Byakko Magazine Issue 164 - Byakko Magazine

Masami Saionji is the chairperson of three organizations: Byakko Shinko Kai (www.byakko.org), The World Peace Prayer Society (www.worldpeace.org), and The Goi Peace Foundation (www.goipeace.or.jp). A native of Japan and a descendant of the Royal Ryukyu Family of Okinawa, she continues the work of her adoptive father, Masahisa Goi, who initiated a movement for world peace through the universal prayer May Peace Prevail on Earth.
As a spiritual leader and lecturer, she has touched thousands of people's lives through her guidance and inspiration. She travels globally on speaking tours, and has led peace ceremonies in many countries as well as at the United Nations and other international organizations. She has authored over twenty books in Japanese and eight in English and other languages. She is an honorary member of the Club of Budapest and a member of the World Wisdom Council.
She was awarded the Philosopher Saint Shree Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize of India along with her husband Hiroo in 2008. She is also the recipient of the 2010 WON Award honoring distinguished women leaders. In February 2013, Mrs. Saionji had the privilege of presenting the Symphony of Peace Prayers ceremony at the United Nations, in a special event entitled 'United for a Culture of Peace through Interfaith Harmony', which was hosted by the president of the UN General Assembly.
Mrs. Saionji and her husband currently live in Tokyo, and have three daughters, all working for peace. Born in Tokyo, Japan, on November 22, 1916, Masahisa Goi was a poet, philosopher, writer, and singer. Though he aimed at a career in music, he found himself spontaneously drawn to the realms of philosophy and spiritual guidance. At the age of 33 he attained oneness with his divine self. From that time on, he endeavored to reach out to people by holding informal talks, where anyone was invited to participate and ask questions.
He enjoyed this direct contact with people, and provided many with spiritual guidance toward the attainment of inner peace. Mr. Goi authored more than 60 books and volumes of poetry, including God and Man (his first and most fundamental work), One Who Unites Heaven and Earth (an autobiography of his early life), The Spirit of Lao Tsu, Essays on the Bible, How to Develop Your Spirituality, and Catch the Light, to name a few.
Translations of many of his works are in progress. Based on the universal prayer May Peace Prevail on Earth which he advocated, Masahisa Goi founded a worldwide movement of world peace through prayer, transcending religious, ethnic, and political boundaries. Before departing from this world in 1980, he named Mrs. Masami Saionji, his adopted daughter, as his successor and leader of the world peace prayer movement that he initiated.