Peace Poles: The World Peace Prayer Society

Posted on March 25, 2024 by jrcclark

Peace The World Peace Prayer Society is a non-denominational spiritual movement that traces its roots back to the contemplative thoughts of Masahisa Goi, a Japanese writer greatly inspired by the devastation of World II – especially the mass destruction resulting from the atomic bombs dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Born on November 22, 1916 in Tokyo, Japan, Goi dedicated a great deal of thought and meditation to world violence, war and other destructive aspects of humanity – as well as the related need for international peace and harmony. His devotion to prayer and spirituality led to an understanding that energy emanates from the words, thoughts and intentions of all human beings – and by speaking, acting and living in the essence of prayer, they can foster peace on earth. The result of his thinking and writing has been an earnest worldwide peace movement referred to as May Peace Prevail on Earth.

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A peace pole planted in the John A. Finch Arboretum in Spokane, Washington
Photo credit: User:Carnildo / Foter.com / CC BY

The first steps in fostering the worldwide appeal of Goi’s movement occurred in Ishikawa, Japan, when he began to hold neighborhood gatherings in 1955. Gradually, the appeal of these meetings grew more popular in his native country, which had a very keen interest in the promotion of world peace due to the destructive aftermath of 2 atomic bombs. Stickers and advertisements appeared in stores, promoters handed out literature in various public locations such as train stations, and the use of “peace poles” grew more popular. By 1983, the use of these poles as a medium of expression had taken on international implications – and the planting of these poles throughout the world is known as the Peace Pole Project.

A peace pole is a monument conveying the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” inscribed in the language of the nation where it has been erected – and in 3 or 4 other translations as well. Made from a variety of materials such as granite or wood, the size of these poles can range from very large to small. The text of the message might be carved, engraved or painted – and in some cases it is a longish plastic or metal sign attached to the pole with screws. The custom of planting peace poles has spread throughout the world, even to the point of including “peace pole makers” where a variety of poles can be purchased. Since 1983, it is estimated that over 100,000 peace poles have been placed in 190 countries throughout the world – with the largest perhaps being the 52 foot giant erected in Janesville, Wisconsin as a protest to the KKK. Proponents of the movement are proud to mention that a peace pole has even been placed at the North Pole, and many prominent celebrities, such as Pope John Paul II, have been photographed standing next to one.

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The World Peace Prayer and Flag Ceremony has occurred in every continent and major city of the world.
Photo credit: elinorp / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

Sometimes labeled as a “non-sectarian pacifist organization,” the World Peace Prayer Society (WPPS) has grown even more rapidly in the wake of Mr. Goi’s death in 1983 – at which time leadership of the crusade fell to his adopted daughter, Masami Saionji, who is a descendant of the Royal Rykyu Family of Okinawa. Under her guidance, the society has achieved international notoriety through efforts such as the World Peace Prayer and Flag Ceremony, a global celebration of human compassion and togetherness that has occurred in every continent and major city of the world. In 1990, the World Peace Prayer Society was officially recognized by the United Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), affiliated in such respects through the United Nations Department of Public Information. The function of WPPS within the United Nations is to provide “neutral prayer” that “can serve as a spiritual bridge, even in a secular setting, among people from all parts of the world.” This effort has proven very effective throughout many facets of the UN, including “governments, agencies, departments, NGOs and events.” An official sticker supporting the efforts of the United Nations through the advancement of the “prayer for world peace” received approval for worldwide distribution as part of the UN’s 50th anniversary in 1995. WPPS actively sponsors a World Peace Prayer Ceremony that has been held in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations, sometimes involving more than 2,000 people in an observance at which each member country is called by name, allowed to raise its national flag, and offered a prayer for peace. A peace pole once adorned the lobby of the United Nations for a period of 18 months during the years of 2004 and 2005, when visitors “wrote prayers for peace and placed them inside the pole.” A permanent peace pole is located outside the New York home for the United Nations Environment Program.

We live in an age where images of negative events are telecast daily throughout the world, many times involving hatred, violence, war, and the tragic loss of human lives. Perhaps the most frightening and threatening of these incidents involve acts of radical violence, performed by transnational groups that are intent on promoting a culture of hatred and destruction.  In many respects, the greatest impediment to promoting a culture of peace in the world is the overall image such terrorist acts often bring to the forefront of society. Too often the “war on terror” and a constant emphasis on “security” overshadow the need for promoting a culture of peace, which is the primary mission of the World Peace Prayer Society and the Peace Pole Project. The advocates of this website urge you to plant your own peace pole and stand up against the culture of death encouraged by worldwide terrorist organizations. You can also make a significant impact on world peace by clicking on the link below and signing the petition this website sponsors.

You can help promote the establishment of a monument dedicated to all American victims of terrorism, whether they died at home or abroad, by clicking the link above and signing the petition. Nothing is asked but your signature for a good cause.

