An 8-foot-tall cedar peace pole, with a prayer for harmony emblazoned in four languages, has sprouted from the grassy lawn behind College Hall at Gonzaga University.
Venerable Geshe Phelgye, Gonzaga’s first scholar in residence and a Tibetan Buddhist monk, gifted the pole to the university in a formal ceremony Monday as a way to thank the school for its Jesuit mission of service and promotion of peace and social justice.
“I believe this peace pole represents all peace makers around the world throughout history, like Gandhi, like Martin Luther King Jr., like His Holiness the Dalai Lama and many more,” said Geshe Phelgye.
He said when people walk through campus and see the pole, he hopes they’ll be inspired to be inspired to carry out the Jesuit mission.
Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh said the peace pole is a welcome gift that the university is proud to display.
“It represents our aspirations for peace,” he said, adding that he hopes it will be a reminder to those who pass by it that being peaceful takes action.
The pole, made of red cedar, has the prayer, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” written in English, Tibetan, Hebrew and Arab. Geshe Phelgye used his own resources to have the peace pole built.
Cree Whelshula, of the Coeur d'Alene people, said cedar is symbolic in Native American traditions, as it’s often burned during invocations, allowing the smoke to carry prayers to the creator. She was one of many speakers at the blessing ceremony and said because cedar, and peace poles, are found scattered throughout the map, Gonzaga is now tied sacredly to other lands.
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