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THE
ROERICH PACT |
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The
Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace was created and promulgated by Nicholas
Roerich, for the protection of the treasures of human genius. It provides
that educational, artistic, religious and scientific institutions, as well
as all sites of cultural significance, shall be deemed inviolable, and respected
by all nations in times of war and peace. On April 15, 1935 this Pact was
signed in the White House, in the presence of President Franklin D. Roosevelt,
by the representatives of twenty-one Governments of North, Central and South
America.
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This sign of the triad which is
to be found all over the world may have several meanings. Some interpret
it as a symbol of past, present and future, enclosed in the ring of Eternity;
others consider that it refers to religion, science and art, held together
in the circle of Culture. But whatever be the interpretation the sign itself
is of the most universal character.
The oldest of Indian symbols, Chintamani, the sign of happiness, is composed
of this symbol and one can find it in the Temple of Heaven in Peking. It
appears in the Three Treasures of Tibet; on the breast of the Christ in
Memling's well-known painting; on the Madonna of Strasbourg; on the shields
of the Crusaders and coat of arms of the Templars. It can be seen on the
blades of the famous Caucasian swords known as "Gurda".
It appears as a symbol in a number of philosophical systems. It can be found
on the images of Gessar Khan and Rigden Djapo; on the "Tamga" of Timurlane
and on the coat of arms of the Popes. It is to be seen in the works of ancient
Spanish painters and of Titian, and on the ancient ikon of St. Nicholas
in Bari and that of St. Sergius and the Holy Trinity. It can be found on
the coat of arms of the city of Samarkand, on Ethiopian and Coptic antiquities,
on the rocks of Mongolia, on Tibetan rings, on the breast ornaments of Lahul,
Ladak and all the Himalayan countries, and on the pottery of the neolithic
age.
It is conspicuous on Buddhist banners. The same sign is branded on Mongolian
steeds. Nothing, then, could be more appropriate for assembling all races
than this symbol, which is no mere ornament but a sign which carries with
it a deep meaning.
It has existed for immeasurable periods of time and is to be found throughout
the world. No one therefore can pretend that it belongs to any particular
sect, confession, or tradition, and it represents the evolution of consciousness
in all its varied phases. When it is a question of defending the world's
treasures, no better symbol could be selected, for it is universal, of limitless
antiquity and carries with it a meaning which should find an echo in every
heart.
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Nicholas Konstantin Roerich (1875 - 1947)
Culture is reverence of Light. Culture is love of humanity. Culture is fragrance,
the unity of life and beauty. Culture is the synthesis of uplifting and
sensitive attainments. Culture is the armour of Light. Culture is salvation.
Culture is the motivating power. Culture is the Heart.
If we gather all the definitions of Culture we find the synthesis of active
Bliss, the altar of enlightenment and constructive beauty.
Condemnation, disparagement, defiling, melancholy, disintegration and all
other characteristics of ignorance do not befit Culture. The great tree
of Culture is nourished by an unlimited knowledge, by enlightened labor,
incessant creativeness and noble attainment. By study, esteem and admiration
we become real co-operators with evolution and out of the brilliant rays
of supreme Light may emerge true knowledge. This refined knowledge is based
on real comprehension and tolerance. From this source comes the great understanding.
And from the great understanding rises the Supremely Beautiful, the enlightening
and refining enthusiasm for Peace.
Culture and Peace make man verily invincible and realizing all spiritual
conditions he becomes tolerant and all-embracing. Each intolerance is but
a sign of weakness. If we understand that every lie, every fallacy shall
be exposed, it means that first of all a lie is stupid and impractical.
But what has he to hide who has consecrated himself to Peace and Culture?
Helping his near ones he helps general welfare which at all ages was appreciated.
Striving to Peace he becomes a pillar of a progressing State. By not slandering
the near ones we increase the productiveness of the common creativeness.
By not quarreling we shall prove that we possess the knowledge of the foundations.
By not wasting time in idleness we shall prove that we are true co-workers
in the plough-field of Culture. Finding joy in everyday's labour we show
that the conception of Infinity is not alien to us. Not harming others we
do not harm ourselves and eternally giving, we realize that in giving, we
receive. This blessed receiving is not the hidden treasure of a miser. We
understand how creative is affirmation and how destructive is negation.
Amidst basic conceptions those of Peace and Culture are the conceptions
which even a complete ignoramus will not dare to attack. There, where is
Culture, is Peace. There, where is the right solution for the difficult
social problems, is achievement.
Contemporary life is changing rapidly. The signs of a new evolution are
knocking at all doors. In real unconventional science we feel the splendid
responsibility before the coming generations. We understand gradually the
harm of everything negative. We begin to value enlightened positiveness
and constructiveness and in this measure, in merciful tolerance, we can
prepare for our next generation a vital happiness, turning vague abstractions
into beneficent realities.
