Opening

The 2021 SOPP, broadcast via live stream on YouTube and Facebook, began at 10:40am on May 16th (Japan time). It opened with a video comprised of gentle scenes of natural beauty and people in prayer, accompanied by the words of Masami Saionji’s prayerful poem, “Creation of the Universe” and music by Japanese artist rocomoon (featured as a musical performer during the ceremony). After the end of the poem, the video shifted to scenes of Fuji Sanctuary, showing thousands of people gathered in the outdoor prayer field at a previous year’s SOPP.

Next, participants were greeted on screen by Yuka Saionji, Deputy Chairperson of Byakko Shinko Kai.

 

Opening remarks from Yuka Saionji

Welcome to the 17th annual Symphony of Peace Prayers. We are so happy to be live-streaming our program today from Fuji Sanctuary. This year, we again have wonderful religious leaders who have offered us their peace prayers. We have used pictures, videos, and music to create a sense of oneness amongst each other, to allow us to connect with our divine spark, and to offer the peace prayers that are so necessary for humanity and the whole world today. The program is about three hours, and we ask and invite you to offer your genuine and powerful prayers. We will start the program with greetings from Byakko President Tomohiko Naya.

 

After Yuka’s remarks, the broadcast proceeded to welcoming addresses from Byakko President Tomohiko Naya and Chairperson Masami Saionji.

 

Welcoming addresses
Tomohiko Naya, President of Byakko Shinko Kai

On the occasion of the 17th Symphony of Peace Prayers, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who are taking part in this event online, both here in Japan and around the world.

Although we are still unable to gather in person for this event, I am sure that the precious prayers for peace offered by each of you, the supporters of the SOPP, will envelop the planet and become a light of hope for all humanity and all living beings on this earth.

Humanity is facing a very difficult time, not only because of the new coronavirus, but also because of global warming, ocean pollution, and other environmental problems that are becoming ever more serious. I feel that there has never been a time like today, when people of spiritual faith need to believe in the power of prayer and to demonstrate their divine consciousness.

Today, it is a great honor for us to be able to pray together with religious and spiritual leaders from many different faiths, as they guide us in prayers for peace. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to the prayer leaders for taking time out of their busy schedules to prepare for this event.

It is my hope that, through the prayers sent out at today’s SOPP, the sacred spirit that is connected with the essence of life will be awakened in the surface consciousness of a great many people. I believe that this is a sure path, from the heart of each and every individual to the realization of world peace. When I think of the power of your prayers, both inwardly and outwardly, I am once again convinced that the power of your collective prayers will reach every corner of the world, shining radiantly with divine life.

I also know that there are many people around the world in the SOPP prayer network who may not be able to join us online today. This network of prayer continues spreading throughout the world, transcending time and space. I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for uniting your hearts to hold this Symphony of Prayers for Peace, and I hope that it will be a meaningful day for all of you who are connected to today’s prayers.

 

Masami Saionji, Chairperson of Byakko Shinko Kai

Although we could not invite and welcome all of you to Fuji Sanctuary for the 17th Symphony of Peace Prayers, I feel deep joy in being able to host the SOPP in this new way, sending it out all over the world through the Internet.

As you all know, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected all of us around the world, creating a worldwide crisis. This is the result of the past negative thoughts, words, and actions sent out by each member of humanity. We are now at a point where we must realize this and make a change. It is time for humanity to stop its negative thoughts and actions, and stand up together for truth, to awaken the divine spark within all of us. It is time for us to be the pioneers of an age of the divine spark. We are all connected as one, and are meant to live our divine mission and show the world this ultimate truth.

No matter what circumstances might come, deep within us is the seed of the divine spark, yet to blossom. Even now, amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, we are being taught and guided that we are all one, beyond borders, ethnicities, tribes, religions, and ideologies.

Now is the time to bring our networks together, built over nearly a century, and through our prayers, send out the sublime love, wisdom, and experience of humanity as a divine spark. This is the mission and the life that has been given to us to shine forth.

I am deeply grateful to have this online SOPP broadcast all around the world, because this is an opportunity for all of us to connect and join as one throughout the world, and to pray together during today’s SOPP.

This is all due to your prayers and your passion, for which I am deeply grateful. Your work and your contribution of prayers is immense. Today, there are difficult situations all around the world—in Israel and Palestine, in India, and in Taiwan, and we would like to take this opportunity to send our love and prayers to those places and all around the world, and to connect with one another.

Thank you very much. May peace prevail on Earth.

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