 

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Joe Rosenthal and Thomas Franklin: Two Photos with a Patriotic Subject

Posted on February 25, 2024 by jrcclark

Iwo Jima  As the United States and its allies advanced toward the eventual conquest of Japan during World War II, capturing the Pacific island of Iwo Jima stood as a critical aspect of overall strategy. Having conquered the Marianas Islands in the summer of 1944, attention turned to this tiny speck in a huge ocean in February of 1945, due to its airfields and the role it would play in the eventual fall of the Japanese homeland. Heavily fortified and tenaciously defended by the Japanese, it became the scene of a ferocious and bloody battle that took place over a 36-day period of time – extracting heavy casualties on both sides of the story. An estimated 75,000 U. S. military personnel played a role in the successful invasion of Iwo Jima, but at least 7,000 of them lost their lives before the Stars and Stripes were permanently raised over Mount Suribachi, the highest geographical prize of the conflict. The raising of that flag was the subject of a photograph that later won the Pulitzer Prize for Photography, and became the inspiration for the Marine Corps War Memorial that was dedicated in Washington D. C. on November 10, 1954.

joe-rosenthal-raising-the-flag-on-iwo-jima-1945     Taken by Joe Rosenthal on February 23, 1945, the award-winning photo depicts 5 U. S. Marines and 1 sailor struggling to raise the American flag over Mount Suribachi five days into the epic battle. Rosenthal, an Associated Press photographer attached to the Pacific Theater of Operations during the waning months of World War II, snapped the photo at about 1:00 PM using an iconic Speed Graphic Camera, with a lens setting between f/8 to f/11 and a shutter speed at 1/400th of a second. Tragically, three of the Marines captured at that moment by Rosenthal would not survive the Battle of Iwo Jima, whereas the other three later became celebrities and participated in a whirlwind war bond tour that raised over $26 billion. Besides the inspiration it provided for the Marine Corps Memorial, Rosenthal’s photo has also been the subject of a postage stamp –and the actual flag is preserved in the National Museum of the Marine Corps, located in Quantico, Virginia. One of the Marines raising the flag, Ira Hayes, has also been immortalized in a Johnny Cash song entitled The Ballad of Ira Hayes.

Another photographer snapped a similar photograph during another epic battle – thethomas-e-franklin-ground-zero-spirit aftermath of the 911 tragedy in New York City. Entitled Ground Zero Spirit, the photo is the work of Thomas E. Franklin, a photographer for the Bergen Record with well over 20 years of professional photography experience. Taken just hours after the attacks on the World Trade Center, his photo chronicles the efforts of 3 firefighters that were raising the flag above the rubble of Ground Zero. Like Rosenthal’s photo, it became the subject of a postage stamp, raising over $10 million to benefit families and rescue workers of 911. A finalist for a Pulitzer Prize himself, Franklin later met Rosenthal on several occasions. He realized instantly at the time he shot his famous picture of the 911 aftermath that its composition would bear remarkable similarities to the Iwo Jima photo of Rosenthal.

With his photo included in a Clint Eastwood directed movie entitled Letters from Iwo Jima, Rosenthal passed away in his sleep on August 20, 2006. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Public Service Medal by Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter on September 15, 2006. As stated by Secretary Winter, there was no question Rosenthal deserved the distinction:

“For exceptionally distinguished public service in support of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. On February 23, 1945, a bespectacled Mr. Rosenthal made a picture of five U.S. Marines and one U.S. Navy corpsman that immortalized the American Fighting spirit during World War II and became an everlasting symbol of service and sacrifice, transcending art and the ages. Mr. Rosenthal’s poor eyesight prohibited him from serving in the armed services, so, he instead went to war summoning the craft he had practiced since the Great Depression. He bravely accompanied island-hopping forces in the Pacific as a civilian news photographer. On Iwo Jima, Japan, short of breath from climbing the 546-foot volcano, Mr. Rosenthal, in haste, stood on top of shaky rocks in search of the best graphic composition. As the six men hoisted an iron pole and the American flag unfurled in a smart breeze for all to see, Mr. Rosenthal captured the precise moment, unaware, until much later, of its significance. Since that very day, his iconic photo has stood as a testament to the perseverance, esprit and dedication of American Marines. In recognition of his own service and dedication, Mr. Rosenthal is posthumously awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.”

The connection between Rosenthal and Franklin transcends time and 2 different types of war. There is no doubt that the bravery of the Marines and firefighters depicted in the 2 photos are an example to us all, and such individuals should certainly be memorialized and remembered. The photos also serve as a reminder that victims of terrorism are not unlike casualties of war, and they deserve to be commemorated and memorialized through a monument – for the same reason we honor soldiers who die on the battlefield. The video below is an interview with Thomas Franklin concerning his famous photo of September 11, 2001 – but before viewing, please take a brief 5 minutes of your time and sign the petition to which this website is dedicated.

You can help promote the establishment of a monument dedicated to all American victims of terrorism, whether they died at home or abroad, by clicking the link above and signing the petition. Nothing is asked but your signature for a good cause.

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