Two Souls, One Vow: A Spiritual Homecoming at Unnalom Pagoda
The journey of a peacebuilder is often marked by the legacies of those who walked before us. During his recent visit to Cambodia, our Secretary General, Rev. Dr. Yoshinori Shinohara, visited the sacred grounds of Unnalom Pagoda in Phnom Penh—the spiritual birthplace of Cambodian Buddhism.
What began as a mission to honor a legendary leader transformed into a deeply personal encounter with a memory that changed the course of his life.
Honoring a Guiding Light: The Late Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong
The primary purpose of the visit was to pay respects to the late Great Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong, a towering figure in the global peace movement and a long-time Co-President of Religions for Peace.
Two years after the Patriarch’s passing, Rev. Dr. Shinohara was finally able to offer a prayer of heartfelt gratitude at Unnalom Temple. He reflected on the Patriarch’s unwavering dedication to preserving the wisdom of generations and his vital role in the rejuvenation of Cambodian faith. Standing amidst the ancient Buddha statues and historical grandeur of the pagoda, the Secretary General felt the weight and beauty of a life entirely dedicated to the service of peace.
An Unexpected Encounter: The Monument to Atsuhito Nakata
While immersed in prayer, Rev. Dr. Shinohara’s heart was suddenly stirred by a familiar name in a sacred place: the monument to Mr. Atsuhito Nakata.
In 1993, Atsuhito Nakata, a 25-year-old UN Volunteer, gave his life while serving as an election monitor in Cambodia. At the time, Rev. Dr. Shinohara was a university student. Though they never met, the news of Nakata’s sacrifice sent a shockwave through his life, awakening him from the ordinary and teaching him that building peace is the most noble way to live.
“It was his courage that inspired me to begin to dedicate my life to peace work. Seeing his name here, in this sacred place, I could not hold back my tears. I sat before his monument and renewed my vow to devote myself to peace.”
A Message of Profound Gratitude
We extend our deepest appreciation to the Cambodian religious community, and specifically to the Unnalom Temple, for their years of devotion in honoring the memory of Mr. Nakata.
To see a young Japanese volunteer memorialized within the spiritual heart of Cambodia is a beautiful testament to the bond between our nations and our shared commitment to a future free from violence.
As we prepare for the 10th Governance Assembly, we carry the spirits of both the Great Supreme Patriarch and Atsuhito Nakata with us—reminding us that whether through a lifetime of leadership or a single act of youthful courage, every life dedicated to peace leaves an eternal mark.
The Unnalom Pagoda has graciously shared a short video of this visit, which we invite our community to watch these powerful connections. https://fb.watch/GGG72r72ti/
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The journey of a peacebuilder is often marked by the legacies of those who walked before us. During his recent visit to Cambodia, our Secretary General, Rev. Dr. Yoshinori Shinohara, visited the sacred grounds of Unnalom Pagoda in Phnom Penh—the spiritual birthplace of Cambodian Buddhism.
What began as a mission to honor a legendary leader transformed into a deeply personal encounter with a memory that changed the course of his life.
Honoring a Guiding Light: The Late Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong
The primary purpose of the visit was to pay respects to the late Great Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong, a towering figure in the global peace movement and a long-time Co-President of Religions for Peace.
Two years after the Patriarch’s passing, Rev. Dr. Shinohara was finally able to offer a prayer of heartfelt gratitude at Unnalom Temple. He reflected on the Patriarch’s unwavering dedication to preserving the wisdom of generations and his vital role in the rejuvenation of Cambodian faith. Standing amidst the ancient Buddha statues and historical grandeur of the pagoda, the Secretary General felt the weight and beauty of a life entirely dedicated to the service of peace.
An Unexpected Encounter: The Monument to Atsuhito Nakata
While immersed in prayer, Rev. Dr. Shinohara’s heart was suddenly stirred by a familiar name in a sacred place: the monument to Mr. Atsuhito Nakata.
In 1993, Atsuhito Nakata, a 25-year-old UN Volunteer, gave his life while serving as an election monitor in Cambodia. At the time, Rev. Dr. Shinohara was a university student. Though they never met, the news of Nakata’s sacrifice sent a shockwave through his life, awakening him from the ordinary and teaching him that building peace is the most noble way to live.
“It was his courage that inspired me to begin to dedicate my life to peace work. Seeing his name here, in this sacred place, I could not hold back my tears. I sat before his monument and renewed my vow to devote myself to peace.”
A Message of Profound Gratitude
We extend our deepest appreciation to the Cambodian religious community, and specifically to the Unnalom Temple, for their years of devotion in honoring the memory of Mr. Nakata.
To see a young Japanese volunteer memorialized within the spiritual heart of Cambodia is a beautiful testament to the bond between our nations and our shared commitment to a future free from violence.
As we prepare for the 10th Governance Assembly, we carry the spirits of both the Great Supreme Patriarch and Atsuhito Nakata with us—reminding us that whether through a lifetime of leadership or a single act of youthful courage, every life dedicated to peace leaves an eternal mark.
The Unnalom Pagoda has graciously shared a short video of this visit, which we invite our community to watch these powerful connections. https://fb.watch/GGG72r72ti/
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