The Hiroshima Peace Flame burns in harmony with the Olympic flame as we approach the 76th anniversary of the first atomic bomb which fell on humankind. On August 6th, 2021, at 8:15 a.m. in Japan (4:15 p.m. PDT in the USA) the Peace Bell in the Hiroshima Peace Park will ring for one moment of silence in honor of the lives lost not only in Hiroshima but in all wars.
As the Olympic Flame burns, we are reminded that its peaceful spirit lives in all of us and future generations depend on us to engage calmly with each other. And now there are two Flames burning in Japan calling forth the same fervent wish for one unified world. One is for the Olympic games, and one is for the memory of the consequences of war.
In fact, this theme of peace is part of this year’s Olympics focusing on educating Children. A short, animated film “Tomorrow’s Leaves” was released to coincide with the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan which focused on this same aspiration. Commissioned by the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage (OFCH) and produced by the Academy Award-nominated Yoshiaki Nishimura of Studio Ponoc, the animated film provides a fresh perspective on the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect.
As the world watches the international games, we are reminded that the Olympic spirit lives in all of us. According to the International Olympic Committee, the goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play. This is visible in the official Olympic Rings of five interconnected colored rings logo, which symbolizes the vision of one unified world living in harmony.
Fumi Johns Stewart, Executive Director of May Peace Prevail on Earth International, a not-for-profit organization associated with the Department of Public Information at the United Nations states, “The universal message of peace, May Peace Prevail On Earth, was born in Japan after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It has touched the hearts of millions of people the world over. It represents not only the hearts of the people of Japan but of our human family looking for global unity, justice, sustainability and peace.” This Universal Message for World Peace, May Peace Prevail On Earth (MPPOE), was authored in 1955 by the late Masahisa Goi of Japan. In a moment of great inspiration, Masahisa Goi awakened to the need to spread this message in the hearts of the global community for the attainment of inner and outer peace.
To honor and add momentum to a future of Peaceful interactions, Fumi Johns Stewart is urging that the Olympics committee consider participating in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki 76 Global Synchronized Meditation at the exact atomic moment with a minute of silence to hear the ringing of the Peace Bell in the Hiroshima Peace Park in Japan. The Timing of The Exact Atomic Moment – Ringing of the Peace Bell is Japan August 6th 8:15 am/ USA August 5th 4:15 pm Pacific.
Combining the Ringing of the Peace Bell with the 2020 Olympics is more than a symbolic measure. It would help focus humanity as we rebuild our society to hold the value of May Peace Prevail On Earth for all. The attached video contain the voices of children from around the world calling for peace to prevail on earth.
They are offered herein for public use as a call for global peace, as we honor the spirit of the Olympics at this time. They serve as an invitation for all to take a moment to join a worldwide quest for peace on this day of somber observance.
