Dear America - from Hiroshima survivor

"NO MORE HIROSHIMA"

Dear America:

September 11, 2001 was a horrific day for all Americans. I am a survivor of Hiroshima who has since become a US citizen. It immediately brought back overwhelming memories of August 6, 1945. The memory of these horrors and of the incredible suffering of both those who died and those who survived is forever etched in my memory-the scars on my body live on-but THEY ARE ALL FORGIVEN!

I was only eight years old when America dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima-my city, my home and my classmates-banished into atomic ashes. I dedicated my life to avenging the death of my parents. I would have gladly joined any group that wanted to kill Americans. In fact, the only reason I came to America was for "REVENGE"-to kill the parents of American children so that their children could know suffering as I had.

Finally, after many long years (some of them spent in America, getting to know Americans personally), I came to understand that the only gift I had to give the dead was to share the healing lesson of forgiveness and unity -"peace" with others in their name.

The attack of September 11th caused hideous suffering, but the "war on terrorism" has also caused great suffering in Afghanistan and now possibly in Iraq. Every time someone dies in an act of war, no matter how seemingly justified, the desire for revenge is born and the seeds of terrorism are sown. Look at the Middle East! There has to be another way.

Although now I am legally blind, one last remnant of that blast so long ago, the vision of my heart has become clearer. The only way to stop terrorism is to wage peace. We must find peaceful ways to end conflict with our fellow men. We must extend our hands across territorial boundaries, with respect and reverence for all life.

Some people may say that creating peaceful coexistence is an unreachable dream, which the world is in such a terrible state, that it will never happen. I say that war is unrealistic! War cannot bring peace; it can only bring death and destruction. The proof that peace is possible and it should be for our children! It is that we have such hope, finding solutions for the healing of our times and for our future, by creating a vision of "Heiwa"-peace that flows from equality and harmony. Together we will share how important it is for healing ourselves-"from revenge to forgiveness", folding origami cranes, making something hopeful and beautiful in response to these very desperate, uncertain times.

Thank you for listening to my heart,
Takashi "Thomas" Tanemori, founder
Silkworm Peace Institute