out there, for doing what needs to be done to really benefit others.
We all want to make a difference. We all want to be happy. And we all what peace… LKPY just nourishes what is already within you and me!
Objectives
Our objectives are to engage in a range of projects, that specifically focus on:
- Peace building
- Education
- Positive dialogue
- Intercultural & interfaith understanding
- Peer-to-peer support
- Non-violent expression
- Environmental awareness
- Community commitment
- Celebration of creativity
- Personal integrity and empowerment
- Mindful living.
LKPY is for Everyone
LKPY is universal, for all people of all cultures, ages, colors, countries and beliefs. We are about organically cultivating people from the inside out. We encourage slowing down, contentment, breathing, volunteering, smiling, creativity, tolerance, moderation, kindness, supporting others and taking the time to nurture not only ourselves, but our community and the world around us.
We are a way of life.
LKPY utilizes the principles and tools of The Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom, as well as building on a variety of other resources. We support people of all beliefs and cultures to develop inner peace; we wish to give them the skills and confidence to make a difference in themselves, their community and ultimately – the whole world!
LKPY places a focus on young people as in being the ‘next generation’ they are therefore in a prime position to create new concepts of peace. Added to this, young people like to ‘think out of the square’, think ‘big’, and LKPY projects aims to nurture that unique quality within all young people and support their expression of it, so that they can make a difference.
So what’s a young person? Well, age is another boundary we are trying not to subscribe to, so by ‘young’ we mean ‘young minds’ – we want people who think big, with the energy, the enthusiasm and the courage to make a difference. We want everyone to be involved!
LKPY recognizes that global peace starts with the individual, then through others recognizing this positive change, it will slowly have an impact on the larger community. Ultimately LKPY aims to help create a peaceful world.
Projects
Our strategies are to focus on slowing down (through projects such as Habit), communicating with others by focussing on similarities rather than differences (through projects such as Talking Peace), celebrating people's creativities (through projects such as Pieces of Peace and the Talking Peace documentary), inspiring people to do peaceful initiatives (through projects such LKPY Seed Grant) and generally bringing kindness and love back to the world (through projects such as Acts: deliberate acts of kindness).
Eventually we want to run projects for young addicts, underprivileged youths, young people coming out of prisons, young people with life limiting and serious illnesses and disabilities, as well as concerts, cafes, documentaries and online communities for everyone!(and many more things).
LKPY exists through projects that allow people to get involved in a variety of ways. We are in the beginning stages of building ideas for projects. If you would like to get involved or share ideas, please get in touch!
This is currently the key LKPY project:
HABIT!
HABITS are regular gatherings held at café’s or other chilled out venues. These is tea time for the soul… a chance to catch up with like minded people, slow down, change your thinking, workshop the way the world works, learn, listen, collaborate, and be passionate about making a difference.
HABIT!
HABITS are regular gatherings held at caféÂ’s or other chilled out venues. This is tea time for the soul a chance to catch up with like minded people, slow down, change your thinking, workshop the way the world works, learn, listen, collaborate, and be passionate about making a difference.
The HABIT project launch: Sat 1st March 11am Wellington, New Zealand... Contact habit[at]lkpy.org
In 2008 HABITS are being launched in 11 cities across 6 countries.
The HABIT project will be launched worldwide from early 2008. We are just putting the final touches on the HABIT Coordinator Booklet now and it should be ready soon. Are you keen to become a HABIT Coordinator in your town?
How You Can Get Involved with LKPY
LKPY loves…. new ideas, advice, interesting stories, volunteers, new thoughts for LKPY projects, love letters, pictures, donations, your input!
Deliberate Acts of Kindness
Acts of kindness occur everyday. This project is about consciously promoting and celebrating act of kindness, big and small.
1000’s of Acts of Kindness postcards are being distributed throughout the world – asking people to commit to, carry out and tell us about their Deliberate Act of Kindness.
Some ideas are - putting money in someone's parking meter, baking biscuits and giving it to your neighbours, write an old friend a letter, stand on a street corner with a bunch of flowers and give them to the first person who walks past.
You can even download the postcards here, weve translated them into a variety of languages, so everyone all over the world can get involved:
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Any support is very appreciated...
