2013 Grafton Peace Walk

 

This was my second year doing the Grafton Peace Walk.

As always the walk held much significance, and even though we were a little behind we were able to make a difference in the local biosphere.

Along the way were were touched by dragonfly (literally), salamander, bat, deer, and opossum medicine.

We were able to aid a few salamanders migrate across the road to the main wetlands.

Once at the temple and pagoda, we were able to catch the night’s programme with Hattie Nestel from the Citizens Awareness Network.

Once Hattie was finished we were all led my lantern light to walk around the pagoda offering our own personal prayers to the land, sea, and sky.

We were able to stay for the Interfaith Prayers for Peace, which is always beautiful. It was a wonderful experience where Jew, Christian, Muslim, and Native American Prayers were heard together in earnest strength and friendship.

Following the prayers we were fortunate to hear Bruce Gagnon from Global Net: Keep Space For Peace.

Due to the cold and time, we decided to go, but I feel honoured to have experienced as much as I did. It was even more meaningful to share the experience with my ailing mother. Next year, I am hoping to gather a larger group to go feel the amazing presence that is created there at the pagoda.

Namaste.

The rest of the programme was as follows:

·         Hiroshima Taiko, Mountain River Taiko

·         Robert & Susan – Gillian’s Island, Songs of Peace

My Life Is My Message

(c) Snapped by Derek
Grafton Peace Pagoda, Petersburgh, NY

Calling all Beautiful Beings!

Please join me this weekend…

I will be pilgrimaging to the Grafton Peace Pagoda this Saturday to show my solidarity in my belief that we more than ever before need to stand for a non-nuclear attitude in this world. That peace and ahimsa (sacred act of non-violence) are vital for not only our survival, but for ALL BEINGS, and the Earth itself. Mother Earth, or as my friend Joanna likes to call her “Mamma Gaia,” is an entity unto herself. She is powerful, she is strong, but we as humans have enormous amounts of influence over her waters, lands, and airs. We pollute her, we defile her, and we show no honour to future generations with our present day-to-day actions. As a whole, we must make a stand and truly stand up for what is just, and true, and for what is clean and fresh and green.

When I first discovered the Peace Pagoda in Grafton with my friends, I fell in love with its spirit.

There are only TWO in the entire country, and only 80 world-wide.

Out in the middle of the woods there is this structure, this symbol, of universal non-violence that is just so beautiful & breath-taking!

Join me and so many others on this truly fabulous evening. Car-pooling will make it all the more special!

Affirmation: “My Life is my Message, and my Message is my Life.”

67th Commemoration Ceremony of Hiroshima-Nagasaki

Grafton Peace Pagoda
Saturday August 11th, 2012

Nuclear Free Future
First Commemoration of Fukushima

6:45pm Walk from Grafton Town Square to Peace Pagoda (4.3 miles)

8:30 Program of Peace

John Armbruster-Seismologist, Columbia University Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Cecile Pineda – Author of Devil’s Tango: How I learned the Fukushima Step by Step

The astonishing anatomy of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster

Ceremonial Lighting of Lanterns

Interfaith Peace Prayers Native American Prayers

Eric Marczak  – Native American Flute

Rain or shine. Please wear weather-appropriate clothes and bring a flashlight and insect repellent. You may also wish to bring a blanket.

For information on the ceremony prior to the event please call Heidi at (518)588.7122

Grafton Peace Pagoda  87 Crandall Road  Petersburg, NY 12138 (518)658.9301

Namaste.