Establish a $1 billion endowment to create permanent world peace

Gothic director wants to build 100 meditation palaces

At a press conference in New York's plush Plaza hotel, David Lynch launched a $1 billion fundraising campaign to build 100 'peace palaces' across America, part of a plan for 3,000 buildings across the globe, one in each major city. Inside the palaces up to 300 devotees will spend their time meditating and 'yogic flying', which practitioners say is a form of levitation. Once the peace palaces are up and running - the theory goes - war, violence and crime will come to an end.

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."

Top leaders announce plans to raise $1 billion

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.

Prosperity and peace in New York City - without heart palpitations