What an epoch-making day might be before us when over all countries, all
centers of spirit, beauty and knowledge could be unfurled the one Banner
of Culture! This Sign would call everyone to revere the treasures of human
genius, to respect culture and to have a new valuation of labour as the
only measure of true values. From childhood people will witness that there
exists not only a flag for human health but also there is a sign of peace
and culture for the health of the spirit. This sign, unfurled over all treasures
of human genius, will say: Here are guarded the treasures of all mankind,
here above all petty divisions, above illusory frontiers of enmity and hatred
is towering the fiery stronghold of love, labour and all-moving creation.
On the scrolls of command it has been inscribed that a spiritual garden
is daily in need of the same watering as a garden of flowers. If we still
consider the physical flowers the true adornment of our life, then how much
more must we remember and prescribe to the creative values of the spirit
the leading place in the life which surrounds us? Let us then with untiring,
eternal vigilance benevolently mark the manifestations of the workers of
Culture. Let us strive in every possible way to ease this difficult path
of heroic achievement.
Let us also mark and find a place in our lives for the Great Ones, remembering
that their name no longer is personal, with all the attributes of the limited
ego, but has become the property of pan-human Culture, and must be safeguarded
and firmly cared for under most benevolent conditions.
We shall thus continue their self-sacrificing labour and we shall cultivate
their creative sowing which, as we see, is so often covered with the dirt
of non-understanding and overgrown with the weeds of ignorance.
If you shall be asked, of what kind of country and of what a future constitution
you dream, you can answer in full dignity: We visualize the country of Great
Culture. The country of Great Culture shall be your noble motto. You shall
know that in that country will be peace where Knowledge and Beauty will
be revered.
Everything created by hostility is impractical and perishable. The history
of mankind gave us remarkable examples of how necessary just peaceful creativeness
was for progress. The hand will tire from the sword but the creating hand
sustained by the might of the Spirit is untiring and unconquerable. No sword
can destroy the heritage of Culture. The human mind may temporarily deviate
from the primary sources, but at the pre-destined hour it will realign itself
with renewed powers of the spirit.
We are tired of destructions and negations. Positive creativeness is the
fundamental quality of the human spirit. Let us welcome all those who, surmounting
personal difficulties, casting aside petty selfishness, propel their spirits
to the task of preserving Culture, thus insuring a radiant future.
From the medical world we know that the so-called vitalizing remedies cannot
act suddenly. Even for the best vitalizer time is needed so that it can
penetrate to all nerve centers, to stimulate them not only mechanically
but truly to strengthen and revitalize the nerve substance. If we see in
all examples of life the necessity of a certain period for the process of
revitalization, then how undeferrably necessary it is to think and to begin
to act under a sign like the Red Cross of Culture!
Humanity has become accustomed to the sign of the Red Cross. This beautiful
symbol has penetrated life not only in times of war, but has afforded to
all existence an affirmation of the concept of humanitarianism. And the
same realization of humanitarianism, the same undeferrable necessity from
small to great, must surround this sign of Culture is reverence of Light.
Culture is love of humanity. Culture is fragrance, the unity of life and
beauty. Culture is the synthesis of uplifting and sensitive attainments.
Culture is the armour of Light. Culture is salvation. Culture is the motivating
power. Culture is the Heart. If we gather all the definitions of Culture
we find the synthesis of active Bliss, the altar of enlightenment and constructive
beauty. Condemnation, disparagement, defiling, melancholy, disintegration
and all other characteristics of ignorance do not befit Culture. The great
tree of Culture is nourished by an unlimited knowledge, by enlightened labor,
incessant creativeness and noble attainment. By study, esteem and admiration
we become real co-operators with evolution and out of the brilliant rays
of supreme Light may emerge true knowledge. This refined knowledge is based
on real comprehension and tolerance. From this source comes the great understanding.
And from the great understanding rises the Supremely Beautiful, the enlightening
and refining enthusiasm for Peace. Culture and Peace make man verily invincible
and realizing all spiritual conditions he becomes tolerant and all-embracing.
