Praying with the Religions of the World
Next, Byakko Vice-Chairperson Rika Saionji introduced the first core program of the SOPP, Praying with the Religions of the World. This unique program brings together prayer leaders from different faiths and spiritual traditions to lead participants in prayers for peace from their own traditions, in a powerful show of interfaith harmony and unity.
“This year, our theme is the power of prayer, and we have received messages from various religious leaders on this topic. We believe we can learn and be inspired by their beautiful messages, as they have dedicated their lives to prayer,” Rika said.
Prayer leaders from six world religions offered messages and peace prayers, followed by a prayer from Byakko Chairperson Masami Saionji. Each prayer leader recorded their message and prayer in advance, in their place of worship or at home. They first offered a prayer on their own, followed by an additional short prayer for all participants to pray together. Participants were invited to join in the last part of each prayer using the subtitles on screen.
The Rev. Canon Dr. Charles P. Gibbs (Christianity—Episcopalian)
Former Executive Director of the United Religions Initiative (United States)
Message
Dear Sisters and Brothers of All Faiths,
In the spirit of the divine spark within each of us, I greet you in love and peace.
These challenging times require our deepest and truest selves. They ask us to awaken each day overflowing with gratitude for the gift of life and to give ourselves fully to the practice and power of prayer.
Sincere and sustained prayer from our diverse traditions has the power to change our lives, our communities, our nations, and the world for the better.
May our prayer and spiritual practice open into engaged action to brighten the radiant light of peace, justice and healing.
May that light shine in and through us to make visible the beloved community where all life is seen as sacred.
May our prayers be offered and our lives lived as sacred offerings for the good of all.
Salam. Shalom. Amani. Heiwa. Peace.*
* Salam, Shalom, Amani and Heiwa are the words for ‘peace’ in Arabic, Hebrew, Swahili and Japanese.
Prayed by The Rev. Canon Dr. Gibbs in English
Most gracious and most merciful Source of Peace, Love, Healing and Light, throughout the ages you have spoken to Earth’s diverse peoples in myriad languages, but with one message—we are your children, made in your image and called to shine with your light, with our light, in all we are and all we do. As we pray today for peace, justice and healing for the world, help us to hear with new ears these words spoken through your child Jesus:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[Matthew 5:3-10, NRSV]
May our ears, our eyes, our hearts, our souls be ever open to your presence, that we may shine the light of your healing love, peace, justice, and compassion into all the Earth community. In all and through all may we offer you our endless gratitude. Arigatou. Thank you. Asante sana.
Prayed by all participants in English
We are God’s children.
Let us also be God’s peacemakers,
praying and working for peace.
Salam. Shalom. Amani. Heiwa. Peace.
(repeated three times)
Mr. Mark N. Zion (Judaism)
Associate Professor at Tama University, Japan
Message
Good morning everyone. I want to say what a great honor it is for me to be a part of the SOPP prayers this year, and especially to thank the Saionji family for their great effort in bringing all of us together to affirm what we share in common.
Of course, it is for a more peaceful world, and there are many ways to accomplish this. We all approach it in slightly different ways. In Judaism today, we find that ‘prayer’ and ‘action’ are really one and the same.
Usually in our services, we chant the scriptures and we don’t petition God as much. So, the orientation is toward action. It is also similar in Islam, in this regard. We call it Mitzvot, taking time to praise God, to worship God, to read the scriptures, and also to act on them.
The meaning that we have for this is an act of goodness, or an act of kindness. It’s an ancient tradition in Judaism, going back to the Middle Ages. Isaac Luria, a 16th century Jewish mystic, added to this sense of healing through a series of powerful metaphors, and these are still central to Judaism today, regarding what took place at the creation of the world.
