We must continuously begin again and never become discouraged. We must have a sustained peace movement. During this festival thousands walked through the streets, ending up in front of the palace where birds were released in a symbolic gesture of freedom, and balloons flown with peace messages, ushering in the new era of peace and ending the cycles of war, suffering, fear and sorrow. The name of this festival in Khmer means crossing three deserts. Maha Ghosananda explained how Cambodia has crossed the deserts of hatred, greed and delusion which are the cause of war.
Nothing is permanent.
One leads to the other. They also requested seats for representatives of monks, nuns, non-governmental organizations and people's committees as observers in the assembly in an effort to make the period of writing the new Constitution a democratic process. The constitution should be a reflection of the will of the people to move forward to peaceful times. We strongly believe the constitution will provide us with freedom, security and create a civil society wherein basic rights of the people are guaranteed and respected. The group stood with their banners as the representatives filed past to enter the building, chanted prayers of blessing, read a statement and then sat in meditation outside during the session, once again raising banners as the delegates left two hours later.