IPSWICH THINGS TO DO

SRI CHINMOY PEACE STATUE – Christchurch Park – Ipswich

Ipswich Borough Council at Christchurch Park, Ipswich

Information - SRI CHINMOY PEACE STATUE – Christchurch Park – Ipswich

The Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Pat Bruce-Browne,  will officially unveil a statue donated in commemoration of peace campaigner Sri Chinmoy on Sunday 21st June at 2pm in the Upper Arboretum, Christchurch Park.

The location is one of the most scenic areas of the 82 acre park and was chosen to suit the nature of the memorial, which aims to provide a tranquil space for quiet reflection.

Commissioned by the international Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run organisation, the bronze statue, plinth and plaque, along with a bench, are currently being installed in the Upper Arboretum by members of the Ipswich Borough Council Parks team. On Wednesday one of the Parks Team gardeners, John, was making final preparations at the new Sri Chinmoy Peace Garden in Christchurch Park.

Sri Chinmoy was a spiritual master who taught meditation.  He visited Ipswich on two occasions in 1976 and 1987.  Chinmoy established his first meditation centre in Queens, New York, and eventually had seven thousand students in 60 countries.  Mr Spettigue, the founder of the Ipswich centre in Soane Street said, “We want to offer something that will inspire people to think more and more about peace and to understand how important peace is to an individual.”

Ipswich has been designated as a Sri Chinmoy Peace Town and several sporting events named after him have been held in the town in recent years.

‘Peace Statues’ of Sri Chinmoy holding a Peace Torch are located around the world and one of these has already been in place at Chantry Park, Ipswich since 2013. Created by British sculptor Kaivalya Torpy, a British artist renowned for his public sculptures, they are intended to be a lasting symbol of Sri Chinmoy’s messages of harmony, self-transcendence and inner peace.

There is a new bench and rose bed by the statue where people can sit peacefully and meditate.  Residents and visitors are welcome to attend the unveiling, and enjoy this new addition to the features, facilities and tranquil settings within Ipswich’s historic Christchurch Park.

Peace Statue to inspire unity and reflection in Christchurch Park | ipswich.gov.uk

Images: Tim Leggett