HISTORY OF MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH 
      

 
The Universal Message and Prayer for world peace, May Peace Prevail On Earth, was authored in 1955 by the late Masahisa Goi of Japan. In a moment of great inspiration and deep prayer, Mr. Goi awakened to the need to spread this Message and Prayer in the hearts of the global community for the attainment of inner and outer peace.
 

The first seeds were planted in Ishikawa, Japan where a small gathering of peace workers gathered around Mr. Goi to listen to his philosophy and visions for a better world. Mr. Goi came to be respected as a great master in his field throughout Japan and his ideals for peace on earth gained much support.

Small neighborhood gatherings grew larger in numbers throughout Japan and the movement started to gain momentum. Stickers and posters started to appear on store fronts, public bulletin boards, and telephone poles.
 

Supporters handed out literature and stickers to the public in front of train stations and other public locations.
 
 
Mr. Goi encouraged creative ways in order to carry the message to public view. In 1976, the idea of placing the Peace Message and Prayer on poles began to gain popularity. This was the first impulse which led to the beginnings of The Peace Pole Project.

With the passing of Mr. Goi in 1983, his adopted daughter, Masami Saionji became Chairperson of the peace movement. Through the directives of Mrs. Saionji, the movement began to expand and gain international recognition.
 
 
The World Peace Prayer and Flag Ceremony was created by Mrs. Saionji in 1983 as a global celebration of the oneness of humanity. The first Ceremony outside of Japan was held in Los Angeles, California - USA, in 1986 and since then, it has been presented to international audiences on every continent and in every prominent city throughout the world.
 
 
The first Peace Poles outside of Japan began to appear in towns and cities around the world in the early 1980''s. By 1986, The Peace Pole Project was established in the United States followed by Peace Pole activities in Europe and throughout the world. To date there are over 100,000 thousand Peace Poles planted worldwide.

Through the efforts of members and supporters worldwide, the Message and Prayer, May Peace Prevail On Earth continued to gain international recognition and prominence. In 1988 the World Peace Prayer Society was incorporated as a nonprofit, non-sectarian organization and established its world headquarters in New York City-USA.

In 1990, the Society was accepted as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in affiliation with the Department of Public Information of the United Nations.

In 2001, the Society''s headquarters was moved to its present location at the World Peace Sanctuary in Wassaic, New York-USA.
 
 
 
 In August of 2008, Mr. and Mrs. Saionji, President and Chairperson of the Society, were awarded the Philosopher Saint Shree Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize in Pune India.  Within the same month, The World Peace Prayer Society celebrated its 20th Anniversary of incorporation in the United States of America at The World Peace Sanctuary, in Wassaic, New York. Peace Representatives of The World Peace Prayer Society, supporters and friends, joined us in celebration in honor of the Peace Award and the 20th Anniversary ceremony.
 
 
 
Over half a century has passed since the introduction of the Universal Message and Prayer, May Peace Prevail On Earth.  The vision of the founder Masahisa Goi has been embraced by people the world over. Over 100,000 Peace Poles have been dedicated by friends and supporters in over 190 countries around the world.  The World Peace Prayer and Flag Ceremonies have been presented on every continent and in every major city throughout the world. Most importantly, the peace Prayer, May Peace Prevail On Earth lives and resonates in the hearts of our global community.

To this day, the movement to spread the Universal Message and Prayer, May Peace Prevail On Earth, continues to unfold in the spirit of love, peace and global oneness.