Following the SOPP at Fuji Sanctuary, several of the guests and participants were kind enough to give their impressions of the ceremony. We are pleased to offer a few of these impressions here.
Fr. Nobuaki Tanaka
I think that, originally, there is no conflict among religions. What people call ‘religious conflicts’ are conflicts among human beings, not among divinities. A conflict occurs when people see their own faith as absolute, to the exclusion of others. This is not true religion, but is the result of human beings’ selfishness. It is egoism that keeps us from reaching the essence of our faith. The essence of religion includes harmony and order with all existence, so there can be no conflict. If people look at their own faith from a relative, rather than absolute, point of view, and listen to what others say, their willingness to learn will lead to understanding and tolerance. From this attitude arises a humility which completes our humanity. In fact, both humanity and humility originate from the Latin word humus, meaning ‘earth’ or ‘ground.’ The Japanese gesture of bowing deeply is a posture in which we bring ourselves close to the ground (humus). This is humanity’s original state of being. I became a Christian by my own choice. I was born and raised in a Buddhist family, without choosing that faith. Now, I wish to live as a Christian who was born and raised that way without choosing it. It takes a great deal of effort to live this way. But all I need to do is to walk the path that is laid out for me. Having the treasure of the Buddhist teachings on my back, I am able to taste the depth and the universality of the words of Jesus Christ. There are several routes to reach the top of Mt. Fuji, but all these routes bring us to the same summit. We can climb different mountain trails and meet at the top to see the sunrise there together. But first, why don’t we share a drink under the same moonlight?
Rabbi Henri Noach
It was a beautiful ceremony—very meaningful. As a representative of the Jewish faith and of the Jewish people here in Japan, I am happy that I can be an integral part of this important event. To be able to participate with all nations in promoting the ideal of peace is a very important achievement. Also, I feel that to be able to sit and pray together with people of the Muslim faith, is like building a bridge for peace. It is a wonderful opportunity.
This is my third time to join in this ceremony, and I am always moved by the flag ceremony. This year, the music was different from before, and it added a new component to the ceremony. Music is the language of the soul and often we can express more in music than we can with words. In what we call the Talmud there is a commentary that says the essence of worship is song. That was almost 2000 years ago, and it is still true today. With music, you don’t need translations. Everybody can feel the same.
Ms. WindEagle Kinney-Linton
I felt a quickening energy, and saw that this is the model for the people in the world to honor many traditions and that many people are willing to pray for the whole planet, to pray for every country, and to realize that we are related as humanity, and that it is time for us to remember that we live on one planet and that our diversity is what makes us rich. It is a very, very important model.
Mr. RainbowHawk Kinney-Linton
I felt great gathering’s collective energy that was allowed to come out. As the way the whole was developed, it built. So I felt a real power rising from the field, going out. It thought it was well planed. It was very beautiful in the setting and very moving to see all the people coming together to send this out. I really felt the energy moving out.
Impressions from the Prayer Field!
This is the fourth time that I have attended the SOPP. I felt a happy sensation spreading inside my chest, thinking that peace would really be achieved on Earth. The music was also wonderful. I felt as if it directly connected me with heaven, or the universe.
One of the things I enjoyed most was the prayers prayed in the languages of all the countries of the world. Once in a while, when it was quiet around me, I could hear the waves of sound echoing in from all the people, all over the prayer field. When everyone is saying the prayer at the same time, the voices become one and you feel like there is no separation between the people. We experience something similar in our form of yoga and meditation. We do a lot of chanting of mantras, and when the sounds merge it transcends all differences among people. Today, when we did the prayers and I looked out over the group, and heard all the voices in unison, this is exactly what I felt. It opened my heart and I felt teary. Also, when I saw all the flags, it emphasized to me how many differences there are in the world and how much healing we all need. At the same time, seeing all the flags together really brought out to me that we are all one. Obviously, today’s ceremony shows that something good is happening here, to meet the challenge of expanding our consciousness.
It was wonderful! Infinite gratitude—that’s all I felt! I was holding the national flag of Senegal, when I strongly felt that my life has been sustained up to now. I was completely unified with the national deity of Senegal, the nation’s leaders, and the people who were awakening. All of us were one, and we tried really hard to make this ceremony a great success. I could really feel the participants were trying their best to attain world peace. I was very grateful that my physical body was used as a divine vessel to fulfill my mission for world peace. The music was fantastic, too. The flow of nature, wind, and air were perfectly harmonized, and I felt oneness with all of them. Splendid !
What moved me today was Fr. Tanaka of the Dominican Order. Just hearing his voice, I could not stop my tears. I don’t know why, but this only occurred with him. I feel I must have had some kind of relationship with him—I have never experienced anything like it. Also, Mr. Currell’s music made me a feeling as if I was somewhere high, high above Fuji Sanctuary. It was so refreshing. 3 My mood changes just being around here, being with the people who are so kind and sweet. I think this is the best place in Japan. It makes me so happy just greeting and speaking with people. Praying for world peace is the most important thing. The music was very special and different—very gentle and quiet. Once you hear it, you want to hear it again. In the end, all religions are the same. All kinds of people say all kinds of things. But having come thus far, I think all people are one, like family or friends. It will be best for all of us, all together, to think about world peace. The procession of the flags was wonderful too. I think this place has nothing uncomfortable at all. And I believe we’ll have more and more good things coming out. I, of course, want to come here again next year. Thinking about the good of all people and praying together is the most important thing for us human beings. That’s the only thing we need to do.
When I was listening to Mr. Christopher Currell’s music, I felt very peaceful and comfortable. I think the unification of music and religion was perfect as this year’s theme.
Everything was impressive, but as usual, I was moved to tears by the entrance of the flags. I sincerely wished that peace would be quickly realized in the world, and that everyone would become happy. The music was so artistic and wonderful, too. I felt that all religions are really one—it’s just that they have taken different routes. The different prayers gave me no sense of being out of places.