God created an empty space so that creation could take place, otherwise there would only be God. But this was traumatic. Luria called this the Breaking of the Vessels. It’s meant to be taken both as metaphorical and also as literal. Luria said the purpose of humanity is to mend the universe, working together with the divine. He called it ‘Tikkun Olam’. So, every kind act, every expression of love, every thought of tolerance and gratitude is a step toward universal salvation. We can all participate in this together.
Lamedvovnik, “thirty-six” in Hebrew, is the number of people keeping the world from falling apart. It’s a mystical number, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that there are only thirty-six. It means that everybody can be participants in the mending of the universe—keeping the world together.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel said it perfectly: “My mission on Earth is to recognize the void—inside and outside myself—and to fill it.”
Together we can fill the void of violence, of conflict, with peace.
We also think of ways to keep our minds occupied and to raise awareness. We go to a psalm probably written about three thousand years ago about the journey of our lives. We have pinnacles and we have valleys. We have times of darkness and we have times of sunshine as well. But through them all, we have the divine presence. This psalm has inspired people for thousands of years. Let me read it in English.
Prayed by Mr. Zion in English
The Psalm of David
The LORD is my shepherd
I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me to water in places of repose;
He renews my life;
He guides me in right paths as befits His name.
Though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness,
I fear no harm, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.
You spread a table for me in full view of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; my drink is abundant.
Only goodness and steadfast love shall pursue me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for many long years.
Prayed by all participants in Hebrew
Psalm 16
I have set Hashem, the Lord, always before me. (repeated four times)
I have set YHWH always before me. (repeated four times)
With Eternal Love You Have Loved Us! (repeated two times)
With Eternal Love! (repeated three times)
Shalom aleichem. Peace be with you all.
Mr. Haji Syed Salman Chishty (Islam)
Chairman of the Chishty Foundation, India
Message
Greetings of peace, adaab salaam, and lots of blessings on this moment that God has brought us together in this incredible Symphony of Peace Prayers that’s been collectively shared heart-to-heart from different parts of the world.
Today, as we are witnessing the world’s chaos, turmoil, and challenges, it is the power of prayers that can truly enable peace into the human heart. It’s a grace, a benevolence to all creation.
That’s the power of peace, and from Ajmer Dargha Sharif, this is Haji Sayed Salman Chishty, Gaddi Nashin Dargha Ajmer Sharif and Chairman of the Chishty Foundation. As we honor the sacred tradition of the Chishty Sufi order from the last 800 years, [we think of] the power of prayers, which was brought forth by Khaja Mohinuddin, Chishty (R.A.) Khawaja Gareeb Nawaz—somebody who took care of the poor, the downtrodden, embraced them and empowered them with peace prayers that you develop yourself in the attributes of nature to be close to the creator.
Sun-like grace, river-like generosity, and earth-like hospitality. That’s the power of peace and prayers that is bestowed upon mankind. And today, from Ajmer Sharif, India, we extend this power of prayers to enable peace. And as all the collective peace prayers are coming from different parts of the world and different faith traditions, on behalf of Islamic spiritual tradition, the Chishti Sufi order, we extend our prayers of peace, so that this power enables the call to prayer and the power of these peace prayers, and that we all become the enablers of peace around the world, around our zones where we live, around our society, and around the communities where we live and grow together.
That’s the message from Ajmer Darga Sharif and we extend all the greetings of peace to all those organizers of this amazing platform where we have come together to celebrate the power of peace in the form of the Symphony of Peace Prayers 2024. Greetings of peace, salaam, adaab, and lots of blessings and prayers of peace from Ajmer Sharif, India.
Adaab, salaam, and greetings of peace. Let’s come together in this hope of reunion, in this hope of oneness as Mevlana Rumi, Jalaluddin Rumi the 13th century Sufi poet said, the door of hope should always remain open.
Come, come, come whoever you are,
Come even if you have broken
Your vows of repentance a hundred times, come.
Our doors are not the doors of despair,
Our doors are the doors of hope, hope and hope.
And truly, this peace prayer and its power keeps the door of hope open for all mankind, all humanity, all creation. That’s our prayer from Ajmer Sharif. Adaab, salaam, and greeting of peace.
