Let there be peace: Hundreds of bells to ring for peace with special guest Jake Shimabukuro
Across cultures and centuries, bells have called people to church, children to school, store clerks to counters, and spirits to quiet attention. At 9 a.m. Wednesday, hundreds of bells from Hawaii and around the world will ring in celebration of Peace Day. A special appearance by ‘ukulele master and peace ambassador Jake Shimabukuro highlights the event.
Ring Your Bell for Peace Day was created in 2020 as a type of joyful gathering online, via Zoom and Facebook Live, to compensate for public health restrictions. Last year’s event engaged some 1,700 bell-ringers from the Continent, Canada and Japan. This year, Ukraine will be included — as Honoka‘a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple has been assisting five Ukrainian families, one of whom recently moved to Hilo.
Anyone, anywhere is eagerly invited to join in, as a group or individual. Register at bit.ly/PeaceDay2022. All that’s needed is a phone or computer, and a bell. Past events have included a chorus of bells of all sizes, from tiny jingle bells to Tibetan meditation bowls, giant temple bells, and even water glasses. As they ring together, the sounds almost becomes harmonic, happy, and soothing.
Opening Ceremony includes the pu (conch shell), and oli, “chant,” presented by Saint Louis School, a Muslim Invocation, begin at 8:30 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 for five minutes. Interfaith participation is very special as the event closes with Benediction by Temple Emanuel.
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 Associations, who presented a resolution to the state Legislature in 2007, which enacted House Bill 342, a law making Setp. 21 Peace Day in Hawaii.
Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to sign up by email to renemansho@hawaii.rr.com or by calling (808) 291-6151. Or visit bit.ly/PeaceDay2022.
