Articles - Miscellaneous

Hiroshima Day Remembered

There has usually been an event in Leeds marking Hiroshima Day on 6th August but I was totally unable to locate anything similar in Oxford, where I happened to be at the time. Mentioning this to Megumi, a Buddhist friend, she told me of the annual commemorative service in Coventry Cathedral and invited me to accompany her. It was organized by Canon Andrew White, Co-Director of their International Ministry, of world-wide renown.

So it was that I was able to share in this Act of Reconciliation in this very atmospheric setting amid the bombed-out ruins of Coventry Cathedral. Church and civic dignitaries mingled with ageing and frail veterans of the World War II conflict. Many were Kimono-clad and come each year from Japan for this pilgrimage of peace, reconciling former differences.

The Bishop welcomed everyone and the Ambassador of Japan gave an impressive address, followed by the Beatitudes read in both English and Japanese. Somehow, the poetry and lyricism of the passage sounded even more poetic and lyrical in Japanese. I wonder if Ikuko would agree? (Incidentally I understand that Ikuko would have participated in the Service if she had been in the UK at the time.) Then there was a reading from the Buddhist scriptures, followed by the Intercessions. These were especially poignant against the current background of atrocities, death and destruction in Iraq and other conflict zones.

There was the ceremonial laying of wreaths against the Reconciliation Statue by the Lord Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor and the Ambassador, followed by a victim of torture and prison camp, marching in step, side by side with a former captor, placing their wreaths simultaneously, and after a reverential silence, embracing. The atmosphere was palpable and few could hold back the tears. There was real fervour in the exchange of the peace. Nothing perfunctory there.

Together we recited the Coventry Litany of Reconciliation beginning,
"The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class, Father, Forgive."

The Bishop pronounced the final blessing and we all met over tea in the Chapter House, followed by Evensong in the grandeur of the modern Cathedral.

It was a most moving and spiritually uplifting event and I felt deeply privileged to have had the opportunity to attend.

Joyce Sundram

2 November, 2004