2022 Fuji SOPP

The 18th annual Symphony of Peace Prayers (SOPP) was celebrated with a live-stream broadcast from Fuji Sanctuary in Shizuoka, Japan, on May 15, 2022, bringing together people all across the globe in heartfelt prayers for peace in the world, harmony among humanity, and the healing of nature.

Held every May since 2005, the SOPP is a powerful demonstration of interfaith unity in a shared wish for peace throughout the world. In recent years, the SOPP 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).

Since 2020, in compliance with governmental guidelines regarding the new coronavirus, the SOPP has taken place online, meaning that while participants cannot share in the energy of gathering together in person, they are able to take part in the ceremony from anywhere in the world. The online format also enables the inclusion of beautiful visuals to accompany the prayers, messages, music, and poetry.

With the theme of ‘Compassion—drawing out the love in our hearts to heal the earth,’ the 2022 event included prayers from six faith traditions, prayers for peace in each country and region on earth, a prayer of Gratitude for All Life, the Divine Spark IN, a presentation on the Fuji Declaration, and messages from two prominent individuals whose peace work has brought them in contact with SOPP host organization Byakko Shinko Kai.

In addition to the main ceremony that was live-streamed from Fuji Sanctuary, a number of smaller gatherings took place around the world, either online or in person. We are pleased to share reports from these events on the International Events page.

We begin our coverage below with a written message from the leadership of Byakko Shinko Kai, followed by a detailed account of the online event. The recorded broadcast from Fuji Sanctuary can be viewed on the SOPP 2022 page.

Message from the Chairperson

Thanks to the heartfelt efforts of peace-loving people all over the world, the 18th Symphony of Peace Prayers (SOPP) is being celebrated online again this year. Although we are not able to gather physically at Fuji Sanctuary, I am happy to share this precious time with all of you as we unite our hearts in prayer. Whether or not you are able to join in on the internet, from within our homes and countries we are all connected through the co-resonance of our prayers. And so, let us embrace the world in this year’s Symphony of Peace Prayers.

The theme of this year’s SOPP is ‘Compassion—drawing out the love in our hearts to heal the earth.’

Each of us human beings grows and develops by going through various processes, one after another. And during the present era, the task given to us as individuals, nations, ethnicities and cultures, religions and spiritual traditions, is to open our hearts wide, accepting all the conditions around us and then finding within us the power to send forth something bright and new. In so doing, we must never criticize, blame, or pass judgment on others—for criticism and blame have no power to change anything from the root.

Without exception, each human being has a sacred divine spark living in our heart. Our divine sanctity is always resonating there. Above all else, it is important for us to open the door to our own divine sanctity, letting it come out and work to the full. This is not a matter of theory or reasoning. It is an inborn truth. Even if we are destitute and living in poverty, and no matter how harsh our circumstances might be, each life is equally sacred and valuable, and we must continue to live. As each of us comes to understand this, the world will vastly change.

As I walk in the city, I am amazed when, among the buildings, I look down and see the tremendous vitality of the blades of grass growing at my feet. Little seeds, blown by the wind, took root and turned into grass and tiny flowers that vibrantly push their way up to the surface. Each time I see them, they teach me of the incredible life power of all living things. In any situation, with scarcely any water or nutrients, the seeds that fall into the cracks gradually spread their roots and grow. This mysterious life power is also given to human beings. Humans, animals, and plants are all sacred and interconnected through the life power that we share. From moment to moment, we human beings must live with respect toward the sanctity of life.

Now, more than ever, humankind needs to reconnect with this sacred life power. We must open our hearts and draw out the divine sanctity that lives within. When one person, and then another, respects this divine sanctity and allows it to bloom—even in the most relentless conditions, like the small flowers springing up from the concrete—we can reconnect with our divine sanctity and draw out the love that overflows. When we do, humanity will regain hope and see new possibilities for the future, filling our hearts with bright courage.

With today’s SOPP ceremony, I believe that we can open our hearts and activate the sacred divine power that dwells within, letting it surge forth and bloom, enveloping the earth in the healing vibrations of our world peace prayers. The work that all of you are doing is colossal. Now, let us bring that power together and take one more step forward toward the era of humanity’s divine reawakening.

With profoundest gratitude and respect,

Masami Saionji
Chairperson, Byakko Shinko Kai

Message from the Deputy Chairperson and Vice Chairs

This year’s Symphony of Peace Prayers will again be held online. The SOPP has developed into an annual global event where many supporters and like-minded people come together and connect with one another. This, too, is thanks to the earnest prayers that you all have been offering, and for that we are so grateful.

We would like to share with you a little about this year’s theme, ‘Compassion—Drawing out the love in our hearts to heal the earth.’ Today, as we look at the state of society and the ongoing destruction of nature due to global warming, what is it that is most needed in the world? How can we help the earth to heal?

We believe that what is needed is for humanity to return to its true, essential state of being. And to achieve this, we need to regain our feelings of gratitude to nature and have respect for the original way of living that is given expression in nature. We believe this to be the first step in healing the earth.

This healing is not something that requires human power. The earth and the world of nature are not weak or frail. On the contrary, the earth and nature are always showing us a great deal of truth. Through their powerful life-force and the magnificence of their existence, they awaken us and bring us back to our essential way of living. In order for us to become aware of this, each one of us needs to return to our true, original self.

How can we come back to our true self and heal an earth that is out of balance due to human actions? As mentioned above, the first step is to express our gratitude to nature and maintain respect for nature and all life. How can we do this? By recalling the divinity and compassion that reside within us. Human beings are compassionate by nature. If we simply remember this, compassion will naturally flow out from within us.

We also believe that the path to recalling our divinity and compassion lies in prayer. Just as children unconditionally cherish their parents, our soul, our sacred spirit, unconditionally yearns for the vibration and heart of God, the great source of our existence. We believe that as we pray, we re-attune ourselves to the sacred vibration that resides within all life.

Truth is love. In order for us to perceive truth, it is vital for all of us to come together and connect. Only when all of life is connected—humans, animals plants, the earth, and all living things—can we begin to see this love. When the sacred spirit within each of us is connected through prayer, we can see the earth in its true state of being.

At this year’s SOPP, a wonderful group of prayer leaders will again lead us in prayers from various faith traditions. We would also like to offer sincere prayers to the earth, to nature, and to each country in the world, together with all of you. We believe that through our collective prayers, the true image of the earth and the essential love within all human beings will become manifest, and the various imbalances that we now see on earth will begin to heal.

To everyone, thank you very much for sharing this time together again this year.

May peace prevail on Earth.

Yuka Saionji, Maki Saionji, and Rika Saionji
Deputy Chairperson and Vice Chairpersons of Byakko Shinko Kai