[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's The 1st National Defense and Veterans’ Interfaith Harmony Peace Prayer Service in Republic of 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 The 1st National Defense and Veterans’ Interfaith Harmony Peace Prayer Service in Republic of Korea :)

The 1st National Defense and Veterans’ Interfaith Harmony Peace Prayer Service Held in Chungnam, Republic of Korea

In June, which is designated as Patriots and Veterans Month, the HWPL Global 10 Branch held the 1st National Defense and Veterans’ Interfaith Harmony Peace Prayer Service. The gathering honored the noble sacrifices of patriots and the spirits of veterans who dedicated their lives in defense of the nation.

The 1st National Defense and Veterans’ Interfaith Harmony Peace Prayer Service was held on June 12th at the Dunguri Rural Experience and Healing Village in Yangchon-myeon, Nonsan City, Chungcheongnam-do. The event was co-hosted by HWPL Global 10 Branch and the Korean Monastic Association, and supported by Chungcheong Welfare TV and the Daejeon Ilbo.

Approximately 100 people, including key religious figures and the HWPL Global 10 Branch, were in attendance to honor the patriots and advocate for peace. Participants expressed deep respect for those who transcended religious boundaries and gave their lives for freedom and peace. They also agreed on the need for solidarity regarding the realization of peace on the Korean Peninsula and all over the world.

Monk Hyunsan, event co-host and president of the Korean Monastic Association, notably said that the prayer meeting provided a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the patriotic spirit and to put interfaith solidarity for peace into practice.

“I empathize with HWPL’s approach of seeking peace together with all religions. Through this prayer service, I hope to expand the meaning of interfaith harmony and the practice of peace,” Monk Hyunsan said.

”As this event was our first attempt, there were some shortcomings, but I hope to expand the event so that even the government will take interest,” Monk Hyunsan added. “Our hope is to develop this event into a true peace platform – transcending religious boundaries – where everyone can join together. Today, representatives from seven religions were in attendance, but next time, 10 and even more will be represented. To achieve this, we must make progress in our current activities.”

The prayer service had a solemn atmosphere and featured the reading of memorial messages, a silent tribute, and a memorial concert.

“Helping the administration of the nation and making people peaceful, as taught by Suun Choi Je-woo, aligns with the noble sacrifices of the patriotic spirit that we honor. What these patriots dreamed of was true peace,” said Lee Jang-seong, head of the Cheongyongdam Jincheon Branch of Suunism, who delivered a memorial speech. “We are committed to carry on this spirit of Sunnism and achieving genuine peaceful reunification on this earth, and to building a prosperous nation where all people are united as one.”

The last part of the prayer gathering included a performance with the theme of cessation of war. The performance included the raising of the flags of 22 countries that participated in the Korean War, the Korean national flag, the UN flag, and the HWPL flag. Religious leaders and participants took time to express gratitude for the noble sacrifices made.