By invitation of Reverend Nagase the Abbot of London Nipponzan Myohoji, a party of over 20 attendees from London Fo Guang Shan Temple consisted of Sub-Chapter 2 and 3 presidents Marcus Chan and Ting Moi Ling, committee members and members and led by Venerable Chueh Yun, attended the 29th Anniversary of the London Peace Pagoda on 21 June 2014. The London Peace Pagoda was built by the Japanese Buddhist centre, Nipponzan Myohoji as a symbol of World Peace. The auspicious celebration was  attended by Cllr Stuart Thom, the Mayor of Wandsworth; Venerable Seelawimala, Theravada tradition London Buddhist Vihara; Venerable from Theravada tradition Amaravati Buddhist Monastery; Mahayana tradition was represented by London Fo Guang Shan Temple and faiths of other religions were represented by Reverend Jon Dal Din, the Catholic Church; Reverend Alan Gadd, the Anglican Church and representatives from Baha’i, Hindu, Islam, Jain, Jewish and Sikh.

 

The Ceremony commenced with an auspicious prayer session by the monks of Nipponzan Myohoji led by Reverend Nagase. It was followed by incense and flower offering. Then the prayer session continued with chanting by the Buddhist organisations namely London Buddhist Vihara; Amaravati Buddhist Monastery and London Fo Guang Shan Temple. The congregation was then invited to join the encircling prayer procession of the Peace Pagoda led by the monks and nuns of Nipponzan Myohoji and ordained clergy from other traditions to pray for World Peace.

 

A special address was given by Venerable Gyosei Masunaga Shonin, Senior Priest of Nipponzan Myohoji in Europe. The Venerable related the devastating earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan in 2011 with a death toll of close to 16,000 people. The earthquake triggered 3 meltdowns of the nuclear power stations at Fukushima. 3 years on Japan is still suffering the aftermath of the disaster as the stations constantly facing problem of major leakage. The level of contamination in sea-life has not reduced due to the constant leakage of radiation from these nuclear power stations. Sadly, due to the Japanese culture of ‘saving face’, the problem continues and for Japan, it is an extremely heavy and painful cost to the health of the human race for a permanent duration. The Venerable went on to say that we should always remember the teaching of the Buddha to always be kind and compassionate to all sentient beings and must not cause harm to others in order to ‘save pride’.

 

Faiths of other religions had all contributed to the Event by giving a short passage or reciting prayers for World Peace.

 

The Celebration ended successfully on a joyous note with a session of devotional music and dance. Among the interesting programmes were the India Dance, Burmese Dance and London Fo Guang Shan has performed the Three Good Deeds and it was well received by all.