Jay Z Plays Peacemaker ... Stay Away From Bey! (VIDEO)

Jay Z took his "peace" t-shirt very literally Monday in Manhattan ... shedding his bodyguard's protection to go all Gandhi and squash some beef that was bubbling up way too close to Beyonce.

Jay and Bey were walking out of a building when one of their long-time bodyguards swiped at a pap to move him back. Some back and forth barking started, and that's when Jay sprung into Zen action.

You gotta see how he calmly diffused the situation ... allowing Bey to slip by unscathed.

West coast living is definitely getting to the kid from Brooklyn.