Japanese monks pray for world peace

The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Japanese Buddhist monks from the International Zen Exchange Friendship Association (IZEFA) pray at Borobudur Temple in Central Java.

The monks prayed on Sunday for world peace, as well as for the Japanese and Indonesians who died during World War II, when the Japanese occupied Indonesia.

The prayer was led by IZEFA Kyoto president Shuman Hoshi Noritake.

Earlier, the monks participated in prayers at the Yogyakarta Palace with representatives of the different religions in Indonesia, including Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism and Buddhism.

Speaking at the joint prayers, Yogyakarta Sultan Hamengkubuwono X called on all parties to pursue their "interests in a peaceful manner".

"Our interests often force us to take whatever means necessary, including means that go against peace and humanity .... When violence is used, that is the beginning for the emergence of more violence," he said.

IZEFA's Noritake expressed hope that the joint prayers would help spread peace across the world.

IZEFA, established in 2000, is an international association of Zen Buddhists aimed at developing "world friendship" and spiritual cooperation among followers of different religions around the world.