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At the last minute we dashed up to Seoul to partipate in a peace rally with world renouned peace advocate, Thich Nhat Hahn. We were sure to acquire pro-peace parafanalia as soon as possible so as to avoid be mistaken and accosted as nazi, war-loving Americans. As we stood listening to peace talks by ministers and civic leaders and a rousing pro-peace musical numer by a spicy Korean rock musician, we waved our Stop War banners and wrote on the back, "AMERICANS FOR PEACE." Soon, the most dignified and friendly buddhist monk came and introduced himself to us. He had his own Stop War banner and softly but firmly asserted in English, "No War! No Nuclear!"
The cameras began to gather around us like flies as our new monk friend squeezed between the two peace loving Americans and together we hoisted our banners promoting peace. Soon Thich Nhat Hahn and his entourage calmly walked down the center of the gathered throng and onto the stage. He, with the help of a Korean translator, gave a beautiful speach about brotherhood and peace. Celeste (she's lovely) whooped and hollered her appraisal at every beautiful truth he spoke. After his speach and a prayer using bells, words, and song, Thich Nhat Hahn and his entourage began a short but deliberate march through the roped off section in the middle of the throng. The marchers were to mentally engage themselves by inhaling while thinking "brotherhood, brotherhood" and exhaling while thinking "peace, peace." Our monk friend beconed us to stay close to him. As Thich Nhat Hahn and his group passed by, our monk merged in behind their group to walk with them. He ordered us to do the same. Holding our signs, AMERICANS FOR PEACE, Celeste and I followed Thich Nhat Hahn as he walked calmly through a crowd of thousands of supporters. I heard a voice softly cry out from the crowd, "Scott!" I looked over and saw Jin-soon, who had come to the same rally by herself. She reached out and grabbed my hand as tears rolled down her face. It wasn't until we had turned around and doubled back our same short course that I realized that Celeste and I were the only people besides Thich Nhat Hahn's group and the monks who were walking. I was stunned that our monk friend allowed us this rare oportunity. After Thich Nhat Hahn left and the crowds began to dispurse, our monk ushered us onto stage as another buddhist monk drummed furriously and beautifuly on an enormous dragon drug, a prayer for peace. A Prayer For Peace--Scottro [2003-03-26]
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Last five letters Gathering [2009-09-04] ?2002, Scott & Celeste. |
