peace pagoda - Kathryn Keve

West Coast
PEACE PAGODA
A Vision and Commitment
for World Peace
Bainbridge Island, WA
Battersea Park on the Thames
“Peace Pagodas act as a beacon
reminding us that we have choices
about how to live, that we can slow down,
trust one another, and practice generosity.”
—The Most Venerable Nichidatsu Fuji
For more information, contact:
N I P P O N Z A N
M Y O H O J I
D O J O
6154 Lynwood Center Road, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
206.780.6739 • 206.419.7262 • 206.724.7632
Br. Senji Kanaeda: senji@nipponzan.net
Br. Gilberto Perez: gzperez@juno.com
N I P P O N Z A N
M Y O H O J I
D O J O
6154 Lynwood Center Road, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 • 206.780.6739 • 206.419.7262
Br. Senji Kanaeda: senji@nipponzan.net • Br. Gilberto Perez: gzperez@juno.com
Nepal
London Peace Pagoda, Battersea Park on the Thames
DESIGN AND LOCATION ISSUES
The Peace Pagoda with its garden setting fits well with the goals of the City Comprehensive Plan along with
our community commitment to value the arts and humanities, to enhance quality of life and broaden mind
and spirit of our citizens and visitors. It will be an asset to the Island for generations to come, similar to the
Bloedel Reserve and our many parks which are natural retreats of beauty and serenity.
Peace Pagodas are typically located at prominent sites...on the Thames in London, on the Danube in Vienna,
in public parks in Tokyo and New Delhi. There are two completed in the United States located in Grafton,
NY (near Albany) and Leverett, MA. The long-term challenge has been to find a suitable location for the
West Coast Peace Pagoda. Our plans are underway for a site on private land…the old Stranne Farm property
between Hidden Cove Road and Seabold Methodist Church, adjacent to Highway 305.
The Peace Pagoda design includes a base walkway that encircles the stupa, a domed structure, ornate
wood-carving under the tile roof, and extending above is a sorin (a finial which serves as a lightning rod
which also has design significance). The base and dome will be made from reinforced concrete. The site plan
will include Japanese-style garden landscaping while retaining some of the natural landscape.
At 44-feet in total height, this pagoda is much smaller than most which are typically 100-feet high. The wood
carving will be done by artisans in Japan using a traditional medieval design. The pagodas are not designed
for people to enter; they are comparable to a totem pole and contain sacred relics. They serve as inspiritional
and artistic testimonials for peace just as the Statue of Liberty inspires ideals of freedom.
Respectfully,
Br. Senji Kanaeda and Br. Gilberto Perez,
and Board Members: Kathryn Keve, Chisao Hata, Cynthia Anderson
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Milton Keynes, England
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Kyoto
London, Battersea Park, on the Thames
Tokyo
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Tokyo-Interior
Finial (sōrin)
Like all Japanese pagodas, the
tahōtō is topped by a vertical
spire known as the sōrin.
The sōrin is a lightning rod and
is also used to display flags
during ceremonies. It is necessary to protect the beautifully
carved wood below the roof.
In keeping with Japanese stupa
design traditions, it consists of a
base or ‘dew basin’; an inverted
bowl with attached lotus petals;
nine rings; ‘water flame’; and
jewel.
Above: Closeup of Spire (Sorin)/Lightning Rod
Below: Sri Lanka. The sorin is also used to attach flags
on ceremonial occasions.
North of Hidden Cove & Highway 305 (Stranne Road Property)
Peace Pagoda, Leverett, MA
Inauguration Addresses were made by: Sumitra Kulkarni, Granddaughter of Mahatam Gandhi, Honorable
Illtyd Harrington, Greater Londo Council; Rev. Timothy McDonald, Southern Christian Leadership
Conference.
Greetings were sent by Rikhi Jaipal, Former Secretary General of the Conference on Disarmament, United
Nations, Geneva, Senator (and now Secretary of State) John Kerry.
Peace Pagodas are typically mentioned in travel guidebooks.