We are a non-profit organisation based in Australia with a worldwide scope.
We are run by young people for young people.Our funds are raised through the kindness of others.
LKPY is run by volunteers and all support goes directly towards creating peace in the world.
Ideas for your kindness include:
- To print 1000 deliberate acts of kindness postcards is AUD $120
- To sponsor 5 HABIT Coordinators Packs is AUD$100
- To post one peace class survey pack is AUD$20
- And any contributions towards the peace grant is welcome
OR
Send cheques and money orders to:
Loving Kindness Peaceful Youth
PO Box 551
Unley SA 5061
AUSTRALIA
Corporate sponsorship and philanthropists are always welcome and if you hear of any grant opportunities please let us know.
If you have any queries, questions, comments, suggestions, ideas please do not hesitate to contact our treasurer Mike Reid - michael[at]lkpy.org
Donations are not always about money - we would love you to donate your time and skills too:
More Background On LKPY.org
Loving Kindness Peaceful Youth (LKPY) is an international peace organization founded in June 2007. It is a non-religious, non-profit charity that focuses on nurturing the inherent goodness within individuals. LKPY aims to create spaces for young people to engage in developing peace for themselves, their communities, and the world at large. The organization's philosophy centers on the belief that peace originates from individuals cultivating inner qualities such as kindness, patience, tolerance, and generosity.
Founding and Vision
The concept of LKPY was inspired by discussions following the tragic Columbine High School shootings in the United States. Lama Zopa Rinpoche, reflecting on the absence of discourse around compassion during these discussions, envisioned an organization that would educate both the heart and mind with peaceful ideals. He believed that by focusing on generating compassion, individuals would be less inclined to harm others. This vision materialized into LKPY, an organization dedicated to fostering inner peace and compassion among young people worldwide.
Objectives and Activities
LKPY's objectives encompass a range of projects focused on:
- Peace building
- Education
- Positive dialogue
- Intercultural and interfaith understanding
- Peer-to-peer support
- Non-violent expression
- Environmental awareness
- Community commitment
- Celebration of creativity
- Personal integrity and empowerment
- Mindful living
The organization emphasizes that peace is not merely the absence of war but a state that begins within individuals and radiates outward to families, communities, and the environment. LKPY encourages peaceful communication by recognizing similarities while celebrating differences, regardless of beliefs or appearances.
Key Projects
One of LKPY's flagship projects is "HABIT!"—regular gatherings held at cafés or other relaxed venues. These sessions, described as "tea time for the soul," provide opportunities for individuals to connect with like-minded people, slow down, engage in thoughtful discussions, and collaborate on initiatives aimed at making a positive difference. In 2008, HABIT! was launched in 11 cities across six countries, reflecting LKPY's commitment to fostering global peace through local engagement.
Another notable initiative is "Deliberate Acts of Kindness," which promotes and celebrates conscious acts of kindness, both big and small. The project involves distributing postcards encouraging individuals to commit to and share their acts of kindness, thereby fostering a culture of compassion and generosity.
Inclusivity and Participation
LKPY is universal and inclusive, welcoming individuals of all cultures, ages, colors, countries, and beliefs. While the organization places a focus on young people, it defines "young" as having a youthful mindset—thinking big, being inspired to make a difference, and challenging old habits. LKPY recognizes that global peace starts with the individual and aims to help create a peaceful world by nurturing positive change within each person.
Support and Sustainability
As a non-profit organization based in Australia with a worldwide scope, LKPY operates through the kindness and generosity of others. It is run by volunteers, and all support goes directly toward creating peace in the world. The organization welcomes donations, both monetary and in the form of time and skills, to support its various projects and initiatives.
Loving Kindness Peaceful Youth (LKPY) embodies a holistic approach to peacebuilding, emphasizing that true peace begins within each individual. Through its diverse projects and inclusive philosophy, LKPY provides platforms for individuals to cultivate inner peace, engage in compassionate actions, and contribute to a more harmonious world. By focusing on the natural goodness within all of us, LKPY inspires and empowers people to make meaningful changes in themselves and their communities.