The light rain that fell over the 27th annual Hiroshima Commemoration and Peace Service was like a blessing from the heavens. The service, which commemorated the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, was held on Aug. 6 at the replica of the Hiroshima Peace Bell, located just outside of the Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii in the Kukui area of downtown Honolulu.
Bishop Daiya Amano of the Izumo Taisha Shinto shrine conducted a purification and blessing ceremony, which was explained to the audience by his assistant, the Rev. Jun Miyasaka.
The Rev. Takamasa Yamamura of the Honolulu Myohoji Mission, who normally sings “Ave Maria,” read a poem this year.
Bishop Eric Matsumoto of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii offered a Buddhist message, with Dr. Kahu Kaleo Patterson, president of the Pacific Justice & Reconciliation Center, offering a Christian message.
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