300 Buddhist priests from Japan, China, and South Korea pray for peace in Hiroshima
Sep. 18, 2015
by Kunihiko Sakurai, Staff Writer
On September 15, the Buddhist Friendship Exchange Conference in Japan, with Buddhist priests gathering from Japan, China, and South Korea, took place at the International Conference Center Hiroshima in Naka Ward. The theme of the conference is “Back to the basics – Pray for achieving peace of mind.” A Buddhist memorial service to pray for peace and an exchange of views were part of the proceedings. Finally, a joint declaration, which seeks to promote dialogue among various religions, was adopted.
Led by a group of Japanese musicians, about 300 participants made their way through the Peace Memorial Park and offered flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims. They also recited the Heart Sutra in front of the Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound. At the International Conference Center, one priest commented about promoting mutual understanding between nations through inter-faith talks.
The joint declaration states that Buddhism should assume a more important role in realizing one’s peace of mind and that compassion must be nurtured through prayer.
Yuishin Ito, 84, the president of the Japan-China-South Korea International Buddhist Exchange Association and the chief priest of the Jodo sect, addressed the participants by saying, “We must appeal continuously for the sanctity of life, based on the spirit of Buddha, rejecting all forms of violence. Conflict arises from the minds of human beings. We must rid our minds of the violence hidden within.”
The Buddhist gathering is held every year with each nation hosting the event, in turn. The conference this year, which marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing, was the 18th such meeting and was held in Hiroshima for the first time.
(Originally published on September 16, 2015)
On September 15, the Buddhist Friendship Exchange Conference in Japan, with Buddhist priests gathering from Japan, China, and South Korea, took place at the International Conference Center Hiroshima in Naka Ward. The theme of the conference is “Back to the basics – Pray for achieving peace of mind.” A Buddhist memorial service to pray for peace and an exchange of views were part of the proceedings. Finally, a joint declaration, which seeks to promote dialogue among various religions, was adopted.
Led by a group of Japanese musicians, about 300 participants made their way through the Peace Memorial Park and offered flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims. They also recited the Heart Sutra in front of the Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound. At the International Conference Center, one priest commented about promoting mutual understanding between nations through inter-faith talks.
The joint declaration states that Buddhism should assume a more important role in realizing one’s peace of mind and that compassion must be nurtured through prayer.
Yuishin Ito, 84, the president of the Japan-China-South Korea International Buddhist Exchange Association and the chief priest of the Jodo sect, addressed the participants by saying, “We must appeal continuously for the sanctity of life, based on the spirit of Buddha, rejecting all forms of violence. Conflict arises from the minds of human beings. We must rid our minds of the violence hidden within.”
The Buddhist gathering is held every year with each nation hosting the event, in turn. The conference this year, which marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing, was the 18th such meeting and was held in Hiroshima for the first time.
(Originally published on September 16, 2015)
