Bishop Eric Matsumoto of the Buddhist Temples of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii in a Sept. 7 letter asked Bishop Larry Silva to invite Catholic parishes to ring their bells for Peace Day 2020, Sept. 21.
The bell tolling is the main feature of the “Ring Your Bell for Peace Day” Zoom event sponsored by Honpa Hongwanji.
“Because it is such a challenging time with so much happening in our nation and around the world, I thought we need to reach out even more to each other,” the Buddhist bishop told Bishop Silva. “More than ever, it is essential that we let mutual understanding, respect and appreciation guide us. Thus, I would like to ask for your blessing.”
The observance opens at 11:30 a.m. The program begins at 11:45 a.m. with the blowing of the conch shell, a prayer, a hymn and an invocation and remarks by Bishop Matsumoto, followed by the song “Peace on Your Wings.”
At noon, one minute of silence will be observed to honor “all those who sacrificed to achieve peace.” The bells ring at 12:01 p.m. for five minutes. The event closes at 12:06 p.m. with the song, “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” a benediction and an oli, or Hawaiian chant.
To participate from one’s temple, church, school, home or favorite place, all you need is a bell to ring, and a cellphone, computer or another device to connect online via Zoom.
Register in advance at hongwanjihawaii.com/peaceday2020. Or contact peace committee chairwoman Rene Mansho, 291-6151, or renemansho@hawaii.rr.com. You will receive a link for the Zoom event, and simple instructions on how to set up.
Peace Day in Hawaii, Sept. 21, was established by state law in 2007 as a day “to promote peace programs, improve international relations, and increase educational awareness of peace.” Hawaii was the first state to join more than 200 countries in celebrating the United Nations International Day of Peace and Non-Violence, which was established in 1981.
“If we can get your blessing as the bishop,” Bishop Matsumoto wrote Bishop Silva, “I believe, it will be more encouraging for your churches to participate in this endeavor to nurture peace in our hearts and minds, society and the world.”
