I think of a parable from Japan as we enter the sixth year of the Iraq war.

A big, tough samurai once went to see a little monk. "Monk," he said, in a voice accustomed to instant obedience, "teach me about heaven and hell!"

The monk looked up at this mighty warrior and replied with utter disdain, "Teach you about heaven and hell? I couldn't teach you anything. You're dirty. You smell. Your blade is rusty. You're a disgrace, an embarrassment to the samurai class. Get out of my sight. I can't stand you."

The samurai was furious. He pulled out his sword and raised it above him, preparing to slay the monk.

"That's hell," said the monk softly.

The samurai was overwhelmed. The compassion and surrender of this little man who had offered his life to give this teaching to show him hell! He slowly put down his sword, filled with gratitude, and suddenly peaceful.

"And that's heaven," said the monk softly.

I fear our nation is closer to hell than to heaven, led on a march of folly with President Bush leading the parade. We were led into this war by lies and deceptions. "Thou shalt not bear false witness." What is it about those words that President Bush does not understand?

In revenging the loss of nearly 3000 lives on 9/11, this war has now cost the lives of 4000 American soldiers. Gandhi said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth philosophy leaves us both blind and toothless." What is there about those words that Vice President Cheney doesn't understand?

President Eisenhower warned against a military-industrial complex. Our nation has paid a great price for war-making - up to $3 trillion. "They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks." What is there about those words that the Congress does not understand?

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have died - in military-speak, merely "collateral damage." The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads, "Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person." What is there about those words that our leaders in Washington do not understand?

There were no weapons of mass destruction to be found in Iraq. We were the ones who introduced them. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." What is there about those words that the administration does not understand?

Thirty-seven million Americans live in poverty, 47 million have no health insurance, the nation tumbles headlong into recession, while the rich get ever richer. "Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.... It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.... Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me." What is there about those words that the pious politicians inside the beltway do not understand?

However, lest we be self-righteous, we cannot simply blame our leaders for this unjust war. In a democracy we get the leaders we deserve. It is not too late. This fifth anniversary of a tragic war is a clarion call for us to launch our own moral surge to demand withdrawal of our troops with all deliberate speed; to divert our bloated military budget to rebuild the nation's infrastructure, to address global climate change, end poverty, and provide universal health care; to repent of the harm we have done to Iraq and the world; and to rekindle the light of a just and democratic nation on the hill as an inspiration to the nations.

During the Gulf War, a member of my congregation gave me a most unusual vase, standing over a foot tall, with graceful, curving lives, and a very heavy base. She had purchased it at a rummage sale some years ago as a flower container. Later she had picked it up and read the inscription on its base: "105 millimeters, M 14, lot 12c B Company, 1944." It was an artillery shell casing beaten into the shape of a flower urn. "They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more." It is these words we must understand and live on this solemn anniversary.

RICHARD GILBERT, ROCHESTER

Gilbert is the retired minister of First Unitarian Church.