9th Niwano Peace Prize

1992
Sri Lanka

Dr. Ariyaratne created and disseminated throughout his country the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement that emphasizes the ideal of sharing based on the Buddhist spirit. The movement is evaluated highly as a model for rural community development."I cannot awaken myself unless I help awaken others. Others cannot awaken unless I do. So it is an interconnected and interdependent dual process of awakening oneself and society that we have chosen in the Sarvodaya." From Dr. Ariyaratne 's acceptance speech