CounterPunch Exclusives

CounterPunch Exclusives

Photo supplied courtesy of Kathy Kelly.

On May 23rd, in Poulsbo, WA, hundreds of people joined several dozen pacifist Buddhist monks from the Japanese-based Nipponzan Myohoji religious order to install a Peace Pagoda immediately adjacent to the Kitsap Bangor U.S. naval base. An estimated 1,700 Trident nuclear weapons housed at the base have an annihilatory capacity unimaginably more terrible than the destruction and suffering the U.S. inflicted on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945.

The foundational mission of the Nipponzan Myohoji monks calls on them to engage in worldwide pilgrimages urging the abolition of nuclear weapons. They have been acutely conscious of the need to reach U.S. people.

Forty years ago, construction of this peace pagoda began on property owned by the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, a community devoted to abolishing nuclear weapons and war. Tragically, arsonists burned the initial pagoda structure to the ground. This weekend, celebrants signaled their gratitude and relief following four decades of effort to overcome hurdles that delayed completion of the peace pagoda.

During an outdoor celebration, the monks chanted, drummed, and prayed as they sat before the gleaming white stupa, colorfully festooned with prayer flags.

The peace pagoda represents readiness to fulfill Buddha’s call to love others, even enemies. By seeking release from attachments to anger or fear, followers of the Buddha aim to alleviate suffering in the world.

Since 1917, members of the Nipponzan Myohoji order, following the Buddha’s example,........

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