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Peace Pagoda construction is progressing
Construction of a Buddhist Peace Pagoda in Cocke County is coming along well after nearly 15 years of volunteer work. The project at the top of a steep gravel driveway in the Edwina community, includes a guest house, a stone pagoda and a temple, in addition to the large Peace Pagoda. Although a number of people arrive in four-wheel drive vehicles, many walk up the mountainside to pray and to volunteer on work projects. Denise Laffan, who is a monk with a Buddhist order, is a former journalist for a Harrisburg PA. newspaper. She and monk Utsumi reside on the grounds and supervise the volunteer labor on the large circular Peace Pagoda which has a diameter of 76 feet. When completed it will have a dome with a spire, reaching a height of more than 90 feet. "We built it for the purpose of praying and creating world peace. It is open for everyone, and is not strictly for Buddhists. It's for everyone's own prayer, reflection and a time for finding inner peace," explains Denise. Many volunteers from around the country have participated in the project, "as a part of creating this beautiful place, with positive energy," she explains. Walkways will encircle the pagoda, with four Buddha statues facing north, south, east and west, and in between each there will be stone carvings from India depicting the life of Buddha. It includes Buddha artifacts encased in the foundation. The stone pagoda at the entrance to the property includes the Buddhist prayer mantra for peace. The intent is for the wind "to carry the prayers for peace in all directions," Laffan says. The only other Peace Pagodas in the eastern U.S are located in upper New York and in Massachusetts. Monk Utsumi says there have at least 500 visitors to the site who have contributed labor, financial support and encouragement. One of the volunteers is Ken Jones of Asheville, N.C., who is not a Buddhist but met Denise and Utsumi on a peace walk several years ago. "The Peace Pagoda concept resonated with me and I've participated in several work camps just because I love the community they are building here. This is a group of people working to promote peace in the world, and I want to be a part of it," says Jones. Laffer says the immediate goal is to complete the Peace Pagoda but the longer term objective is to create a community that will foster peace in the region, and eventually spread out "beyond our lifetime". She said the community is open to everyone for visits. Utsumi said the site is ideal for those dealing with life's struggles, and who want an opportunity to reflect on their situation. He says spending time in the mountains can be very transforming, and be a positive experience. The Cocke County location was spotted during a peace walk from Atlanta to Oak Ridge, aimed at abolishing nuclear weapons. During the walk the participants stayed on a farm in the Cosby community and were introduced to the Edwina site. "We see the Peace Pagoda as a heartfelt response of people to nuclear weapons. Many of our visitors are not Buddhists but are working to eliminate nuclear weapons, and this is how they are putting their heart into something that will last beyond them." The beautiful mountains also played a part in attracting the planners of the pagoda. Another attractive aspect of the community, according to Denise, was a lack of zoning, which meant few restrictions on the way the planned Peace Pagoda could be built. "We feel very comfortable with the people of Cocke County," Laffer says. "People who work with their hands seem to be open to others who are doing the same kind of work." Buddhism is a spiritual tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development and the attainment of a deep insight into the true nature of life. There are 376 million followers worldwide. Buddhists seek to reach a state of nirvana, following the path of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who went on a quest for Enlightenment around the sixth century BC. There is no belief in a personal god. Buddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent and that change is always possible. The path to Enlightenment is through the practice and development of morality, meditation and wisdom. Buddhists believe that life is both endless and subject to impermanence, suffering and uncertainty. Existence is endless because individuals are reincarnated over and over again, experiencing suffering throughout many lives. It is impermanent because no state, good or bad, lasts forever.
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Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
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Mill Creek Wildfire Update
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