Na-Mu-Myo-Ho-Ren-Ge-Kyo October 2020 27th Anniversary Grafton Peace Pagoda 25th Anniversary of the Main Temple 151st Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday "Mahatma left his hands from spinning wheel and said Namaste. He saw us penetratively beyond his glass with his eyes moistening. Mahatma "Stranger whom I could not speak a single word;" Simple twenty minutes meeting ; I was happy; I was sad. I only shed my tears. Whether this encounter was promised in my previous life or is he my true messenger?" --An excerpt from "The Wardha Diary" - Nichidatsu Fujii’s first encounter with Mahatma Gandhi on 4th October, 1933. The 27th Year Anniversary of Grafton Peace Pagoda in Petersburg NY celebrates the meeting with Mahatma Gandhi "Father of Nation" and Most Venerable Nichidatsu Fujii Gurujii Precceptor of Niopponzan Myojoji in Wardha. It is a strange time in our lives as we live through Covid-19 with social distance and minimal contact to celebrate this Anniversary. The gathering of Community that hold us together from many places, interfaith / spiritual practices, and livelihood give reason for Peace and Justice. We share our prayers and intentions to further strengthen our human connection to fight racism, inequality, and shed light to history falsely written and accepted as truth. With volunteer support and Love, Grafton Peace Pagoda continue to be a place for Prayer, Meditation and Non-Violence as we strive for a Nuclear Free Future drumming and chanting Na-Mu-Myo-Ho-Ren-Ge-Kyo through Peace Walks connecting local communities to be the change. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 situation, the Grafton Peace Pagoda was not able to offer a public commemoration remembering these events this year. We did have a wonderful ceremony of remembrance that we would love to share with you. Here are the selected photos and video link from this Sunday's Anniversary celebration: We also offer you a selection of photos from this event, which you can view by clicking here. Nipponzan Myohoji Grafton Peace Pagoda 87 Crandall Road Petersburgh, NY 12138 Telephone: 518-658-9301 Read More...

Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day 75th Commemoration Ceremony Na-Mu-Myo-Ho-Ren-Ge-Kyo On August 6^th 2020 we remember the 75^th Anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, while August 9^th was the day Nagasaki was also bombed.  Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19, the Grafton Peace Pagoda was not able to offer a public commemoration remembering these tragic events this year.  This is the first time in Peace Pagoda’s history that we have had a closed ceremony.  But we did have a wonderful ceremony of remembrance that we would love to share with you.  You can watch the video recording of the ceremony here: Read More...

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74th Commemoration Ceremony Grafton Peace Pagoda Saturday, August 3, 2019 Forever Renounce War. Create a Nuclear-Free World. Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo

One is called to live nonviolently, even if the change one works for seems impossible. -Daniel Beggigan, Catholic Priest and Peace Activist

6:30pm walk from Grafton Town Square to Peace Pagoda (4.3 miles) This walk is the last leg of the Walk for a Nuclear Free Future (click here for more info) 8:00pm Program of Peace

• Speakers/Poem Reading
• Ceremonial Lighting of Lanterns
• Interfaith Prayer
• Musical Offerings

Rain or shine. Please wear weather-appropriate clothes and bring a flashlight, insect repellant, and blanket for comfort. Contact Grafton Peace Pagoda between 8 am and 5 pm for more information Phone: 518-658-9301 (no email) Read More...

Grafton Peace Pagoda Flower Festival Celebrating the Birth of the Buddha Saturday June 1, 2019 at 11:00AM Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo   Traditional Buddhist Ceremony Ecumenical Prayer with special guest from Iran, Elahe Golpari (Zoroastriani) Speaker Amy Juan, Tohona O’odham Tribe, and International Indian Treaty Council to talk about the situation at the Mexican Border Music Eric Marczak, Native American Flute Dance Burma’s Spring Dance by Kokoh, Pawkuei friend A simple pot latch (Native American traditional celebration feast) will follow the ceremony. Please consider bringing your own dished and utensils to cut down on the wasteful use of disposables and to step away from consumerism. We also welcome your contribution of home-made, healthy food prepared with the intention of honoring each other and the earth. Nipponzan Myohoji, Grafton Peace Pagoda 87 Crandall Rd, Petersburgh, NY 12138 For information call (518)658-9301 Between 8am and 5pm Read More...

Grafton Peace Pagoda 25th Anniversary Ceremony Saturday October 6, 2018, 11:00am

If one wishes for peace for oneself, first pray for peace for the 4 directions, the entire world. All humans are facing extinction as each nation is concerned only for its own security. In order for humanity to survive we must abolish militarization and war. World peace and personal peace are inextricably linked and the Buddha Dharma of Ahinsa (non-violence) is the way to achieve both. – Nichidatsu Fuji

All Are Warmly Welcome Buddhist Ceremony Interfaith Prayers for Peace Keynote Speaker: Martha Hennesey, Granddaughter of Dorothy Day, Kings Bay Plowshares Commemorate Dennis Banks’ One Year Memorial Tashina Banks Rama, Daughter of Dennis Banks, Lakota Ojibwe Taiko Drumming- Japanese Festival Drum Please join us for potluck community meal following the ceremony. Please bring your favorite foods. It may be cold so please bring warm clothes and a blanket. Please arrive before 11:00 to park and walk to ceremony site. For more information please call the Peace Pagoda between 7am and 4:30pm at (518) 658-9301. Nippozan Myohoji-Grafton Peace Pagoda, 87 Crandall Rd Petersburg, NY 12138 Read More...

Hiroshima Nagasaki Day - 73rd Commemoration Ceremony Grafton Peace Pagoda Saturday August 11, 2018

Forever Renounce War - Create a Nuclear Free World Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo

6:30 PM walk from Grafton Town Square to Peace Pagoda (4.3 miles)

8:00 PM Program of Peace: Speakers/Poem Reading Ceremonial Lighting of Lanterns Interfaith Prayer Musical Offerings

Rain or shine. Please wear weather-appropriate clothes and bring a flashlight and insect repellant. You may also want a blanket

Contact Grafton Peace Pagoda for more info Phone: (518) 658-9301; Address: 87 Crandall Rd, Petersburg, NY 12138

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Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo Thank you to everyone who attended the Grafton Peace Pagoda annual Flower Festival on Saturday April 28th in commemoration of the Buddha's birthday. Chief Perry of the Ramapough Lenape Nation attended, as well as other guest speakers and performers. Chief Perry talked about non-violence and the Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp. Take a look a photos from the day taken by photographer George Cho                                       Read More...

On Saturday, February 3rd, 2018 at 11am, the Grafton Peace Pagoda will be holding a 100 Days Commemoration of Dennis Banks. Dennis Banks' son Minoh will be attending. Everyone is welcome to pray with us. On Oct. 29th, 2017, Dennis Banks, beloved friend of Jun-san Yasuda and the Grafton Peace Pagoda, a renowned Anishanabe activist, teacher and writer, died at the age of 80. He was surrounded in song by his children and grandchildren. Also, save the date for the 25th Anniversary of the Grafton Peace Pagoda, which will also be the 1 Year Commemoration of Dennis Banks on October 6 or 7, 2018. We honor the life of this beloved friend with this video memory: Read More...

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