[HWPL]
[HWPL] HWPL's 'We Are One Religion and Peace Academy' in Korea
Chungcheong Religious Leaders Gather in Okcheon to Discuss Coexistence of Truth and Peace
HWPL Global Branch 10 held the “We Are One Religious Peace Academy” on Oct. 24 at the MTA Center in Okcheon County, North Chungcheong Province, bringing together approximately 300 participants, including 100 pastors and religious leaders from various faiths.
Participants from eight cities across the Chungcheong region, including Daejeon, Cheonan, Cheongju, Seosan, Gongju, Asan, Sejong, and Nonsan, gathered under the theme “The Coexistence of Truth and Peace.” Attendees shared the scriptures and teachings of their respective religions and discussed the conditions necessary for different faiths to coexist harmoniously.
During the presentations, speakers emphasized the importance of respecting other religions while maintaining one’s own faith. Various religious perspectives on the pursuit of truth, freedom of religion, and the practice of peace were also introduced.
Venerable Hyein, Director of Education at the Korean Buddhist Mitaism Order, stressed that compassion and peace should never be lost in the pursuit of truth.
“Freedom to pursue truth is important. However, that freedom must not become a right that infringes upon another person’s freedom of belief and conscience,” he said.
He further explained that truth and peace are not opposing values but complementary ones. According to him, peace should not be used as a justification for overlooking discrimination or injustice, nor should efforts to correct wrongdoing encourage hatred or retaliation.
Yang Cheol-ya, head of Noseong Gwelisa, presented conditions for interfaith coexistence based on the Confucian principles of benevolence (In), righteousness (Ui), and harmony without uniformity (Hwa-i-budong).
“True peace does not come from making everyone think alike. It begins with recognizing differences, respecting one another, and seeking ways to live together,” Yang said.
He added that while individuals value their own faith, they should also respect the beliefs of others. Although religions may differ in teachings and expressions, they can cooperate in helping neighbors and caring for those in need.
Jang Bang-sik, leader of the Matthias Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, highlighted the importance of learning from other religious traditions while continuing to seek truth through the Bible.
“Confucianism is necessary, Buddhism is necessary, but we should not forget that the teachings of Jesus are also necessary,” he said.
Jang noted the need for cooperation among followers of different faiths and emphasized that understanding religious differences should be accompanied by a clear understanding of the truth one believes in. He also discussed questions concerning human life and death, sin and salvation, and explained the concepts of creation and redemption as presented in the Bible.
Citing the Book of Genesis and the Book of Revelation, Jang argued that believers should move beyond merely memorizing scripture and seek to understand its spiritual meaning. He also introduced Shincheonji Church teachings regarding the “new heaven and new earth,” the twelve tribes, and the Book of Life as described in Revelation.
The event also featured a short theatrical performance involving religious leaders. Through the presentation, participants conveyed the teachings of religious scriptures and shared the significance of putting peace into practice.
One attendee commented that seeing religious leaders personally prepare and perform in the production demonstrated that peace should be practiced in daily life rather than merely discussed in theory.
HWPL Global Branch 10 held the “We Are One Religious Peace Academy” on Oct. 24 at the MTA Center in Okcheon County, North Chungcheong Province, bringing together approximately 300 participants, including 100 pastors and religious leaders from various faiths.
Participants from eight cities across the Chungcheong region, including Daejeon, Cheonan, Cheongju, Seosan, Gongju, Asan, Sejong, and Nonsan, gathered under the theme “The Coexistence of Truth and Peace.” Attendees shared the scriptures and teachings of their respective religions and discussed the conditions necessary for different faiths to coexist harmoniously.
During the presentations, speakers emphasized the importance of respecting other religions while maintaining one’s own faith. Various religious perspectives on the pursuit of truth, freedom of religion, and the practice of peace were also introduced.
Venerable Hyein, Director of Education at the Korean Buddhist Mitaism Order, stressed that compassion and peace should never be lost in the pursuit of truth.
“Freedom to pursue truth is important. However, that freedom must not become a right that infringes upon another person’s freedom of belief and conscience,” he said.
He further explained that truth and peace are not opposing values but complementary ones. According to him, peace should not be used as a justification for overlooking discrimination or injustice, nor should efforts to correct wrongdoing encourage hatred or retaliation.
Yang Cheol-ya, head of Noseong Gwelisa, presented conditions for interfaith coexistence based on the Confucian principles of benevolence (In), righteousness (Ui), and harmony without uniformity (Hwa-i-budong).
“True peace does not come from making everyone think alike. It begins with recognizing differences, respecting one another, and seeking ways to live together,” Yang said.
He added that while individuals value their own faith, they should also respect the beliefs of others. Although religions may differ in teachings and expressions, they can cooperate in helping neighbors and caring for those in need.
Jang Bang-sik, leader of the Matthias Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, highlighted the importance of learning from other religious traditions while continuing to seek truth through the Bible.
“Confucianism is necessary, Buddhism is necessary, but we should not forget that the teachings of Jesus are also necessary,” he said.
Jang noted the need for cooperation among followers of different faiths and emphasized that understanding religious differences should be accompanied by a clear understanding of the truth one believes in. He also discussed questions concerning human life and death, sin and salvation, and explained the concepts of creation and redemption as presented in the Bible.
Citing the Book of Genesis and the Book of Revelation, Jang argued that believers should move beyond merely memorizing scripture and seek to understand its spiritual meaning. He also introduced Shincheonji Church teachings regarding the “new heaven and new earth,” the twelve tribes, and the Book of Life as described in Revelation.
The event also featured a short theatrical performance involving religious leaders. Through the presentation, participants conveyed the teachings of religious scriptures and shared the significance of putting peace into practice.
One attendee commented that seeing religious leaders personally prepare and perform in the production demonstrated that peace should be practiced in daily life rather than merely discussed in theory.
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