The 3rd Annual World Interfaith Water Ceremony For Religious Harmony

In by Jeffery Nakama

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2020-02-26

Country: United States
City: Honolulu, Hawaii

(808) 264-6555

  • Organizer

    Universal Peace Federation Hawaii Chapter

  • Location

    Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies

  • Email

    [email protected]

The Universal Peace Federation, Hawaii Chapter held its 3rd Annual World Interfaith Water Ceremony for Religious Harmony event. The event took place on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at the University of Hawaii, Center for Hawaiian Studies. A Hawaiian priest opened the event with the loud blast of the seashell and chanted a welcome prayer to the participants! Commendations were read from the Governor of Hawaii and the Mayor of Honolulu. About 60 people attended. They were wonderful food, entertainment and an introduction to the water ceremony. Eight major world religions (Bahai, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, Shintoism) and 2 worldwide (Hawaiian Religion and Unificationism) denomination participated in the interfaith water ceremony. Participants came up one at a time in alphabetical order of their faith, read 1 minute from their sacred text or prayed, and then poured a cup of sacred water into a bowl. After the last participant had poured his water into the bowl everyone (audience and participants) prayed 1 minute for religious harmony and world peace. All participants and religious/spiritual leaders present were asked to sign a World Interfaith Harmony Resolution. The resolution is a pledge to promote interfaith harmony through activities that can lead to a more peaceful community and world. The mixed sacred water from the bowl was divided into 3 parts and poured (after prayer) around 2 peace poles, the mountain and the  ocean. This symbolized interfaith harmony on the land, mountain and ocean throughout Hawaii and the Pacific Rim Region.