Shinmeizan: Biennial meeting of Prayer for Peace

On October 5th Shinmeizan celebrated the 11th biennial meeting of its partners of interreligious dialogue. Following a 20 years tradition, the meeting took the form of prayers for peace in the world, offered in succession by the representatives of each religious tradition, one after the other, at the presence of all. 

Notwithstanding the rain and the wind caused by typhoon n. 18 passing by, more than fifty representatives of nine different religious traditions took part in the meeting. A number of friends of Shinmeizan were also present to help in welcoming them. 

At the beginning of the meeting, Fr.Franco recalled the role of religions in bringing about world peace, because peace originates from the heart of people. 

Father Sonoda, then, briefly referred to the actual world situation threatened by several tragic wars, especially in Syria, Irak, Nigeria.

Sr. Maria De Giorgi shared her experience of participating, also this year, in international interreligious meetings of prayer for peace, particularly at Hieizan (Kyoto), on August 4th, and at Antwerpen (Belgium) on Sept. 7-9.

The religious Traditions represented at the meeting were: Omoto, Tendai Buddhism, Seimeizan Schweitzer Temple, Pure Land Buddhism, Risshokoseikai, Tenrikyo, Byakko Shinko Kai, Catholics and Lutherans. Representing the Catholic Church, this year, were Father Felipe Lopez, SX, Pastor of the Catholic Church of Tamana, where Shinmeizan is situated, and Fr. Rocco Viviano, SX, who also represented the Regional Superior of the Xaverians.

The prayer meeting was followed, as usual, by a simple but friendly party. This biennial meeting brings together the principal "partners" of interreligious dialogue with whom Shinmeizan entertains a constant relation of mutual friendship, offering to all of them the chance of a periodic common encounter, appreciated by all.