Over the past four years, the Symphony of Peace Prayers has been building a network of spiritual leaders, peace workers, and prominent figures in a variety of fields who support the message and the goals of this unique event. At this year’s ceremony, a few of the honored guests in attendance prepared messages or presentations of their own to share with participants.
Rt. Rev. Yoshinobu Miake, Director General, Konko Church of Izuo (Japan)
My congratulations on today’s Symphony of Peace Prayers ceremony. It was four years ago when I first heard about the SOPP from Chairperson Masami Saionji, during her visit to our Konko Church in Izuo. Although I was invited to participate in the event at that time, my schedule did not permit me to attend the SOPP until last year. What I felt at last year’s ceremony, and what I feel even more strongly today, is the power of over 10,000 people gathering at the foot of magnificent Mt. Fuji—and hundreds of thousands more joining us in prayer through the Internet. Over the past 30 or so years, I have participated in hundreds of interreligious conferences all over the world for the purpose of creating peace on Earth. I have had the opportunity to join with several Popes, the Dalai Lama, heads of state, and Nobel prize-winning scholars. But each time, I have thought to myself: “This alone is not enough. The wisdom collected here, and Symphony of Peace Prayers 2008 21 the sincere wishes for peace being expressed, should be shared with people everywhere.”
I felt this because the lives of everyday ordinary people are the most important factor in manifesting world peace. No matter how splendid a religious leader or head of state may be, it is meaningless if their congregations and citizens maintain an egocentric attitude, putting their own well-being above all else. It is the same with the problem of global warming. The accumulation of many people thinking, “I am just one person—it doesn’t matter if I use too much water or energy,” has created the crisis that we confront today. Throughout the world, at the headquarters of major religions, we expect to see spectacular cathedrals, mosques, and temples. But here at Fuji Sanctuary, there is no such structure. Of course, there is Mt. Fuji soaring up to the heavens, but needless to say, it does not belong to Byakko Shinko Kai. At Fuji Sanctuary, there is only a large open field, where people sit freely on the
ground.
However, this land is a sanctuary—a sacred place—because it is filled with the prayers of Byakko members and friends. What makes a place sacred is not an impressive cathedral, but the power of the prayers offered by people who gather there. In this sense, Fuji Sanctuary is a sanctuary among sanctuaries—a site on par with Jerusalem, Mecca, and other holy sites. In advance of the G8 Heads of State Summit to be held in Hokkaido this summer, I will be serving as General Secretary of the “G8 Religious Leaders Summit,” to be held in Osaka and Kyoto from June 27 to 29. Religious leaders from all over the world—developing nations and well as industrialized nations— will gather to openly exchange their opinions about various problems that the world is facing today. The results of this discussion will form the basis of a “Proposal from Religious Leaders,” to be submitted to the G8 political
leaders via the Japanese government. Here, too, the important point is that it will not be enough for our proposal to be simply a well-written declaration. It must contain a prayer filled with power, that will stir the souls of the world leaders, and that will reach people around the world through the thousands of journalists who will be in Japan to report on the summit. It is my wish that all of you gathered here at Fuji Sanctuary and around the world—including those who join us through the Internet—will unite your voices in prayer, so that our prayers will touch the hearts of the world’s political leaders. May peace prevail on Earth. Thank you very much.
Mr. Ren Enpu, Director, Chinese Nationality Folk Culture and Art
Mr. Zhang Yong Sheng reading the message from Mr. Ren Enpu of words. This is something with which I wholeheartedly agree, and I would like to promote the importance of words in China. I am sure that the work of Byakko Shinko Kai will receive more and more support from people around the world, and that humanity’s wisdom will increasingly be put toward the development of world peace. I believe that the prayer May peace prevail on Earth will penetrate deep into the hearts of all humanity, and that the peace activities of Byakko Shinko Kai will spread and be p ut into practice worldwide. I believe that it has to happen.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for your invitation to attend this year’s Symphony of Peace Prayers, a ceremony that is truly significant in manifesting peace on Earth. Although I was greatly anticipating
participating in the ceremony and meeting all of you, a sudden change in circumstances prevents me from making the trip. I look forward to the next opportunity to visit Fuji Sanctuary. From the bottom of my heart, I pray for the great success of this event. Once again, let me say, May peace prevail on Earth!
Ms. WindEagle Kinney-Linton and Mr. RainbowHawk Kinney-Linton,
Co-founders and Directors, Ehama Institute (United States)
We are being called, each one of us, as the humans, to realize that we are of the Divine Spirit of the Universe. We are each that Divine Light of life-giving energy to bring into the world. In the words of the great teacher Black Elk, an Oglala Sioux of long ago, “This realization in the souls of the people is the First Peace. All other peace flows from this.” Our prayer and vision of this time now, is that people around the world help each other to awaken to this realization of the First Peace. This will transform our world.
The following prayer was recited in harmony with all the participants, bringing on a strong sense of oneness.
Aho! Sacred, great mystery, hear us!
We are your spirit children!
We send our prayer-thoughts out into the universe.
To the great spirit of the universe, we send our voice, that all our human family, of all nations, remember our true nature, that we are light, that we are spirit in substance, that we are all related, that we are all a part of the sacred web of life.
In gratitude, we stand.
In gratitude, we sing.
In gratitude, we send our voice.
We stand for love.
We stand for peace.
We stand for hope.
We stand for unity.
We stand for compassion.
We sing our gratitude.
Sister Rajini Daulatram, Area Coordinator, Brahma Kumaris, and Ms. Mizue Honda, Brahma Kumaris Tokyo Centre (Japan)
Om Shanti, greetings of peace.
Peace is our birthright.
Peace is our religion.
Peace is also our state of mind.
Peace is our way of life.
Because our original nature as human beings is peace.
Because we belong to one God, who is the bestower of peace.
We all have come from our home of peace on this Earth to play our parts.
So, let us now feel that peace in our minds.
Along with two other Brahma Kumaris Sisters, Sister Rajini invited all the participants to a moment of silent meditation.
Sit, relax, and let us have a few minutes of meditation.
Visualize in your mind that I am a point of light— peaceful light. I give peaceful vibrations to this atmosphere, and to the world. I am peaceful. I spread peace to the souls who are suffering in sorrow.
Om Shanti. I am peace.
