To mark the 33rd anniversary of the “World Peace Prayer Gathering” ceremony a special ringing was held at the Canberra Rotary Peace Bell where the words of the ancient Chinese Philosopher Laozi were read. Following each verse, the Peace Bell was struck with the wish “May Peace Prevail on Earth”. A portable Peace Pole was also placed on the deck of the Peace Bell Pavilion to mark the occasion. The first Peace Prayer gathering was held at the Hieizan Enryakuji Temple in Kyoto Japan in 1987.