Seventy-nine years have passed since the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, yet the devastating impact of those attacks continues to reverberate through history. This week, the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, an organization representing survivors of those atomic bombings. The award underscores both the possibility and difficulty of achieving peace. The hibakusha, having endured unimaginable suffering, have devoted their lives to advocate nuclear disarmament, reminding the world of the human cost of war. Yet, as history shows, human greed, aversion, and ignorance persist, perpetuating conflict even in the face of overwhelming evidence of war’s devastation.

In a press release announcing the prize, the Nobel Committee stated: “The hibakusha help us to describe the indescribable, to think the unthinkable, and to somehow grasp the incomprehensible pain and suffering caused by nuclear weapons.” (The Nobel Peace Prize)

United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres spoke of the group’s efforts: “It is time for world leaders to be as clear-eyed as the hibakusha, and see nuclear weapons for what they are: devices of death that offer no safety, protection, or security. The only way to eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons is to eliminate them altogether.” (United Nations)

Guterres’ statement might lead us to wonder if—in a world beset by greed, hatred, and delusion—a move away from such destructive weapons is truly possible. Is it worth the effort to keep up this humanitarian campaign?

The Buddha himself had a moment of similar uncertainty when, just after his awakening, he hesitated to initially teach. The Ayacana Sutta (SN 6.1) relates:

This Dhamma that I have attained is deep, hard to see, hard to realize, peaceful, refined, beyond the scope of conjecture, subtle, to-be-experienced by the wise. But this generation delights in attachment, is excited by attachment, enjoys attachment. For a generation delighting in attachment, excited by attachment, enjoying attachment, this/that conditionality and dependent co-arising are hard to see. . . . And if I were to teach the Dhamma and if others would not understand me, that would be tiresome for me, troublesome for me. (Access to Insight)

The Buddha’s hesitation encapsulates a truth about human nature: most people are entangled in greed, aversion, and ignorance, making it difficult for all of those who embrace a path of peace and liberation. Yet the Buddha did teach, realizing that there were some who, “with little dust in their eyes,” would benefit from his efforts. The Nobel Committee noted that this, too, was Alfred Nobel’s vision, that “committed individuals can make a difference,” and that the survivors being honored had “chosen to use their costly experience to cultivate hope and engagement for peace.” (The Nobel Peace Prize)

Like the Buddha’s hesitation and ultimate decision to teach, the hibakusha’s lifelong struggle for peace reflects the challenge of reaching those caught in cycles of attachment and fear. Despite clear evidence of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons, many nations continue to maintain and modernize their nuclear arsenals. This is driven not only by fear—of perceived threats from other nations—but also by greed and a desire for geopolitical dominance. These emotions, which the Buddha identified as core obstacles to liberation, underlie the nuclear arms race and impede efforts toward disarmament.

The atomic bombings of 6 and 9 August 1945 marked an unprecedented moment in modern warfare, killing an estimated 120,000 people and leaving countless others suffering from radiation-related illnesses. Today, the hibakusha population is dwindling, with just over 100,000 survivors remaining, most of whom are over 86 years old. For decades, their stories of pain and resilience were obscured, largely due to US censorship in post-war Japan, which downplayed the extent of the radiation sickness and suffering.

Yet, out of this collective trauma, the hibakusha found their voice through the formation of Nihon Hidankyo in 1956. The organization has remained steadfast in its mission: advocating medical and welfare benefits for survivors while calling for the total abolition of nuclear weapons. Their rallying cry, “no more hibakusha,” captures the essence of their message, which is not only about seeking justice for their own suffering but about ensuring that no one else experiences the horrors that they endured.

Hidankyo’s activism extends beyond Japan’s borders. Over the years, the group has embarked on international tours, including visits to India, where they shared their experiences and raised awareness of the consequences of nuclear warfare. Their efforts, combined with broader anti-nuclear movements, have played a role in shifting political discourse in Japan toward pacifism and democracy. Scholars have credited their activism with fostering a greater public understanding of the dangers of nuclear arms and contributing to the incorporation of pacifism into Japan’s post-war constitution. The Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 is a recognition of Hidankyo’s unwavering commitment to this cause.

Despite the successes of anti-nuclear movements like Hidankyo, the global landscape today remains fraught with nuclear tensions. Many nations continue to stockpile nuclear weapons, using them not only as deterrents but also as instruments of geopolitical strategy. One of the most prominent examples of this is Russia, which has recently reiterated its willingness to use nuclear weapons in retaliation for conventional attacks. This kind of rhetoric has been a key feature of its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, underscoring the dangerous role that nuclear weapons continue to play in global conflicts.

