(Editor’s note: The following is a submission to The Recorder’s weekly column titled “Faith Matters.” Each Saturday, a different faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal religious perspective in this space. For information on becoming part of this series, email religion@recorder.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 265.)
By SISTER CLARE CARTER
New England Peace Pagoda
LEVERETT — “Welcome to the New England Peace Pagoda. This is the first Peace Pagoda to arise in North America. Inaugurated in 1985, it is a visible form of prayer for inseparable peace in the world and peace in the minds of all humanity….” These words open the welcome message to all visitors on the sign in the parking lot.
The beautiful Peace Pagoda which sits atop the hill in Leverett was built entirely by volunteer labor, both skilled and unskilled. Over 1,000 people of diverse backgrounds came together to build a Pagoda for World Peace from March of 1984 to October of 1985. We can still remember 4-year-old children sifting sand for small batches of concrete amidst a wonderful array of carpenters, masons and other workers — all the diverse energies being cohered by the common aspiration to manifest something for peace. This wondrous coming together of energies was at a time of tremendous tension in the global community about the nuclear arms race, and the potential that nuclear weapons might actually be used again, causing a holocaust of the whole earth.
The profound intention to build Pagodas for Peace came from the Founder and Teacher of our Buddhist Order originating in Japan, Most Venerable Nichidatsu Fujii (1885-1985). The building of Pagodas (called Stupas in Sanskrit) dates back to the time of the Buddha, approximately 2,600 years ago. Every place where Buddhism has moved, the practice of building Stupas has arisen. The first Stupas were erected immediately after the end of Buddha’s physical existence. Followers built large, hemispherical structures to devoutly enshrine Buddha’s holy relics. People circumambulated the completed Stupas to wholeheartedly revere and remember incomparable accomplishment of the Buddha in attaining unsurpassed Enlightenment through the practice of the Bodhisattva way. This is the same goal to which the Buddha unreservedly encourages all humanity. All visitors to the Peace Pagoda are welcome to circumambulate the Pagoda (traditionally, clockwise) with their own aspiration for inner and outer peace.
Most Ven. Fujii saw the horrors of World War II on all sides, including the results of the nuclear bombing of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He spent time contemplating what to do after World War II ended. Concerned that the global civilization was becoming ever more materialistic and dominated by the horrifying destructive power of nuclear and other modern weapons, he believed that the time had come to build Peace Pagodas around the world as beacons for peace and harmony. He believed the presence of Pagodas on the earth would help to awaken an understanding of the spiritual foundation and purpose of humanity’s existence. This re-awakening is an opportunity for all religions to come together to share the highest and purest teachings of their faith in order to give the best guidance to humanity today, individually and collectively.
If you come in the Temple to witness or join in the prayer, you will hear the beating of a large drum, along with hand-held drums, accompanying the chanting aloud of the prayer, “Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo.” We chant this prayer for the peace of the entire world, and peace within the depths of our own heart. Beyond translation, this prayer is a medicine from the Buddha, containing all the inconceivable compassion and wisdom of the Buddha, especially to heal our spirit and nurture our humanity in this perilous and difficult time.
Most Ven. Fujii said, “Civilization is not about installing electric lights, having airplanes, or producing nuclear weapons. What defines civilization in its entirety? It is about people holding one another in mutual affection and respect. There is nothing else that defines a viable human civilization. The foundation for these conditions in our communal life is not found in laws or institution, but in spiritual faith that nurtures tenderness and integrity in our hearts.”
Everyone is invited to join or support in some way. We are always looking for help from volunteers: construction, cooking, gardening and more. If you have interest and some time, we have projects which will flourish with your help!