A New Chapter in Brazil’s Religious History
Hearts and Hands United — Interfaith Prayer Gathering for World Peace Successfully Held in Brazil

On May 17, 2026, a historic interfaith peace gathering was grandly held at the Memorial da America Latina in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Organized by Zendi Temple in collaboration with religious groups from across Brazil, the event, titled “Hearts and Hands United — Interfaith Prayer Gathering for World Peace,” brought together representatives from more than forty different religions and faith traditions. United in prayer for world peace, human harmony, and the well-being of all beings, the atmosphere was solemn yet harmonious, deeply moving all attendees and marking a meaningful milestone in Brazil’s interfaith dialogue.

Early that morning, volunteers from Zendi Temple arrived at the venue to begin preparations. From displays of religious culture and charitable relief efforts, to the world peace prayer area, as well as exhibitions of the calligraphy and paintings of Living Buddha Liansheng and Buddhist cultural displays, the entire venue radiated an atmosphere of peace, warmth, and dignity.

After noon, representatives from Buddhism, Catholicism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, African traditional religions, Indigenous spiritual traditions, and Shamanism gradually gathered at the venue. Though differing in faith and culture, all came with the same aspiration — to pray for a world free from war, for a more harmonious society, and for humanity to return to kindness and compassion.

At 2:00 p.m., the ceremony officially began with the resonant sound of bells. Guided by solemn music, representatives of the various faiths slowly entered the hall, immersing the audience in an atmosphere of serenity and sacredness. The grand stage design, combined with lighting, music, and visual projections, created a breathtaking spectacle. A thematic video titled “Hand in Hand, Heart in Heart” deeply touched many in attendance.

The video depicted scenes of wars, disasters, and suffering around the world, while also conveying humanity’s longing for peace. Many audience members watched silently with tears welling in their eyes, as the entire venue became filled with profound and heartfelt emotion.

Following this, Master Lianha (蓮訶) of Zendi Temple delivered an address, noting that many people in today’s world continue to suffer from war, disasters, and pain. Faced with global unrest, he said, people should not only grieve, but also reflect on what they themselves can do for the world. The master emphasized that while the power of one individual or even one religion may be limited, when all religions are willing to set aside differences and pray together for the world, they can unite a force of goodness and peace capable of transforming the world.

His sincere and compassionate words deeply moved the audience and helped many rediscover the true value of religion as a shared commitment to safeguarding humanity’s future rather than a source of division.

Representatives from the Brazilian government and leaders from various religious communities then took turns speaking, expressing high praise for the event. They unanimously agreed that this was not merely a religious gathering, but also an important occasion promoting cultural exchange, social harmony, and world peace, embodying the spirit of mutual respect, inclusion, and coexistence among different faiths.

Among the most moving moments of the event was the collective prayer offered by representatives of different religions. One after another, they prayed and offered blessings for world peace according to their own traditions. Though the rituals and languages differed, the aspiration in everyone’s heart was the same.

There was no sense of distance between religions, nor barriers between cultures, only sincere respect and mutual blessings. Many attendees shared emotionally that it was the first time they had experienced such warmth and harmony among different religions standing together as one.

During the united prayer segment, Masters Lianha, Lianjia (蓮伽), along with Masters Lianyue (蓮悅) and Lianzhi (蓮緻), who had traveled from afar to participate in the event, ascended the center stage together. Standing respectively at the four gates of the Kalachakra Mandala and facing the four directions, the four masters performed mudras for calamity eradication, blessing, love and respect, and deliverance with graceful, flowing movements, praying for world peace.

At that moment, the entire venue was permeated with a powerful spiritual presence, majestic and sacred. It felt as though the whole space was enveloped by a pure and immense energy. An indescribable spiritual force filled the air, inspiring awe and reverence, while countless attendees were moved to tears.

A profound silence filled the hall as all members of Zendi Temple and the assembled guests joined their palms and bowed their heads in prayer. The sincerity and compassion shared in praying for the world deeply touched everyone present, and many quietly shed tears of emotion.

The final “Lighting of the Lamps” blessing ceremony then brought the entire gathering to its most touching climax.

As the lights gradually dimmed, the theme song “Hearts and Hands United” once again filled the hall, while all attendees lit the lamps in their hands. The countless points of light resembled rays of hope shining through the darkness, gently illuminating the entire venue. Representatives from more than forty religions held their lamps together, forming a heart-shaped symbol of love and peace. Standing side by side, hand in hand without distinction, they united as one.

At that very moment, the LED floor at center stage displayed a magnificent image of the blue Earth. Surrounding the “Earth,” everyone prayed together for world peace, as though the whole world had gathered within that circle of light and compassion. The scene was solemn and sacred, warm yet awe-inspiring. Some wept for world peace; others were deeply moved by the spirit of tolerance and universal love among religions.

In that moment, there were no divisions of religion and no boundaries between nations, only sincere hearts praying for peace on Earth. Many were profoundly touched by the scene, and some remarked emotionally, “Though the world may hold many different faiths, compassion and peace remain humanity’s universal language.”

This “Hearts and Hands United — Interfaith Prayer Gathering for World Peace” not only demonstrated the rare unity and inclusiveness among Brazil’s religious communities, but also showed that different religions can transcend their differences and work hand in hand to bring light and hope to the world.

Though the event has successfully concluded, the power of peace, compassion, and unity continues to remain deeply within people’s hearts. May this aspiration for peace, arising from Brazil, become a warm light that spreads throughout every corner of the world.

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