The situation is equally volatile in other parts of the world. In West Asia, for instance, countries such as Israel have acquired nuclear weapons, contributing to an arms race in an already unstable region. This proliferation of nuclear arms highlights the failures of existing non-proliferation mechanisms, which are often undermined by geopolitical interests and the reluctance of major nuclear powers to engage in serious disarmament efforts.

In light of these challenges, Hidankyo’s Nobel Peace Prize serves as a timely reminder of the urgent need for meaningful nuclear disarmament. While the hibakusha are now in the twilight of their lives, their message remains as relevant as ever. The survivors’ firsthand accounts of the bombings and their ongoing activism continue to provide moral clarity in a world where the threat of nuclear warfare still looms large.

The selflessness of the hibakusha, who have dedicated their lives to advocating for peace despite their own profound suffering, stands in stark contrast to the political realities of the nuclear-armed states. As Hidankyo’s activism has demonstrated, the pursuit of peace is not merely about treaties and negotiations but about fostering a deeper understanding of the human cost of war.

The work of Hidankyo resonates deeply with core teachings on compassion, non-violence, and the interconnectedness of all beings. The Buddha’s teachings emphasize the avoidance of harm and the importance of understanding the suffering of others. In this light, the hibakusha’s nuclear disarmament advocacy can be seen as an extension of the Buddhist principle of karuna (Skt. compassion), which calls for the alleviation of suffering wherever it is found.

Nihon Hidankyoco-chair Toshiyuki Mimaki demonstrated this selfless compassion when he directed the world’s attention to those suffering now and in the immediate future. “Especially in places like Israel and Gaza, children are being covered in blood and living every day without food, having their schools destroyed, stations destroyed, and bridges destroyed,” he said, fighting back tears. (Reuters)

Moreover, the hibakusha’s experiences offer a powerful reminder of impermanence (Skt: anitya). The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in an instant, transformed entire cities and countless lives. This impermanence of life and the suddenness with which suffering can occur underscore the need for vigilance and effort in cultivating peace and compassion in a world still fraught with violence.

In 2025, the world will mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings in Japan. While the Nobel Peace Prize is a significant recognition of Hidankyo’s efforts, the path to nuclear disarmament remains fraught with challenges. The world’s nuclear powers continue to resist calls for disarmament, and the threat of nuclear conflict persists. Nevertheless, the award highlights the moral authority of the hibakusha and their long-standing commitment to peace. Their advocacy should inspire not only governments but also individuals to reflect on the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons and to work toward a future free from the threat of atomic warfare.

In a world that often seems indifferent to the lessons of history, the recognition of Nihon Hidankyo offers a glimmer of hope. It reminds us of the power of collective action and the importance of standing up for peace, even in the face of overwhelming odds. The question now is whether the world will finally heed their call.

Awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo is not just a commemoration of the past, it is a call to action for the present and future. As Buddhists and global citizens, we must continue to advocate for peace, guided by the principles of compassion and non-violence, and work toward a world where the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are never repeated.

See more

Announcement (The Nobel Peace Prize)
Guterres salutes Japanese anti-nuclear group on Nobel Peace Prize win (United Nations)
Ayacana Sutta: The Request (SN 6.1) (Access to Insight)
Nobel laureate Hidankyo co-chair worries about children in Israel and Gaza (Reuters)

Related features from BDG

Anti-War Performance, Part Two
Seeding Peace in the Cloud
Give Peace a Chance
Buddhistdoor View: Finding the Peacemakers in a New, Terrible War
Buddhistdoor View: Israel and Iran – Pursuing Peace Amid Conflict

Related news reports from BDG

Soka Gakkai President Calls On G7 Leaders for Commitment to “No First Use” of Nuclear Weapons and Resolution to War in Ukraine
Soka Gakkai President Issues Statement on the Ukraine Crisis and Nuclear Weapons
Soka Gakkai International Amplifies Call for Universalization of Nuclear Ban Treaty, Endorses Interfaith Statement
Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Urge End to Ukraine War and Nuclear Weapons
Buddhist Leaders Welcome 50th Ratification of Nuclear Ban Treaty
Dalai Lama Urges Nuclear Disarmament on 75th Anniversary of Hiroshima, Nagasaki Bombings
Soka Gakkai President Calls for Support on Nuclear Disarmament and Youth Climate Action
Mayor of Hiroshima Appeals for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons at Interfaith Memorial Ceremony