Alex Pereklita

Alex Pereklita was born in Toronto. He has had a lifelong interest in Asian culture and martial arts. After graduating from the University of Toronto and working as a research engineer in the nuclear power industry, he journeyed to Japan to study the Japanese arts of aikido, iaido, and chado. In Japan, he met Master Ryokyu Endo, who inspired him to focus his energies on the healing arts of tao shiatsu and tao sangha. Alex now works as a tao shiatsu instructor and therapist, teaching in Canada and abroad. He practices Buddhist chanting and meditation for the benefit of all beings.

“…I feel that I have received the gift of having a clearer purpose in my life, to work toward making the world a better place… a world without weapons of any kind.”

It is quite interesting for me to examine how the bombings affected me personally. On one level, I am extremely grateful, through this experience, to have met with Hibakusha like Setsuko Thurlow, heard their stories, and had the opportunity to share their stories with others, including my own children.

On a deeper, spiritual level, I feel that I have received the gift of having a clearer purpose in my life, to work toward making the world a better place … a world without weapons of any kind.

It’s a great relief to have this purpose clear my heart; to wake up every day and share this vision with other like-minded, wonderful people.

—Alex Pereklita

Portrait of Setsuko Thurlow standing by the Eternal Flame in the Peace Garden at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.

Setsuko Thurlow

Portrait of Katy McCormick standing in the Peace Garden at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.

Katy McCormick

Portrait of Vinay Jindal in the Peace Garden at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.

Vinay Jindal

Portrait of Mary Ellen Fancoeur standing in the Peace Garden at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.

Mary-Ellen Francoeur

Portrait of Sid Ikeda in the Peace Garden at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.

Sid Ikeda

Portrait of Barbara Birkett standing in the Peace Garden at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.

Barbara Birkett

Portrait of Michael Nevin sitting in the Peace Garden at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.

Michael Nevin

Portrait of Rosemary Keenan standing in the Peace Garden at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.

Rosemary Keenan

Portrait of Phyllis Manning Creighton sitting in the Peace Garden at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.

Phyllis Manning Creighton

Portrait of Alex Pereklita standing in the Peace Garden at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.

Alex Pereklita

Portrait of Earl Smith sitting in the Peace Garden at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.

Earl Smith