Mission will ring bells for Peace Day
In celebration of Peace Day in Hawaii, the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii will be ringing temple bells around the islands at 12:01 p.m. Monday — virtually and in real life.
At noon, Bishop Eric Matsumoto will lead a minute of silence, honoring all those who have sacrificed for the achievement of peace. At 12:01 p.m., young people will ring the bells from their local temples, churches, schools and community organizations. The program will also be streamed live via Zoom.
Sept. 21 has been the International Day of Peace since it was established by the United Nations in 1981. It is also Peace Day in the state, thanks to members of the Hawaii Federation of Junior Young Buddhist Association, who presented a resolution to the Honpa Legislative Assembly, requesting that Hawaii recognize an official Peace Day in the State.”
“Hawaii was the first state to recognize Peace Day thanks to the youth,” says event organizer Rene Mansho. “For this reason, we want to acknowledge and include as many youth as we can, to show our appreciation, and acknowledge them as our best hope for the future of peace in our world.”
Mansho said the group is reaching out to worldwide peace proponents, as well as military service branches, activists, and communities everywhere, to join in the bell-ringing from their locations. “This is a wonderful opportunity to bring people together, no matter where they are and what their beliefs and politics are. We can take a step back, listen to the sound of the bells, and just for a time, think Peace.”
Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to sign up by email at renemansho @hawaii.rr.com, or (808) 291-6151. For more information, visit www.hongwanji hawaii.com.