In celebration of Peace Day in Hawaii, the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii will host an online ringing of the bells at temples and favorite places around the islands at 9:01 a.m. on Sept. 21.
Welcome remarks, music and pule begin at 8:45 a.m., then Bishop Eric Matsumoto will lead a minute of silence, honoring all those who have sacrificed for the achievement of peace. At 9:01, bells will ring out from temples, churches, schools, individual homes, and community organizations. The program will be streamed live online via Zoom and Facebook Live.
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 state Legislature in 2007, who enacted House Bill 342, a law making September 21 as Peace Day in Hawaii.
“We came up with the concept last year, since we could not get together for peace day because of public health restrictions. The result — with help from Shooters Productions, KTUH FM and everyone involved—was a very moving and meaningful event,” says event organizer Rene Mansho. ”We had people participating from Japan, Canada, ten different states, Kauai, Maui, O‘ahu and Hawaii Island.”
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. “If we learned anything during this pandemic, it is just how dependent we are on one another. And that interdependence is a foundation of peaceful life. We hope to help people remember that on Peace Day, as we join all together with all our different bells large and small, wherever we are.”
Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to please sign up by email renemansho@hawaii.rr.com, or 808-291-6151. Or visit www.hongwanjihawaii.com.
