2026 Fuji SOPP

“Musubi”

On May 17, 2026, the skies over Fuji Sanctuary shone with bright sunshine, as if bestowing a blessing on the many peace-loving people gathering in the Prayer Field, from across Japan and around the world, for the 22nd annual Symphony of Peace Prayers (SOPP).

For the first time since 2019, the SOPP was celebrated live and in person at Fuji Sanctuary, the global home of the SOPP located in Shizuoka, Japan. After several years of the event being held online, participants and guests were once again able to pray for peace in each other’s physical presence, feeling the energy of each person’s prayers gather into a single, powerful field that flowed out from Fuji Sanctuary and across the globe. Those who were far away or unable to attend in person could view the ceremony online and join in the various prayers for peace, adding their voice and their heart to the calls for peace and harmony beyond all boundaries of nationality, faith, and creed.

Held every May since 2005, the SOPP is a unique and moving demonstration of interfaith unity and people’s shared wish for a world free from national and religious conflict, where all life on earth is cherished. It has also been the venue for a variety of global initiatives, including the inauguration of the Fuji Declaration (2015), the launch of the Soul of WoMen campaign (2016), and the worldwide introduction of the Divine Spark IN (2018).

As in 2025, the theme for this year’s event was the Japanese word musubi, which means to bind, connect, or tie together. Musubi represents the restoration of our vertical connection with the divine and our horizontal connection with the living beings with whom we share this earth.

This year’s ceremony included peace prayers from six faith traditions, intermingled with prayers for peace in each country and region on earth, as well as the Divine Spark IN, and a special wadaiko (Japanese drum) performance.

In addition to the large ceremony at Fuji Sanctuary, gatherings also took place this year in Australia, France, Italy, and Poland. We are pleased to share reports from these events beginning on page ___.

Below is a written message from the SOPP Executive Committee that appeared in the English program booklet, followed by a detailed account of this year’s ceremony. The recorded broadcast from Fuji Sanctuary can be viewed online at bit.ly/sopp2026.

Message from the SOPP Executive Committee

Thank you very much for joining us today at the 2026 Symphony of Peace Prayers (SOPP).

Since the onset of the covid disaster in 2020, the event has been held online. However, we are pleased to hold it once again at Fuji Sanctuary for the first time in seven years.

We have continued this event with the consistent theme: Regardless of religion, denomination, culture, ethnicity, or position—and even if the format of the event itself may change—we come together as one heart, transcending all differences, to pray for peace. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have supported this event throughout the years.

The situation in the world is changing greatly, and it may seem as though the tide of the times is surging forward. Even so, within each and every one of us resides the power of love and peace that can gently embrace the world. Today, after seven years, we gather once again, uniting the strength of each individual present, expanding that strength into a prayer for the world, and creating a new current of peace.

Prayers for peace from various religions and denominations, prayers for peace for countries around the world, and the resonant sound of Japanese taiko drums—echoing with the heartbeat of the Earth—will come together as one, giving rise to a warm and powerful harmony.

Please spend this time in prayer for world peace while feeling the sacred essence within yourself—the precious divine spark that exists within each and every person.

May peace prevail on Earth.

(Click on the pages in the 2026 menu — below or at right — to read about the various parts of the program)