This virtual sanctuary is designed to promote peace, unity, and cultural understanding and serves as the digital counterpart to the physical Universal Peace Sanctuary, currently under construction in Lumbini, Nepal.
The Vision Behind the Universal Peace Sanctuary
The physical and virtual versions of the Universal Peace Sanctuary are the brainchild of Dzogchen master His Eminence Shyalpa Rinpoche, who envisioned the sanctuary as a beacon for global harmony. Rinpoche’s mission is to “make peace more fashionable than war” by fostering tolerance, cooperation, and reconciliation. Through this initiative, players from diverse backgrounds can explore the principles of peace in an immersive and interactive setting.
The virtual sanctuary offers participants the opportunity to engage in a variety of experiences designed to teach the importance of unconditional love, inner peace, and cooperation. Players learn about the effects of major conflicts throughout history, reflecting on their consequences and gaining insight into how world peace can be achieved through inner transformation.
His Eminence Shyalpa Rinpoche emphasized the need for everyone to join in the mission for universal peace, stating, “Unconditional love is the true source of peace in the world. We all need to build temples of tolerance and peace within our own hearts.”
Players can access the Universal Peace Sanctuary through The Sandbox launcher. The launcher and the vitual experience are free and open to everyone.
Universal Peace Sanctuary in The Sandbox
Players entering the Universal Peace Sanctuary in The Sandbox will be guided through an educational journey that explores the impacts of historical conflicts. Each location in the virtual sanctuary reveals layers of history, offering players the opportunity to engage in deep reflection and gain insights into the pathways to world peace. The immersive experience is designed to encourage players to think about the consequences of war and the role of inner peace in resolving global conflicts.
Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, expressed excitement about the project, noting that the Universal Peace Sanctuary is an example of how web3 technology can be used to create meaningful, immersive experiences that promote positive change. “The new virtual sanctuary in The Sandbox leverages web3 to create an immersive experience and promote peace, tolerance, and understanding,” said Siu. “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.”
Though the world of gaming is often associated with fast-paced action, Smobler’s CEO Loretta Chen pointed out that digital spaces can also be designed to foster peace and reflection. She highlighted the balance between play and purpose in the Universal Peace Sanctuary, noting that players can solve puzzles, meditate, and reflect while engaging with the experience.
Chen stated, “Whether you are solving a puzzle, deep in reflection, or actively engaged in meditation, the digital version of the Universal Peace Sanctuary in The Sandbox will offer a unique blend of serenity, education, wellness, and purpose-fueled adventure.”
Virtual Experiences Fostering Global Engagement
Sebastien Borget, co-founder and COO of The Sandbox, emphasized the importance of the virtual sanctuary in fostering global engagement. He noted that the Universal Peace Sanctuary offers a neutral space where people from all over the world can come together to explore new cultures and promote peace.
“The Sanctuary is a place of acceptance, remembrance, and engagement,” said Borget. “Our actions in the social and virtual space should matter as much as they do in the physical world.”
As construction on the physical Universal Peace Sanctuary in Lumbini continues, the virtual experience offers players an opportunity to engage with the mission for peace right now, contributing to global efforts through events and activities hosted in the metaverse.
With this new initiative, Animoca Brands, The Sandbox, and Smobler are demonstrating the potential of web3 technologies to create spaces that inspire real-world action, bringing the vision of universal peace closer to reality.
About Animoca Brands
Animoca Brands is a leader in the web3 space, driving digital property rights through non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain gaming. The company has a vast portfolio of products and subsidiaries that promote the open metaverse. It has made over 540 web3 investments, including prominent names like Yuga Labs, OpenSea, and Polygon.
What is The Sandbox?
The Sandbox is a decentralized metaverse platform, part of Animoca Brands, where users can create, play, and monetize their own experiences. The platform focuses on user-generated content and creative freedom, leveraging NFTs to give players and creators ownership of their virtual assets. With over 400 partners, including popular brands and celebrities, The Sandbox is one of the most well-known virtual worlds and blockchain gaming hubs in the web3 space.
What is Smobler?
Smobler is a pioneering metaverse architect and portfolio company of Animoca Brands. The company is known for its innovative digital creations, including metaverse experiences for major brands such as Airbus, BMW, and GoPro. Smobler has previously worked on projects like BhutanVerse for the Kingdom of Bhutan, blending metaverse technology with cultural and educational missions.
