" Today the world has become a nuclear arsenal. All the peoples of the world are forced to live fearfully as if waiting for the fires to be set. When four billion peoples of the world rise up, raising their hands and their voices for peace under renewed international ethics, insisting that they want no more war, they want not to be killed and never want to kill another, but that they shall live harmoniously with non-violence…,when we can come together in this way we will be able to prevent the disaster by nuclear weapons."
Most Venerable Nichidatsu Fujii Guruji, Founder and Teacher of Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order
We walk from late winter to the first day of spring. As the Earth’s wondrous energies, in harmony with the heavens, prepare for the re-emergence of the life force, we walk to renew our own spirit, committing to the realization of a peaceful society where everyone is supported and contributes to the humanity of our local and world community. Please join us for a mile, a day, or whatever's possible.
Daily Contact Information:
Phone Liaison: 413-253-7609
Websites:
Walk for A New Spring is initiated by:
- Nipponzan Myohoji New England Peace Pagoda
and endorsed by:
Mayors For Peace
"Our goal is to bring forth a beautiful flower, namely the total elimination of all nuclear weapons from the face of the Earth by the year 2020. Only then will we have truly resurrected hope for life on this planet."
Mayor T. Akiba - Mayor of Hiroshima
Begun in 1982 by the Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, Mayors for Peace is a network of over 1550 mayors globally who have committed their cities to stand for the abolition of all nuclear weapons from the Earth by the year 2020. Walk for a New Spring will visit the 19 Massachusetts mayors already part of Mayors for Peace as well as others in Massachusetts and Rhode Island not yet approached. This local and global network can become a great vehicle for the true aspiration of humanity for a nuclear weapons-free world.
More Than A Dream
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr implores us to . . .
“see that peace represents a sweeter music, a cosmic melody that is far superior to the discords of war. Somehow we must transform the dynamics of the world power struggle from the nuclear arms race, which no one can win, to a creative contest to harness man’s genius for the purpose of making peace and prosperity a reality for all the nations of the world. In short, we must shift the arms race into a ‘peace race’. If we have the will and determination to mount such a peace offensive, we will unlock hitherto tightly sealed doors of hope and bring new light into the dark chambers of pessimism.”
We walk to help nurture the seeds already sown in communities for the transformation of violence today. May the cynicism of despair be changed to hope and a belief that we can attain a brighter, happier and healthy life for us all.
From Faith Communities to city and town governments, from schools to unions, from all corners across ethnic/racial and income lines, a fresh and undeniable wind is arising from the depths of people's spirits.
"No" to the war against Iraq,
"No" to racial discrimination and suppression of domestic civil rights, and
"Yes" to the awakening of a new vision of peace and justice, of restoration of trust and genuine sharing among peoples and nations.
We walk at this time, through the last days of Winter until the first day of Spring as a prayer that the ardent wish for peace embedded in our hearts may arise singly and together at this most crucial time.As the earth and heavens move into Spring, may we open to a rebirth within our hearts of the belief in the sacredness of life and the preciousness and nobility of every human being alive today.
Most Venerable Nichidatsu Fujii, Founder of Nipponzan Myohoji