On 19 May 2025, representatives of SGI’s disarmament team, invited by the Metta Center for Nonviolence, delivered a two-hour online workshop titled “Mightier than the Atomic Bomb: Your Power to Create a World without Nuclear Weapons” as part of the Metta Center’s School of Nonviolence.
Through a combination of interactive sessions, breakout rooms and short lectures, the workshop explored the profound connection between nonviolence and nuclear disarmament. It was a heart-centered experience, focusing on our “inner disarmament” as an essential approach to disarmament work.
The decision to focus on the inner perspective emerged naturally from the discussions on how to overcome pessimism and the sense of powerlessness in the face of the difficult and complex situation the world is going through, where war and violence seem uncontrollable.
Gandhi, once asked in an interview, 'How would you meet the atom bomb with nonviolence?'
Gandhi, once asked in an interview, "How would you meet the atom bomb with nonviolence?" answered, "I will not go underground. I will not go into a shelter. I will come out in the open and let the pilot see I have not a trace of ill-will against him. The pilot will not see our faces from his great height, I know. But the longing in our hearts, that he will not come to harm, would reach up to him, and his eyes would be opened."
Reflecting on this answer, Gandhi’s strong spirit and deep conviction in nonviolence immediately shine through, along with his belief in each person's ability to develop this spirit from within, realizing that everyone possesses an infinite power that is mightier than the atomic bomb.
The workshop was also a valuable opportunity to strengthen and deepen partnerships rooted in a shared commitment to building peace. Inspired by one another's perspectives, the 22 participants actively engaged in discussions, sharing personal stories and responding positively to the reflective and inclusive approach. This created space for genuine conversations and deep introspection to imagine a world free from nuclear weapons.
Anna Ikeda of SGI began the session by offering a brief explanation of the connection between nuclear weapons and violence. She provided historical context and an overview of the current global situation, emphasizing that the harm caused by nuclear weapons spans their entire life cycle—not only their use, but also the mining of materials, testing and production.
During the breakout sessions, participants were able to interact in smaller groups, creating space for more personal exchanges. Guided by questions that encouraged both introspective and practical reflection (e.g., “What is the atomic bomb in your heart?”) participants explored inner and outer obstacles to disarmament and discussed potential pathways forward.
The sense of being separate from others and the world around me feels like my 'atomic bomb.' This illusion of separation and the focus on individualism generate conflict, both internally and socially.
One participant shared, "The sense of being separate from others and the world around me feels like my 'atomic bomb.' This illusion of separation and the focus on individualism generate conflict, both internally and socially."
Afterward, participants watched the 20-minute version of the documentary “I Want to Live On,” which was created by the Center for International Security and Policy (CISP) with support from SGI. The film sheds light on the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan, also known as the “Polygon,” which served as the Soviet Union's primary nuclear test site until 1991. Through powerful personal testimonies, the documentary highlights the lasting damage and suffering caused by nuclear testing, affecting individuals across three generations to this day.
Reflecting on the film, there was a shared sense of responsibility and hope that shifting public attitudes toward nuclear weapons can contribute to healing and protecting the planet. The group expressed a strong desire to continue engaging in dialogue and organizing events that raise awareness and honor the memory of those impacted by nuclear violence.
When we appeal to our shared humanity, we can always find and open a path toward a safer world grounded in respect for life and human dignity.
The next segment led to an exercise where participants were invited to actively engage in dialogue by imagining the world they wish to see and how a world free from nuclear weapons might look. Many different positive visions emerged from the discussion, demonstrating that when we appeal to our shared humanity, we can always find and open a path toward a safer world grounded in respect for life and human dignity. As one participant shared in conclusion, “Nuclear weapons do not make us safer.”
In a world where nuclear threats are growing, this workshop inspired a renewed sense of hope and commitment to ending all forms of violence, recognizing that nuclear weapons represent its most extreme manifestation. It also showed that dialogue and nonviolence are the most powerful paths to transform society and make the world a better place to live, for ourselves and for future generations.
