[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's 'Lecture on the Peaceful Unification of the Korean Peninsula' in Korea

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 regarding HWPL's 'Lecture on the Peaceful Unification of the Korean Peninsula' in Korea :)

Youth Engagement Campaign ‘Lecture on the Peaceful Unification of the Korean Peninsula’ was Held

– Seeking Practical Solutions for a Peaceful Future of the Korean Peninsula with Venerable Beopryun’s Lecture –

On May 31st at 2 PM, approximately 300 participants, including religious, political, and social figures, as well as youth and general citizens, gathered at the Manbul Hall of Heungnyunsa Temple in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, South Korea for the ‘Lecture on the Peaceful Unification of the Korean Peninsula’ as part of the ‘Together: Connecting Korea’ campaign.

This lecture was hosted by Heungnyunsa Temple and the Incheon Buddhist Culture Promotion Association, and organized by HWPL Global 09 Branch. Under the subtitle ‘Cooperation for a Peaceful Future of the Korean Peninsula,’ the event provided a platform for citizens, including youth, to share visions for peace and unification of the Korean Peninsula, recognize its importance, and explore concrete measures for its realization.

▲ Audience members at the lecture showing concentrated attention

The lecture proceeded with an opening remark, followed by viewing unification-related videos, congratulatory remarks, cultural performances, and a special lecture titled ‘The Path to Peaceful Unification of the Korean Peninsula and the Role of Peace Citizens.’ Venerable Beopryun, who served as the lecturer, emphasized the value of unification by stating, “Key to economy is unification, key to security is unification, key to national prosperity is unification, and I believe a unified nation is the only asset we can pass down to our descendants.” He delivered a lecture on the history of inter-Korean exchanges and the necessity of fostering unification consciousness.

▲ Venerable Beopryun delivering a lecture to the audience on the theme of Peaceful Unification of the Korean Peninsula

Venerable Beopryun concluded his lecture by saying, “The Korean Peninsula continues to live with the pain of division. However, the protagonists who will overcome this reality and open a new future are precisely our younger generation. I sincerely hope that today’s lecture will serve as an opportunity for young people to deeply engrave the values of peace and unification in their hearts and move forward as partners in practice.”

Following the lecture, a presentation by a youth member of IPYG continued. Under the theme ‘Presenting a Vision for Peace and Unification Through the Voices of South Korean Youth,’ he conveyed, “Free movement is the starting point of unification, and unification is ultimately possible only when hearts are connected first. In this matter, public empathy and participation are the decisive keys. When our youth raise their voices together, take action, and continuously speak of peace, those voices will become the driving force that changes the future of the Korean Peninsula.”

Finally, through a chorus of ‘Our Wish is Unification’ and sharing of the audiences’ reflection, participants shared their individual thoughts on peace and formed a consensus.

This lecture is evaluated as a meaningful activity that served as a platform for communication between various generations and fields on the theme of ‘Peace and Unification of the Korean Peninsula,’ acting as a starting point for peace practice and encouraging voluntary citizen participation.

HWPL Official Homepage

https://www.hwpl.kr/language/en/home-hwpl-_en/