Each intolerance is but a sign of weakness. If we understand that every
lie, every fallacy shall be exposed, it means that first of all a lie is
stupid and impractical. But what has he to hide who has consecrated himself
to Peace and Culture? Helping his near ones he helps general welfare which
at all ages was appreciated. Striving to Peace he becomes a pillar of a
progressing State. By not slandering the near ones we increase the productiveness
of the common creativeness. By not quarreling we shall prove that we possess
the knowledge of the foundations. By not wasting time in idleness we shall
prove that we are true co-workers in the plough-field of Culture. Finding
joy in everyday's labour we show that the conception of Infinity is not
alien to us. Not harming others we do not harm ourselves and eternally giving,
we realize that in giving, we receive. This blessed receiving is not the
hidden treasure of a miser. We understand how creative is affirmation and
how destructive is negation. Amidst basic conceptions those of Peace and
Culture are the conceptions which even a complete ignoramus will not dare
to attack. There, where is Culture, is Peace. There, where is the right
solution for the difficult social problems, is achievement. Contemporary
life is changing rapidly. The signs of a new evolution are knocking at all
doors. In real unconventional science we feel the splendid responsibility
before the coming generations. We understand gradually the harm of everything
negative. We begin to value enlightened positiveness and constructiveness
and in this measure, in merciful tolerance, we can prepare for our next
generation a vital happiness, turning vague abstractions into beneficent
realities. What an epoch-making day might be before us when over all countries,
all centers of spirit, beauty and knowledge could be unfurled the one Banner
of Culture! This Sign would call everyone to revere the treasures of human
genius, to respect culture and to have a new valuation of labour as the
only measure of true values. From childhood people will witness that there
exists not only a flag for human health but also there is a sign of peace
and culture for the health of the spirit. This sign, unfurled over all treasures
of human genius, will say: Here are guarded the treasures of all mankind,
here above all petty divisions, above illusory frontiers of enmity and hatred
is towering the fiery stronghold of love, labour and all-moving creation.
On the scrolls of command it has been inscribed that a spiritual garden
is daily in need of the same watering as a garden of flowers. If we still
consider the physical flowers the true adornment of our life, then how much
more must we remember and prescribe to the creative values of the spirit
the leading place in the life which surrounds us? Let us then with untiring,
eternal vigilance benevolently mark the manifestations of the workers of
Culture. Let us strive in every possible way to ease this difficult path
of heroic achievement. Let us also mark and find a place in our lives for
the Great Ones, remembering that their name no longer is personal, with
all the attributes of the limited ego, but has become the property of pan-human
Culture, and must be safeguarded and firmly cared for under most benevolent
conditions. We shall thus continue their self-sacrificing labour and we
shall cultivate their creative sowing which, as we see, is so often covered
with the dirt of non-understanding and overgrown with the weeds of ignorance.
If you shall be asked, of what kind of country and of what a future constitution
you dream, you can answer in full dignity: We visualize the country of Great
Culture. The country of Great Culture shall be your noble motto. You shall
know that in that country will be peace where Knowledge and Beauty will
be revered. Everything created by hostility is impractical and perishable.
The history of mankind gave us remarkable examples of how necessary just
peaceful creativeness was for progress. The hand will tire from the sword
but the creating hand sustained by the might of the Spirit is untiring and
unconquerable. No sword can destroy the heritage of Culture. The human mind
may temporarily deviate from the primary sources, but at the pre-destined
hour it will realign itself with renewed powers of the spirit. We are tired
of destructions and negations. Positive creativeness is the fundamental
quality of the human spirit. Let us welcome all those who, surmounting personal
difficulties, casting aside petty selfishness, propel their spirits to the
task of preserving Culture, thus insuring a radiant future. From the medical
world we know that the so-called vitalizing remedies cannot act suddenly.
Even for the best vitalizer time is needed so that it can penetrate to all
nerve centers, to stimulate them not only mechanically but truly to strengthen
and revitalize the nerve substance. If we see in all examples of life the
necessity of a certain period for the process of revitalization, then how
undeferrably necessary it is to think and to begin to act under a sign like
the Red Cross of Culture! Humanity has become accustomed to the sign of
the Red Cross. This beautiful symbol has penetrated life not only in times
of war, but has afforded to all existence an affirmation of the concept
of humanitarianism. And the same realization of humanitarianism, the same
undeferrable necessity from small to great, must surround this sign of Culture
similar to the Red Cross. One must not think of Culture at certain times
when digesting the tasty food of a dinner. One should know that during hunger
and cold it is also needed. As the sign of the Red Cross shines luminously
to the wounded, so to the physically and spiritually famished should the
Sign of Culture burn radiantly.
Is it now the time to obstruct, to protest, to disagree and to wrangle pettily?
When a Red Cross Ambulance hurries through the streets all traffic stops
to make way for it. Likewise for the Sign of Culture let us also give up
at least some of our usual habits and all the vulgar sediments and dusty
limitations of ignorance from which, in any case, we will sooner or later
have to purify ourselves.
Culture and Peace - the most sacred goal of Humanity! In these days of great
confusion, both spiritual and material, the disturbed spirit strives to
these radiant strongholds. But we should not unite only abstractly in the
name of these regenerating conceptions. According to our abilities, each
in his own field, we should bring them into actual surrounding life as the
most necessary and undeferrable. We must not fear enthusiasm. Only the ignorant
and the spiritually impotent would scoff at this noble feeling. Such scoffing
is but the sign of inspiration for the true Legion of Honour. Nothing can
impede us from dedicating ourselves to the service of Culture, so long as
we believe in it and give to it our most flaming thoughts.
Above all confusions the Angels sing of Peace and Goodwill. No guns, no
explosives can silence these choirs of heaven. And despite all the earthly
wisdom, idealism, as the Teaching of Good, will still remain the quickest
reaching and most renovating principle in life.
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