Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki - 70th Anniversary

By Fumi Johns Stewart

Why did my fatherland drop the atomic bomb on my motherland? As a bi-cultural child growing up in post war Japan my heart was often troubled. The incidents of August 6th in Hiroshima and August 9th in Nagasaki are forever carved in my heart as well as the hearts of humanity.  It set into motion an immense explosive force which has changed the world forever.

I have met and spoken to many Hibakushas, atomic bomb survivors in my life and none of them have ever expressed blame or resentment toward the United States. Instead, they focus their hearts on one simple and powerful sentiment: We must make sure this never happens again. The Hibakushas are real role models for reconciliation, forgiveness and healing. From the ashes of suffering was born the true spirit of forgiveness and love for humanity. Henceforth, Japan has an important mission to spread the spirit of global peace. One such mission is expressed through the universal message of peace, May Peace Prevail On Earth, authored by the late Masahisa Goi, founder of The World Peace Prayer Society, who certainly believed in the well quoted saying: “A sincere prayer is stronger than an atomic bomb.”

I am a true optimist who believes in the highest potential of the divine spark which resides within the human heart. Even in the midst of so much disharmony and suffering in the world, we have consciously evolved through time and space. The words, thoughts and actions which flow forth from the divine source possess an immense explosive quantum force strong enough to transmute all matter into the higher, refined, sublime energy force of love, goodness and harmony. Powerful enough to shift the laws of “cause and effect” to that of “effect and cause”. Powerful enough to create the Culture of Peace we are all working to achieve.

This year the world remembers the 70th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bombs. Three generations have been born since then. My hope is to keep the memories alive, not as a remembrance of suffering and atrocity but of infinite hope and light which resides within the divine spark of humankind.  

AN INVITATION

We will be hosting a global webcast and web conference on August 6th from the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park along with our partners and supporting organizations. We invite you all to join us in keeping the flame of hope, forgiveness and love alive for the awakening of the true divine spark within humanity.

You can learn more about the broadcast by visiting our website -- click here. If you like more event details and to be placed on our mailing list, please email us by clicking here.  
 

Fumi Johns Stewart is Executive Director of The World Peace Prayer Society promoting MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH activities worldwide. Originally based in Japan, she was instrumental in introducing this peace movement to the world in the early 1980’s. She initiated The Peace Pole Project in the US and opened the Society headquarters in New York. Fumi also serves as US representative of the Mt. Fuji Sanctuary and the Goi Peace Foundation in Japan. She currently lives in San Francisco and travels extensively to spread the message of peace. www.worldpeace.org