(29 October 2003) His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi called on America’s wealthy to quickly establish a $1 billion endowment fund to create a group of 8,000 peace-creating experts in the United States to promote permanent world peace. Maharishi said that the group, to be established by the US Peace Government, will create coherent world consciousness so that negativity does not arise anywhere on the globe and the whole world family enjoys invincibility, affluence, and peace – now and in the future.

"One billion dollars for peace is nothing compared to what is spent on war – but it is enough to save the world," Maharishi said. Maharishi then added a strong caution to the wealthy: "Establish the endowment and bring the light of peace now – or darkness will bring destruction to your nation."

Maharishi’s bold pronouncements came during an historic international news conference held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on Friday, October 24. Maharishi spoke live via satellite from the Capital of the Global Country of World Peace in Meru, Holland. The event was covered by America’s top financial and news press, including Barron’s (The Wall Street Journal’s prestigious weekly newspaper), The New York Times, Newsday, New York Post, The Boston Globe, Money, and Smart Money.

In response to a reporter’s question, Maharishi explained how, after centuries of conflict and war, lasting peace can now finally be achieved. "We have in our grip, in this scientific age, the knowledge of the Unified Field – the Constitution of the Universe – which governs the ever expanding universe with perfect order," Maharishi said. "We are ready to utilise this knowledge to raise national administration to be as orderly as the administration of the universe. We are ready to utilise this knowledge to create a world of harmony and peace for the present – and for the future. We will bring the light, and the darkness will disappear."

Dr John Hagelin, a world-renowned quantum physicist, Minister of Science and Technology of the Global Country of the World Peace, and President of the US Peace Government, outlined Maharishi’s peace plan for the United States, including the following programmes to create a lasting influence of coherence and harmony in national and world consciousness:

Dr Hagelin presented the extensive scientific research and modern scientific principles that validate the effectiveness of Maharishi’s programmes to prevent violence and conflict and promote peace and harmony in society. Maharishi’s global peace plan calls for a University of World Peace and a large group of Yogic Flyers in every country and 3,000 Peace Palaces in the world’s largest 3,000 cities.

Following Dr Hagelin, several of America’s top leaders, including retired corporate president Robert Brown, real estate developer Robert LoPinto, successful entrepreneur Lincoln Norton, and award-winning film director David Lynch, revealed plans now under way in cities across the country to raise from top foundations and billionaires the $1 billion endowment needed to create permanent world peace. Mr LoPinto also announced that he is contributing $1 million towards the construction of a Peace Palace in Long Island, New York.

Maharishi offered praise for the efforts of Dr Hagelin and the leaders. "It is the readiness of the wise and competent men of America, led by Dr Hagelin, that will save the world," Maharishi said.

Maharishi concluded the news conference with a special message for the people of New York City. "There is constant heart palpitation in New York because it is the financial capital of the world: Today the price is high; tomorrow it is low. We will bring peace to this heart-palpitating quality of life. Then, the businessmen of New York will enjoy greater success, and will raise the world economy to a high level of prosperity and peace for everyone – without heart palpitations. It is a great joy to announce these plans for New York. And with the establishment of this endowment fund, it will be an even greater joy to produce the peaceful effect," Maharishi said.