2024 Fuji SOPP
The Power of Prayer
On May 19, 2024, people across the globe once again offered their hearts, prayers, and voices for world peace and interfaith harmony, in the 20th annual Symphony of Peace Prayers (SOPP). Celebrated in a live-streamed broadcast from Fuji Sanctuary in Shizuoka, Japan, the SOPP united peace-loving people all over the world in their shared wishes and prayers for a world free from national and religious conflict, where all life on earth is cherished.
Held every May since 2005, the SOPP is a unique and moving demonstration of interfaith unity, in which participants join in the peace prayers of various faiths and traditions, and also pray for peace in all countries and regions of the world. 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).
To celebrate the milestone of the 20th annual SOPP, this year’s event centered around the idea that started it all—the power of prayer. Whether prayers are offered in person or online, alone or with thousands of others, their power is far reaching, and our own prayers even circulate back to us. The vice-chairs of host organization Byakko Shinko Kai discussed this year’s theme in their written message (reprinted below).
This year’s ceremony included prayers from six faith traditions, a presentation and interactive program on the Fuji Declaration, prayers for peace in each country and region on earth, a prayer of Gratitude for All Life, the Divine Spark IN, and messages of peace from five special guests.
In addition to the main ceremony that was broadcast from Fuji Sanctuary, a few smaller gatherings took place this year, in France, Pakistan, and Spain. We are pleased to share reports from these events on the International Events page.
We begin below with a written message from the vice-chairs 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 2024 page.
Message from the Deputy Chairperson and Vice Chairs
This year marks the 20th SOPP held at Fuji Sanctuary—a significant milestone in our journey. This year, the event is once again being held online, and while we yearn to one day gather at Fuji Sanctuary and feel your presence here, over the past few years we have also come to appreciate the beauty of holding the event online.
Bringing the SOPP online has allowed us to bring together religious leaders from around the world like never before. It has enabled us to experience prayers from all across the globe. Moreover, it brings us joy to know that those who are unable to come to Fuji Sanctuary can still experience the SOPP from their own homes. Therefore, we look forward to celebrating this landmark 20th SOPP online, connecting with people all around the world.
To mark this milestone, the theme of this year’s event goes back to the origins of the SOPP—namely, the power of prayer. Throughout its history, the SOPP has been made possible by the contributions and efforts of many individuals. Each and every one of you who believes in the power of prayer has made the SOPP what it is today. Why do people from all over the world take part in this event? Why do they appear as presenters and performers, send messages, and offer prayers to the earth and all living things on this day? It is because so many share our desire to transcend religious, ideological, political, and national boundaries through the power of prayer, and to create a beautiful symphony of prayers on this earth.
When we pray, we become one with the vibrations of great nature and with the universal source, and our inherent power becomes manifest. Many people understand this and have experienced it—especially those who have supported the SOPP—and it is for this reason that we are able to hold the SOPP again this year, bringing all of your prayers together. When we offer our sincere prayers, we see that there are no boundaries or differences—no distinctions based on ethnicity, nation, or religion. We realize that human beings, animals, and all of nature are all truly one. The SOPP is a sacred time of connection, made possible by the power of prayer.
In an era marked by frequent conflicts and tragedies, when we are experiencing increased sorrow, we feel it is vital to once again bring forth the power of prayer from within each and every one of us, and to experience this power together. We are truly grateful to be able to spend this time with all of you again this year.
May peace prevail on Earth.
Yuka Saionji, Maki Saionji, and Rika Saionji
Deputy Chairperson and Vice Chairpersons of Byakko Shinko Kai