To All Peace Letter Readers

We have received the report of the International Online Peace Ceremony linked with the International Day of Peace from Ms. Sonoko Tanaka, and we would like to share it with you.

20-9-2026 IDP Online Peace Ceremony report with gratitude and comments

Dear everyone,

Thank you all for participating in our 7th international online ceremony “Prayers for Peace and Gratitude to the Earth” on Sunday 20th September, linked with IDP. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you: those who joined us online via Zoom or YouTube; those who sent their thoughts and offered prayers for peace; and those who watched the recording later and prayed with us.

We have continued to hold this event together with Caroline from Allanton Peace Sanctuary, European members, and those at the Osaka Byakko Center. And I truly feel that we could continue because we are supported by all of you who take part, and above all, that we all together are building each moment of the ceremony. When we pray for peace in different languages from around the world, one country at a time, although I cannot hear your voices, I could clearly sense, through the beautiful vibrations of love emanating from you all, that we were a choir in unison and offering the words of peace prayer with One Heart. When forming the Divine Spark IN, my heart and my prayer room here in Italy were enveloped in powerful energy, and I was deeply moved, feeling such a pure vibration spreading to every corner of the Earth, to people all over the world, and out into the universe. Thank you so, so much.

And, as I reflect on this every year, the voice leaders and IN leaders from Japan and overseas, each fulfilled their roles with great dedication while working in perfect harmony with others, and creating a beautiful, flowing symphony of peace. Everyone’s consciousness was truly light-filled; I found myself drawn into the deep vibrations of prayer overflowing from the various languages spoken in turn, and although I cannot speak all the languages of the world, I naturally melted into the resonance of each one, feeling as though I were there amongst the people of each country, surrounded by its beautiful natural landscape.

Ten people from Japan had just arrived at Allanton Sanctuary at midnight the previous day, just as one week-long retreat was about to begin. Despite the fatigue of their journey and the effects of jet lag, they all joined us from Allanton prayer room and encouraged us.

I cannot thank enough the members of the Osaka Peace Ceremony Committee, including the flag team, for their calm and skillful handling of the technical aspects each year, as well as their meticulous collaboration in organizing every moment of the ceremony down to the finest detail. This year, I was unable to share the video quickly; in fact, I had discovered a new method the day before to improve the sound quality and intended to use it during the event, but as I am not very tech-savvy, I couldn’t get it to work straight away, and I am truly sorry that I kept everyone waiting. Please rest assured that next year, the Osaka team will be taking charge of that aspect as well. However, despite the various issues that arose during the online ceremony, I managed to remain calm right until the end without panicking or getting flustered, and I was delighted to see that I had grown in that respect.

There was also a problem with South America, but looking back, it was all rather strange in many ways. Of course, even at a time like that, thanks to everyone watching over us with such warmth and generosity while waiting patiently, we were able to correct the mistake and bring the event to a successful close, for which I am very grateful.

In fact, just as some first South American countries’ flags were showed incorrectly, Caroline’s computer crashed, and she ran to another room to try and continue as a voice leader from a different computer. After a while, her computer came back online, and she was able to log back in. As for me, Argentina—the first South American country—is a country I know very well and have friends in, and I’m very familiar with its flag; normally, I’d also recognize the flag of Uruguay immediately upon seeing it. Yet, for some reason, during the ceremony, I mistook the Uruguayan flag for the Argentine one, and because I kept saying “That’s Argentina”, the flag team were delayed in making the correction.

This is purely my own personal thought, but afterwards I found myself wondering, ‘Perhaps the Guardian deities of South America were at a special work in some way within the countries of South America, and that is why things have come to a bit of a standstill there?’ Of course, this is not an excuse at all, nevertheless, I felt I wanted to share it.

Finally, the sharing of thoughts on peace by every staff member, both from Japan and Europe, was truly wonderful again this year, so I would like to continue this from next year onwards as well. I will share with you the staff members’ messages in a separate file.

▼ Ceremony report with gratitude and comments (PDF)

20-9-2026 IDP Online Peace Ceremony report with gratitude and comments.pdf

▼ Peace messages from the ceremony staff (PDF)

2026 Peace messages from IDP ceremony staff.pdf

I know this report is getting very long but please allow me to share below the feedback we received from the participants.

Thank you all so much for being with us again this year.

If any of you who have received this email would like to watch the ceremony, a recording is available via the link below.

(Sections where we had some problems have been edited out.)

https://youtube.com/live/RkmQCPhnZoU?feature=share

With heartfelt love and gratitude to each and every one of you, Sonoko Tanaka

————The following are comments from participants.——–

(The first three are not Byakko members, they joined us and shared some wonderful comments.)

1. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for organizing today’s ceremony and for inviting me. It was a truly moving moment to see so many people connected from all over the world, united by a shared desire for peace. Hearing the words of prayer for peace resound in so many languages reminded me once again just how important it is for our community to continue nurturing this message every day. May Peace Prevail on Earth

2. I was so moved by everyone’s pure intentions that I felt as though I, too, had been purified. It was a truly sacred experience, and my heart is still filled with warmth. I am deeply grateful to have been able to pray together with you all.

3. The prayers for each country were so beautiful, and I was moved by the wonderful moments of praying in unison with people from all over the world.

4. Although there were a few moments when things didn’t flow quite smoothly, those very moments actually resonated with me. Rather than simply letting prayer flow by, I felt I was able to pause, truly be present, and participate more deeply. In particular, the Japanese staff members’ peace messages—about simple, humble moments of happiness—I found myself thinking, ‘Me too! Me too!!!’ and I could relate to them so much. It made me so happy.

5. It was truly a wonderful time! A huge success! A great achievement! Thank you so much! My heart was filled with the thought of just how much light and love must have been poured onto the Earth through this moment…

And, as if reflecting that light and love, I felt that love overflowing from the hearts of each and every person gathered there, and that everyone was truly sparkling and radiant.

The moment when each member of the staff shared a few words expressing their thoughts was also truly wonderful. The beauty and richness of diversity stem precisely from the fact that each person is different. Yet, deep down in my heart, I felt that the world is truly one.

People connect with one another, transcending countries, cultures and languages. Someday, truly, a world where borders disappear from the heart will surely become a reality! I even felt that sense of hope.

I am deeply grateful that you have made this a reality in such a tangible way.

I also thank for the meticulous preparation and coordination by the organizers, and for their hearts filled with love and peace!

I feel truly blessed that we all were connected to each other through deep prayer!