Kamakura's Daibutsu Buddha statue. For seekers, it is a place of pilgrimage, for travelers a marvelous object to stop by, for monks their home and their path. Buddha's life inspires many to look into themselves and find peace. Today's Harmony torch carries this very same message to distant places all over the world. Thus, the experience of carrying the torch under the statue of Daibutsu Buddha was like eating two mangoes at one time. Moreover, among all the Buddha statues in the world, founder of the World Harmony Run, Sri Chinmoy, liked this particular one the best and several times gave here concerts for harmony and exposition of his drawings.

Looking up to the statue of Great Buddha

The welcoming ceremony started with a sutra, a mantric prayer for peace that is calming down the restless mind and was held by the head monk of the Kotokuin temple, Mr. Sato, who also wished us good luck in our quest. In his speech, we really liked the part where he said that “… there come people from all over the world to see the Daibutsu, not only Buddhists but also Christians and Islam believers and other religions. Seeing this every day, I feel that world peace should not be such an impossible thing to achieve.“

Receiving the torch from the head monk, Mr. Sato

After a short ceremony, from this silence-flooded place we ran with the torch blessed by Mr. Sato and his mother into the hushing city accompanied by a local runner and a teacher and his 4 students from Chiba Economy University who, overwhelmed by the idea of the Run, did not hesitate to come to run in Sunday’s early morning hours. They study about peace education for children and obviously are not runners but they ran happily in their casual wear in spite of the rain!

A blessingful start to a new day

Runners who came far from Chiba Economy University

Imagine sea with surfers glading the waves of the Pacific Ocean, gentle breeze from the green mountains bestowing the sea with the scent of burning sandalwood in the air and you are in Kamakura. A gentle rain was showering us as we were leaving Kamakura but after reaching the suburbs of Tokyo, the city of cities, the leaflets that we are giving out to curious well-wishers were already dry without a single drop of water. Here we were also joined by enthusiastic runners: mother (60-year old Mrs. Yoneda) with her son who started by chance running at the same time and were really fit. At Kawasaki city hall three new runners joined: ladies who often participate in Tokyo International Women Marathon, Mrs. Sato, Mrs. Sugano and their friend Mr. Nakashima. When looking at the running team one could immediately see from the shape that professionals are there.

Many local runners joined us in the suburbs of Tokyo

Ombo and Erik ran with them all the 13kms to the goal. In Ota ward, 4kms before the goal, another family joined us: Mrs. Noguchi with her 8-year old daughter and 10-year old son. We ran all joyfully up to the goal at Shinagawa station.

The goal at Shinagawa station

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Distance: 51 km

Team Members:
Asami, Bistarini, Erik (Slovakia), Gunarashi, Harashita, Jarmila (Czech), Jyotirmala, Karel (Czech), Kasturika, Krutananda, Narita, Ombo (Mongolia), Pramiti, Sudasa, Yamada

Gallery: See more images!

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