Memories of Jerusalem

December 12, 2023

I visited Jerusalem in September 2008. At that time, there was a lingering conflict in Israel and Palestine, but the situation had somewhat calmed. I belong to a Buddhist sect, and the sect performed a ritual called "Goma" at the "Forest of Peace Promenade" (maybe different name) in Jerusalem. Despite my fear of both flying and war, I went there with a determined mindset. The rehearsal was on September 9, and the actual ceremony took place on September 10. Surprisingly, the scorching heat I had anticipated did not occur, and I was able to participate in the Goma ceremony under a refreshing cool breeze.
The Forest of Peace Promenade is situated on a hill overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem, a place crowded with the holy sites of the world's three major religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. It had a festive atmosphere akin to the maneuvering of portable shrines in local festivals, with signs urging incomprehensible Asian tourists to step aside.
During the September 9 rehearsal at the Forest of Peace Promenade, something extraordinary happened. A blue light descended from the sky in the midst of the refreshing afternoon. As if submerged in the depths of the sea, we were enveloped in a radiant blue light. Observing the silver pagoda containing the relic of the Buddha, the crystal at its tip emitted a blue glow, shining like a blue star. This state persisted for about two hours, though it might have been shorter in reality.
What was that light? Did the cosmic deity permit this Buddhist ritual? Was it sanctioned by the Earth's deity, or perhaps Jesus Christ accepted us? After returning to Japan, I wondered if it was a dream or a hallucination. However, a photograph of the Jerusalem’s star taken by a fellow member surfaced later, and it now rests on my desk as a precious memento.
Since that day, I've been offering prayers for the people of Israel and Palestine to live in peace. "World Peace" and "Saving the Earth" have become urgent challenges for humanity, transcending mere slogans, especially in today's world.