Retreat to mark 60th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings
Source: Upaya Zen Centre, Contributed by Joan Halifax, Published on The Buddhist
Santa Fe, New Mexico (USA) -- A historic retreat to mark the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will take place at Los Alamos National Laboratory and Upaya Zen Center. Los Alamos National Laboratory is where the atoms bombs were developed and produced.
The retreat will open at Upaya Zen Center on August 5, with information on nonviolent responsiveness, a history of the making of the atomic bomb, the tragic consequences in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a review of the current activities of the Los Alamos National Lab, and the status of nuclear weapons research activities in the world.
Retreatants will introduce themselves to one another and articulate their intentions for participation in the program.
Very early the morning of August 6, the memorial day of the bombing of Hiroshima, all participants will go to Los Alamos National Laboratory (a forty-five minute drive), visit the Atomic Bomb Museum, and join the many others around the historic Ashley Pond.
There will be meditation, prayer, education, the making of Jizos, and the taking of Vows. Staying at the Los Alamos site will be retreat co-leader Hilda Baldoquin-Gutierrez, who will bear witness at Los Alamos through August 9.
On August 7-8, most participants will be in deep retreat with co-leader Joan Halifax Roshi at the Upaya Zen Center. There will be talks on these two days that will explore the history and consequences of the bombing, and interfaith religious services, meditation and prayer. The return to Los Alamos on August 9th, marking the bombing of Nagasaki, will conclude the retreat as participants and leaders explore ways to foster a world without weapons.
Cost for full retreat, including food and lodging: Members of Upaya $200; non-members $250. Los Alamos days: donation. Dana. (deposit $100).
Japanese people are encouraged to participate. The Zen Center has limited accommodations; reservations required; please inquire early.
When: August 5-9, 2005
What: INTERFAITH BEARING WITNESS RETREAT AT LOS ALAMOS AND SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, MARKING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOMBINGS OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI
Who: Joan Halifax Roshi, Ryumon Gutierrez Baldoquin, Maia Duerr, other teachers
Organized by Upaya Zen Center, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Pax Christi, and the Los Alamos Study Group.
Getting there: To get to Santa Fe, you can fly to Albuquerque Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and take a door-to-door shuttle to Upaya Zen Center, Santa Fe.
For more information, please contact Upaya Zen Center, 1404 Cerro Gordo Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 8750
phone: 505 986 8518, fax: 505 986 8528
email: upaya@upaya.org, web: www.upaya.org
