“We are all gathered annually to celebrate the Peace Garden’s creation. In the future, the Garden will remain open to all to come to pray with expanded minds. Ultimately our collective hope and prayer is that all sentient beings’ happiness is increased, that their sufferings are reduced, and that all the obstacles are removed and that everyone finds a path towards liberation. So let us all join in this effort!” -Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche
Since 2005, The Ewam Sangha and the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas hosts a Festival of Peace. A FREE event, this special gathering invites thousands of visitors to enjoy a day on the grounds together. People gather to sing, to dance, to share stories, and to pray for peace in our troubled times.
In 2009, the keynote speaker was Frances Moore Lappe, award-winning speaker and author of Diet for a Small Planet who spoke about the link between a healthy diet and the health of our environment. In 2010, an interfaith panel came together for the festival including Native educator Julie Cajune, Pastor Mark Graverock, Karma Tensum of the Tibetan Children’s Education Foundation. They discussed similarities betweens faiths and the common goals of creating peace and harmony among peoples and nations. Salish-Kootenai elders Pat Pierre and Steven SmallSalmon also spoke and with the help of the Nkwusm School Drummers led a tribal round dance where 1,000 visitors joined hands and circled the field singing and chanting together.
For the 7th Annual Festival of Peace on September 10, 2011, please join us for our 1st Annual Walk-A-Mile for Peace, a one-mile walk, to raise funds for the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas. Families with children are welcome. Sorry no dogs or pets. We ask that each participant gather sponsors for their participation. Ask 10 friends to support your walk with $10.00. (You are welcome to gather more sponsors!) All sponsorship donations are tax-deductible. Bring your sponsorship donations with you on September 10th to the walk. To register: destinationmissoula.org/ewampeacewalk Or contact Raquel Castellanos: development@ewam.org (406) 824-0938. DOWNLOAD PDF of PEACE WALK.
The walk is designed as a Meditative Peace walk. At each quarter mile, you are encouraged to pause and reflect at the ¼ mile markers on one of THE FOUR IMMEASURABLES: Compassion, Love, Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity. Each participant will be given a handout with these traditional Buddhist concepts, which help us all to turn our minds toward peace and assist us in cultivating inner-peace and peace in our world. Check in at Ewam 10-10:45am and walk begins at 11am.
The Peace Festival will begin shortly after the Peace Walk with a Tibetan procession and welcome from Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche followed by an opening performance by The Drum Brothers. Headlining act is a funky acoustic rock band from San Francisco, Alma Desnuda. From violinists to belly dancers to Native drummers, the festival will feature a wide variety of styles of dance, music, and more. DOWNLOAD PDF FLYER OF EVENT
Speakers will discuss the planet, human health, and how we can create a more peaceful world in turbulent times. Interfaith panels, guest speakers, and blessings from indigenous people from Tibet and America will come together to pray for peace and harmony. Food vendors, information tables, native games and crafts, along with spiritual items, clothing and jewelry sellers will round out the festival atmosphere on the Garden grounds. Volunteers and sponsors are needed to help setup and take part in the event. Contact Ewam at 406-726-0555 for more information.
Click the links below to view the 2011 Peace Festival on Vimeo:
