Hongwanji celebrates Peace Day throughout the Islands

Honpa Hongwanji temples throughout Hawaii are celebrating and preparing to celebrate Peace Day 2019.

September 21 is both the UN-designated International Day of Peace and Peace Day Hawaii. In 2007, it was youth from Honpa Hongwanji’s Junior Young Buddhist Associations who first promoted the idea of Peace Day Hawaii, officially established that year by Act 23 “to promote peace programs, improve international relations, and increase educational awareness of peace….”

Here are some of the many Peace Day activities that Hongwanji is organizing or participating in.

Big Island

Honokaa Peace Parade crane bannerParade & Festival in Honoka’a for the United Nations International Day of Peace, produced by the Peace Committee of Honoka‘a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Related events include Blue Zones “Wine at 5,” Read for Peace at the Honoka’a Public Library, and a “Day of Mindfulness” at the Honoka‘a Hongwanji Social Hall with Gregory Pai, PhD, Meditation Teacher at Broken Ridge Korean Temple, Oahu. Complete information is available at PeaceDayParade.org.

At Puna Hongwanji, on Friday, September 20, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. there will be a Peaceful Twilight Gathering in the Social Hall. Participants will spread the sound of Peace with music and short messages. Sunday, September 22, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. will be the Puna Hongwanji Autumn Ohigan and Peace Day Sunday Service. The guest speaker will be Rev. Bert Sumikawa. Complete information is available at PunaHongwanji.org.

Maui

Hongwanji Buddhist Temples of Maui are celebrating Peace Day 2019 through reflection, meditation, and folding of origami cranes, a symbol of the universal human aspiration for peace and harmony for all people and all forms of life. Saturday morning September 21 at Makawao Buddhist Temple is a Walk in Peace event with a Buddhist service, walking meditation, peace activities, and vegan refreshments. Afternoon Peace Day activities continue at the Makawao Public Library. Complete information is available on the Makawao Hongwanji Facebook page (Facebook account not required to view).

Temples throughout Maui will feature displays of origami cranes and Peace Day banners. See the coverage in MauiNews.com featuring the painting of cranes at Kahului Hongwanji.

Kauai

Lihue Hongwanji Peace Day flyer 2019The Lihue Hongwanji Women’s Association invites the public to a candlelight vigil at Lihue Hongwanji Mission, 7 p.m. on the lawn. A screening of the “Peace on Your Wings” musical movie, inspired by Sadako Sasaki. More information is available on the Lihue Hongwanji website.

Honolulu

Peace Day at VegFest 2019 - image of Peace Day banner and VegFest Oahu logo over pictures from past VegFestsPeace Day at VegFest Oahu! The 4th Annual VegFest Oahu, “a celebration of plant-based, sustainable living,” falls on International Peace Day / Peace Day Hawaii, Saturday, September 21. Hongwanji will have a Peace Day Lounge tent featuring peace-related displays and activities and a place to talk story. The event is held at the the Frank Fasi Civic Grounds near Honolulu Hale.

Scheduled activities include a sing-along at 12:30 p.m., a visit by Living Treasure of Hawaii Sooriya Kumar at 2 p.m. to discuss the Whale for World Peace project, and Bishop Eric Matsumoto and the Hawaii Betsuin Choir celebrating Peace Day from the VegFest Oahu music stage at 3:25 p.m. For more information, please see:

See Also
Bishop Eric Matsumoto’s Peace Day Message 2019