by Mitsutake Ikeda
In a historic moment for South India, the region’s first Peace Pagoda was officially inaugurated on February 21, 2025, on a serene site near Sankarankovil. The ceremony marked the culmination of a remarkable Peace March that began ten days earlier at the Gandhi Museum in Madurai.
Conceived by Bhikkhu Masao Ishitani, the peace march brought together approximately 70 participants spanning diverse ages, nationalities, and backgrounds—from a 22-year-old American filmmaker to a 76-year-old Indian yoga practitioner. The procession was guided by the rhythmic drumbeats of Bhikkhu Gyoshu Sasamori, who traveled from the Warsaw Dojo specifically for this occasion.
The marchers journeyed through Tamil Nadu, offering chants and prayer drum beats as they traversed along the eastern slopes of the Sahyadri mountain range. Their destination was the newly constructed Peace Pagoda, nestled at the foothills of the Western Ghats, northwest of Sankarankovil.
The inauguration ceremony commenced with the arrival of these peace walkers, who proceeded through a corridor of international visitors who had gathered to witness this significant and solemn celebration.
The ceremony drew a truly global audience, with attendees from local communities and various regions of India alongside representatives from Canada, Cambodia, Colombia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Adding to the event’s international significance, congratulatory messages were delivered by several prominent organizations, including the Moscow Buddhist Society, Gandhi Foundation UK, the Diocese of Westminster, and St. Edward Cathedral of the Church of England.
Distinguished dignitaries offered moving addresses during the ceremony. His Excellency Ganbold Dambajav, Mongolia’s Ambassador to India, expressed his hope that this symbol of harmony would extend to Mongolia—a strategically important region in East Asia—inspiring the construction of a Peace Pagoda there as well.
Mr. Sonam Wangchuk Shakuspo, Deputy Secretary General of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace, paid tribute to the enduring friendship between his master, Bhikkhu Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, and Fujii Guruji, commending Guruji’s disciples for their continued commitment to nonviolent pacifism.
In a particularly poignant moment, 99-year-old Ms. Krishna Ammal, founder of Gandhigram, drew parallels between Bhikkhu Ishitani’s steadfast dedication and Mahatma Gandhi’s indomitable spirit, expressing profound respect for the Buddhist monk’s unwavering practice.
Father Enrique Figaredo, the Jesuit Apostolic Prefect of Battambang from Cambodia, offered a universal message of peace through both Buddhist prayers from Cambodia and the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. He voiced his heartfelt wish that the Sankarankovil Peace Pagoda would endure as a radiant symbol of peace and harmony for generations to come.
Speaking on behalf of the lay community, Mr. Makoto Masui highlighted the profound importance of the Tamil Nadu mission, which had been envisioned by Fujii Guruji just three months before his passing. He elaborated on how the establishment of the Sankarankovil Peace Pagoda contributes to fostering peace throughout the greater Tamil region, extending even beyond maritime boundaries.
In a moving acknowledgment, Bhikkhu Ishitani expressed deep gratitude to all participants who had gathered in pursuit of peace, transcending differences in ethnicity and religion. He declared that this diverse assembly itself fulfilled Fujii Guruji’s prophecy that “Peace Pagodas and the sacred prayer Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo will become the unifying point of religions.”
The ceremony reached its culmination with closing remarks delivered by Mr. Nanda Rao, Secretary of the Madurai Gandhi Museum. Speaking in Tamil, with translation to Japanese provided by Bhikkhuni Chigusa Kimura, he proclaimed: “This Peace Pagoda is the greatest gift Bhikkhu Ishitani has given to the people of Tamil Nadu, and we Tamil people will eternally engrave our gratitude to him in our hearts.”
As his words resonated through the gathering, spontaneous cheers and applause erupted, carried by a refreshing breeze that gently swayed the white and gold decorative cloths adorning the coconut leaf screens of the shade structure. The jubilant sounds seemed to race from the altar upward to the Peace Pagoda itself, creating a moment of profound unity and celebration.
This auspicious occasion provided a deeply meaningful opportunity to witness the fulfillment of the mission envisioned by Fujii Guruji, inspiring heartfelt gratitude and contemplation of the enduring power of peace.
About the Author:
Mitsutake Ikeda completed a bachelor’s degree in International and Area Studies at the University of California, Berkeley in 2007, and a Master of Arts in Translation Studies at the University of Coimbra in 2017. He is a collaborator member of Unidade de Investigação & Desenvolvimento “Instituto de Estudos Filosóficos” (IEF) and a PhD student in Philosophy at the University of Coimbra.
Photos credited to Hou Sheng Tai.
