SOPP 2021 at Fuji Sanctuary
Amidst the worldwide efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the 17th Symphony of Peace Prayers was held online, via a live-stream presentation on YouTube. SOPP participants around the world were invited to take part in the ceremony by tuning in to the live broadcast. The recorded broadcast can be viewed below.
Watch the live stream from Fuji Sanctuary here (live-streamed on May 16, 11am Japan time):
Download the SOPP 2021 English program guide to join in the prayers.
Each year, the SOPP celebrates humanity’s common wish for a world of peace and harmony, through a show of interfaith unity and with shared prayers 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 introduction of the Divine Spark IN (2018).
In 2021, the SOPP continues its mission to reignite the divine spark within all human beings, for the dawning of a world where peace and human dignity are cherished above all else—where every way of life is accepted and celebrated, where all people are treated with kindness and love, and where everyone is free to live the life they wish for.
This year, because local prayer ceremonies and gatherings would not be taking place, all SOPP organizers and participants from all parts of the world were invited to join in an online Symphony of Peace Prayers, through a live stream video presentation from Fuji Sanctuary. Together, participants created a virtual field of prayer spanning the entire globe.
The program for the live stream broadcast was as follows:
Welcoming remarks
Praying with the Religions of the World
Song of Shining Divinity (new)
Fuji Declaration Presentation
Introduction of the Divine Spark IN
Gratitude for All Life on Earth
Prayers for Peace in Each Country
Closing remarks
The following prayer leaders led religious prayers at this year’s event:
The Rev. Canon Dr. Charles P. Gibbs (Christianity)
Mr. Mark N. Zion (Judaism)
Mr. Humayun A. Mughal (Islam Sufism)
Mr. Masahiko Dobashi (Shintoism)
Mr. Shokei Matsumoto (Buddhism)
Dr. Mother A. Mangalam (Hinduism)
Other presenters:
Hereditary Chief Phil Lane Jr. (Gratitude for All Life on Earth)
rocomoon (musical performer)
Rev. Deborah Moldow (musical performer)
A full report on the ceremony will be posted later in our Archives.
Participants were also invited to contribute to an SOPP 2021 Word Cloud, adding a word to express their experience of the ceremony. The resulting word cloud is shown here.
To everyone who took part in this year’s online SOPP, we invite you to send us your experience and impressions, along with a photo of yourself (if possible, taken while joining in the SOPP). Please send these by email to sopp.overseas@gmail.com.
May Peace Prevail on Earth!