Animoca Brands, its subsidiary The Sandbox, and metaverse architect Smobler have jointly launched the Universal Peace Sanctuary, an innovative virtual experience within The Sandbox metaverse. According to Animoca Brands, the new digital sanctuary aims to bring people together to explore interactive experiences centered on global harmony.

Vision and Mission

The physical Universal Peace Sanctuary, currently under construction in Lumbini, Nepal, was conceived by Dzogchen master His Eminence Shyalpa Rinpoche. The virtual version in The Sandbox aims to embody his vision of making peace more fashionable than war. The sanctuary provides a digital space for users to engage in activities that promote tolerance, cooperation, and reconciliation.

Features and Experiences

As players navigate the virtual Universal Peace Sanctuary, they will encounter various locations that reveal the site’s rich history and significance. The experience includes educational content on major conflicts in human history and their consequences, offering guiding lessons towards achieving world peace through inner peace.

Statements from Key Figures

His Eminence Rinpoche emphasized the importance of unconditional love as the true source of peace. “The Universal Peace Sanctuary in The Sandbox provides a neutral, digital space for everyone, including world leaders and diplomats seeking peaceful resolutions to global conflict,” he stated.

Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, expressed excitement about the project, highlighting its potential to promote inclusive and harmonious spaces in both the real and virtual realms. “We believe that initiatives like this can drive meaningful engagement and contribute to positive change both in the real world and in the open metaverse,” Siu said.

Community and Engagement

Loretta Chen, founder and CEO of Smobler, noted the project’s alignment with their previous work on Bhutan-Verse for the Kingdom of Bhutan. She highlighted the unique blend of serenity, education, wellness, and purpose-fueled adventure that the digital sanctuary offers.

Sebastien Borget, co-founder and COO of The Sandbox, emphasized the sanctuary’s role in promoting global peace. “My hope is for players to enter the Universal Peace Sanctuary in The Sandbox and open themselves to discovery by exploring new cultures, conversing with others, making offerings and donations, and embracing a global message of peace,” Borget stated.

Broader Implications

While the physical Universal Peace Sanctuary is still being constructed, the virtual version allows people worldwide to engage with its mission. Events and activities within the metaverse enable users to contribute to the cause of peace, making the sanctuary a timeless reminder of the quest for enduring peace and compassionate living.

The Universal Peace Sanctuary aims to be more than just a digital space; it strives to be a beacon for tolerance, cooperation, and reconciliation, embodying His Eminence Rinpoche’s teachings on peace and global harmony.

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