Prayed by Mr. Chishty in Arabic
I seek refuge from the accursed Satan in the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Peace be upon you Sayyidul Mursalin to provide grace to all mankind and the environment.
In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds—
The Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
Owner of the Day of Judgement.
You we worship and You we ask for help.
Guide us to the straight path—
The path of those You have favored, not those You are angry with or those who are astray.
Verily, Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. Indeed, Allah and His Angels send salutations upon the Prophet; O You Who Believe, send salutations upon him, and greet him with worthy greetings. O Allah, send blessings upon our leader and teacher Muhammad, and also send mercy and blessings upon his family.
Prayed by all participants in Arabic
O Allah, send blessings upon our leader and teacher Muhammad.
Rev. Masato Ishikawa (Shintoism)
Chief Priest of Kumano Shrine
Message
An endless stream of conflicts continues around the world — conflicts between nations driven by opposing interests, and by ethnic and religious differences. We thought such conflicts could be overcome with the development of human culture, but that has not been the reality.
Now is the time for us to share our innate spirit of harmony with the wider world. It is my hope that the words we continue to speak in our daily prayers — ‘peacefully,’ ‘at ease,’ ‘calmly,’ and ‘harmoniously’ — will spread far and wide. I believe that when people believe in and accept one another, it will lead to concrete results through our actions for peace.
Prayed by Rev. Ishikawa in Japanese
From the Kumano Forest where my shrine is located, far to the east of Mount Fuji’s sacred presence, I offer prayers for peace to the deities of heaven and earth.
Across this wide world, people hold a variety of faiths, and yet all of them aspire to attain world peace. Conflicts break out in the West, in the East, and in every part of the world, and they spread and go on without end. It is indeed the height of sadness.
However, we who are gathered here firmly believe in the power of prayer, and we will always live in harmony with the people of every nation of the world. Even though we live far apart, we are guided by our faiths to deepen our understanding and respect for one another.
Whoever we are and whatever our circumstances may be, we continue to work for peace in our own way, for it is deeply inscribed in our hearts that this is how we carry out the divine will.
Merciful deities of heaven and earth, may we soon manifest a world as serene as the morning calm over the ocean, and may we live in true happiness, where people forgive each other, support each other and smile at each other.
Prayed by all participants in Japanese
O deities of heaven and earth, cleanse and purify us.
O deities of heaven and earth, protect and bless us.
Dr. T. Kenjitsu Nagasaki (Buddhism)
President and Founder of the Heiwa Peace and Reconciliation Foundation of New York, United States
Message
On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Symphony of Peace Prayers, I would like to lead a peace prayer from the Japanese Buddhist Traditions.
Prince Shotoku (574-622) said, “Peace is the most valued, non-violence is essential” in the year 604, at the beginning of Chapter 1 of his Seventeen-Article Constitution. Its spirit of ‘wa’, the Japanese word for peace and harmony, has been burned into the hearts of the Japanese people over 1,400 years of history.
These words can truly be called a prayer for peace and non-violence. In other words, it is a prayer that says, “May this world be a world of peace and harmony. May this world be free of violence and war.”
I believe that the reason why Japan is a peaceful country even though it has been involved in wars in the past is because the Japanese people have this spirit of ‘wa’ (peace) and prayer for peace.
Practicing peaceful hearts, peaceful words, and peaceful actions continuously becomes our strength. I would like to have this spirit of peace and harmony not only for Japanese people, but also for people all over the world.
Prayed by Dr. Nagasaki in Sanskrit
May all the sentient beings be healthy, peaceful and happy.
May all the sentient beings be free from greed, anger and ignorance.
May this world be peaceful and harmonious, without violence and wars.
I take refuge in the Buddha (awakened one to the universal truth)
I take refuge in the Dharma (teachings of the truth)
I take refuge in the Sangha (those who practice the Buddha-Dharma)
I take refuge in the Buddha of Boundless Light and Life.
