Gratitude for All Life on Earth
To lead the next portion of the program, Byakko Deputy Chair Yuka Saionji and Vice Chairpersons Maki Saionji and Rika Saionji were welcomed on stage. First, Rika Saionji introduced the prayer of Gratitude for All Life on Earth.
Rika Saionji, Vice Chairperson of Byakko Shinko Kai
As you just heard in the talk about the Fuji Declaration, it is vital that each of us connect to our divine spark in our own way. Therefore, it is important that different tools are offered for this purpose. For example, some may find that yoga or climbing mountains is a tool for connecting to their divine spark. Others may say it is art, or music. For some, it might be the birth of a child, or witnessing the death of a loved one. The important point is that there are many ways and paths to find and connect with our divine spark.
What we are going to share with you now are three prayer methods offered by Byakko Shinko Kai for connecting with the divine spark. The first is expressing gratitude to nature. It is a prayer to send out gratitude to all living things. It is for all the entities that keep us alive, like the air, water, and the sun.
After this, we will demonstrate an ‘IN,’ or prayer without words. Masami Saionji will explain this practice in a little while. Lastly, we have the prayers for peace in each country and region. For many years, we have been praying for the peace of every country in the world, in the native language of each country. For example, when we pray for Afghanistan, the flag of Afghanistan will be brought to the center of the stage, and we will all pray together in Afghanistan’s two national languages. We will continue to do the same for all 193 countries.
I would like to invite all of you to join in and pray with us today. Thank you very much.
Following the MC, participants offered a prayer of Gratitude for All Life on Earth, in both Japanese and English.
Gratitude for All Life on Earth
Thank you, dear Oceans.
Thank you, dear Mountains.
Thank you, dear Earth.
Thank you, dear Animals.
Thank you, dear Plants.
Thank you, dear Minerals.
Thank you, dear Water.
Thank you, dear Air.
Thank you, dear Sun.
Thank you, dear planet Earth.
May Peace Prevail on Earth.