This year as well, the exhibition of the popular White Lotus was held at Ikegami Hongyouji Temple.

The two folding screen works are illuminated by the transformative black light,

and move in harmonious resonance to the rhythm of the sutra. The white lotus turns pink and then green, drawing viewers into a mysterious and fantastical world.

After the memorial service, Chief Priest Nakano of Hongyoji Temple gave the following speech.

At a time when the horror and desolation of war seems to be intensifying rather than subsiding, Buddhism’s strong advocation of peace seems to be needed more than ever.  Hopefully we can spread this message by supporting Shiozawa in bringing Japan’s widespread Buddhism back to India, and eventually, the world.

Today, Ms. Takase, director of the Japan Uwajima branch of the Global Communications Bureau of the United Nations Association of Japan, came to see the paintings. She runs the United Nations Peace Bell guard.

Shiozawa seriously proposed to her the idea of making a new bell by melting down discarded tanks, weapons, and coins for the Word’s Fair in Osaka, and she strongly agreed with the idea.

This is because there is a sad history in Japan where a large number of temple bells were confiscated from temples and turned into weapons.

Drawing from the tragedy of war in Japanese history, we thought deeply about what we need to do as strong advocates of peace, to demonstrate this and thereby share our message of peace with the world.