Prayed by all participants in Japanese
May all the sentient beings be healthy, peaceful and happy.
May all the sentient beings be free from greed, anger and ignorance.
May this world be peaceful and harmonious, without violence and wars.
Mr. Yogesh Mathuria (Hinduism)
Founder of World School of Happiness, India
Message
Namaskar friends,
I am sharing with you my thoughts on the power of prayer. Over the last twenty years, I have been deeply connected with prayer. My day starts with prayer and ends with prayer. Right from childhood, my father used to do that, but I never really understood the power of prayer.
I feel so blessed that, these days, my day starts very early in the morning with prayer, and I also end my day with prayer. Prayer has transformed my life completely. It has brought in lots of seeds of inner peace. Now, I am so happy that the same power of prayer is extended in the lives of my daughters, my family, and my Ashram team members.
Once again, it’s a pleasure to share with you my thoughts on the power of prayer. Jai Jagat.
Prayed by Mr. Mathuria in Sanskrit
[Meaning of the prayer] This prayer invokes Lord Krishna’s blessings and protection, shielding devotees from negativities and adversities. Removal of suffering: by recognizing Lord Krishna as the remover of sufferings, the mantra can help alleviate physical, mental, and spiritual afflictions.
Prayed by all participants in Sanskrit
Om, (O Lord) Keep me not in (the Phenomenal World of) Unreality, but make me go towards the Reality (of Eternal Self)
Keep me not in (the Ignorant State of) Darkness, but make me go towards the Light (of Spiritual Knowledge)
Keep me not in (the World of) Mortality, but make me go towards the World of Immortality (of Self-Realization)
Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.
Lastly, Masami Saionji offered her own message, then read an original poem titled “Creation of the Universe” and led participants in the prayer May peace prevail on Earth.
Message
There are various religions in the world, and each has its own prayers for peace. It’s like having different paths, all leading to the same destination. And so, I believe that the power of all these prayers is one and the same.
Whatever our religion may be, our prayer connects us with what we believe in the deepest part of our being, and it brings all hearts together as one. When we pray from deep within our heart, our prayer connects us with what we truly believe. Prayer is a process of connecting with our deep, essential being.
Therefore, people who pray are unknowingly deepening and uplifting their spirituality.
Through prayer, our inner divine spark begins to resonate, and as we continue to pray, our sacred divine nature is further drawn out. This, I believe, is true prayer.
To live is to acknowledge the sacred nature within ourselves. It’s because we have this sacredness within us that we are able to live our lives.
Through prayer, we become aware of our inner, sacred, divine nature, and our heart naturally overflows with gratitude for being sustained by something incredibly great. Prayer brings us an enormous power for living a wonderful life in which our true, innate divine nature is revealed.
By manifesting their own divine nature through prayer, the person’s prayers become even more beneficial for the Earth and humanity. This circulating power, I believe, is the strength and beauty of human prayer.
Prayed by Mrs. Saionji in Japanese
Creation of the Universe
When we quiet our mind and pray, we feel the prayerful life of all living things.
Our prayers become the energy of love and healing, embracing the Earth, humanity, and all living things, and bringing all back to life.
The creation of a new planet Earth begins.
Even when human beings forget to pray, the earth, the seas, the mountains, and all living things go on praying
For the time when humanity will awaken.
When we quiet our mind and pray, we feel the prayerful life of all living things.
Our prayers become light, illuminating the divinity in each and every human being.
At that time, the Earth, humanity, all life and all living things become one,
And a new symphony of life resonates with the Universe.
Prayed by all participants in Japanese
May peace prevail on Earth. (repeated three times)
Following Mrs. Saionji’s prayer, a message appeared on screen inviting participants to “take a moment to let the energy of these prayers resonate out to the world,” by closing their eyes and focusing their thoughts on sending out this prayer energy.