[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's Peace Mural Unveiling Ceremony at Yeongjijung Temple of Munsujong Korean Buddhism

Chairman ManHee Lee is the head representative of the global peace organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), which is striving for the enactment and implementation of the international peace law 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)'. The DPCW is a legal instrument comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses that can end wars and hostilities throughout the world. HWPL is also spreading a culture of peace and implementing peace education.

Chairman ManHee Lee experienced the cruelty and tragedy of war as a veteran of the Korean War. This is one of the reasons why he founded a global peace campaign as the head of HWPL. He has traveled the globe more than 35 times to meet and persuade politicians, legal experts, journalists, professors, peace activists, civil organization leaders, heads of tribes and others to unite them for the work of peace. The significant fruits borne out of his hard work are the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit and HWPL Peace Committee. The DPCW was drafted and finalised by the HWPL Peace Committee.

How, you may wonder, do I know this? About 10 years ago, when I had just been discharged from military service, I came to know HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee while researching the topic of civil conflicts to satisfy my curiosity in ongoing global issues. At that time, the island of Mindanao in the Philippines was suffering from a major civil conflict that lasted more than 40 years, and Chairman ManHee Lee and HWPL resolved this conflict through non-violent means.

Chairman Lee brought an end to the conflict in Mindanao by holding a peace talk between the warring Catholic and Islamic groups. Before the talk, HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee held a Peace Walk to spread the culture of peace in Mindanao with the many locals who had gathered out of a desire for peace.

Chairman ManHee Lee's pressing appeal today is that humanity unites for sustainable peace in order to pass on the legacy of peace to future generations worldwide. He doesn't just talk peace, but has worked tirelessly for it through practical peace campaigns for over a decade.

I decided to become a supporter of HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee's peace initiatives because I also desire a world of peace for all posterity.

Today I'd like to introduce an article from HWPL official homepage regarding HWPL's WARP office :)

Peace Mural Unveiling Ceremony at Yeongjijeong Temple of Munsujong of Korean Buddhism in Gyeongju

(Left) Ven. Jigwang, Head Monk of Munsujong of Korean Buddhism, Ven. Doseon, Head Monk of Doseon temple, Ven. Beopryun, Head Monk of Geumdang temple

On July 30^th, the HWPL Peace Mural Unveiling Ceremony was held at Yeongjijeong Temple of Munsujong of Korean Buddhism in Bakdal-ri, Naeman-myeon, Gyeongju. 20 people attended the ceremony, including representatives of Buddhism, the Ven. Beopryun, Head Monk of Geumdang temple, and the Ven. Doseon, Head Monk of Doseon temple, as well as members of HWPL Global05 Branch.

Before the unveiling ceremony commenced, the Ven. Jigwang, Head Monk of Munsujong of Korean Buddhism, said, “Working with HWPL for peace gives me a strong belief that religious people should take a very active part in the work for world peace.” He also mentioned the reason he decided to participate in the HWPL Peace Mural, saying “I am here because I don’t doubt that the peace mural plays a role in helping unite the hearts of people to make a peaceful world without war or conflict.”

The mural – that shows a desire for religious world peace – was painted on the four walls of the Yeongjijeong temple. On the wall at the entrance to the temple, the drawing shows a desire for various religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Sikhism to become harmonious. The drawing next to the entrance wall depicts children smiling brightly and having fun in a world where peace is accomplished. On another wall, a painting that depicts a full brown lotus – representing Buddhism – shows the desire of HWPL and Yeongjijeong Temple to accomplish peace by overcoming the bleak, mud-like reality.

Lim Changseob, the general director of the foreign policy department of HWPL’s Global05 Branch, said “It is meaningful to hold this peace event that looks ahead 1,000 years in the city of Gyeongju that has a 1,000-year history. I look forward to active peace cooperation between HWPL Global05 Branch and Yeongjijeong Temple of Munsujong because, during the ceremony, HWPL peace family members reaffirmed their determination to accomplish world peace together.”

The HWPL Global05 Branch and the temple signed an MOU for cooperation on the peace project on July 3^rd, 2022. Since then, they have continued collaborating with various projects such as the HWPL Peace Tree, the HWPL International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA), and the Peace Mural to promote spaces for peace culture and interfaith exchanges.

peacebreeze

Sunday, November 5, 2023