“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”
-Albert Einstein
Similar to the quote of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., peace is something that needs to achieved by understanding of one another. It is not by force, in which creates war. In the past, countries tried to keep peace and protect on their behalf, so that their countries will be safe. However, it is not by force that peace is kept, but it is by removal of war. The WARP Summit in September, 2014 brought all religions together towards understanding that we origin from one creator. Peace cannot be kept by war, but by understanding and tolerance of those who are different than us. The works of HWPL will guide the religions towards unity and understanding, rather than war. HWPL is not a powerful military force, but it consists of people, who works toward understanding.
“If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace.”
-John Lennon
As Albert Einstein suggests the ultimate solution to peace, John Lennon suggests the spirit of an individual, in regards to achieving peace. It is our desire and passion for peace that will allow peace to come true in our life. The culture that we live in naturally builds a desire for materialistic goods. If materialism is replaced with a cause that is aim towards greater good, then peace would come true. Even if Chairman Man Hee Lee has the practical solution for peace, if no one desires it, then peace would not be possible. Each individual must have the desire to replace the materialistic desire for peace, in order for the practical solution for peace suggested by Chairman Lee to work.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." -Martin Luther King Jr.
In the past, mankind attempted to resolve conflict through war. Consequently, war resulted to another war. Both conflict and war are considered as darkness that sweeps the world. However, in the nature, darkness cannot overcome darkness. It would only make it darker. Likewise, we are not able to solve war with war. Martin Luther King Jr. interprets this darkness as hate and light as love. Hate is something is that is followed by a certain action. This action is war. Both Mr. Lee and Dr. King agree that only solution towards darkness is light. This is why Mr. Man Hee Lee says that when light meets light, there is victory. When we are gathered together for cause in the name of love, we are able to overcome darkness and achieve victory. A spark of light in the middle of darkness will light in some amount. However, as more lights gather together to form a greater light, it will ultimately overcome the darkness. This is truly peace that ends all wars.
Jeonju is considered to be one of the most traditional cities in the Korean Peninsula. In addition to being the hometown of the kings of the Yi Dynasty, the city includes one of the beautiful traditional towns with its renowned architecture. In the middle of traditional architectures, a Romanesque architecture stands to represent the religious freedom. Jeondong Roman Catholic Church is the site of the first martyrdom in a country that considered Confucianism as its national religion.
In the city with population slightly over 600,000, a spark of light has been lit to celebrate world peace and to renew their dedication to accomplish world peace. On the 25th of May, IPYG Jeonbuk branch joined the youths around the globe by hosting its second anniversary of the international peace walk.
In its opening ceremony, the audiences were able to view different performances centered around the theme 'peace' along with many congratulatory speeches from leaders in Jeonbuk community. This is the evidence that even with the small population of Jeonbuk Province, IPYG is gaining strong and passionate supports from its community. This organized event of peace brought curious attentions from the citizens of Jeonju and tourists. It may have inspired the tourists with a thought and an impression that they could bring back home to start their own journey of peace towards unity in religion.
Behind the traditional percussion group is the church, where lies the spirit of those, who fought for freedom of religion. Being one of the checkpoints of the peace walk in Jeonju, the church promotes the meaning of the peace walk, since the peace walk is devoted towards unity in religion. The International Peace Youth Group is an organization devoted to achieve peace through the unified voice of youths around the globe. Even though the members are not sacrificing their lives for a certain religion, they are devoting their time and energy towards peace in between religions to avoid tragic religious conflicts that the world has seen in its history. Under the leadership of Chairman Man Hee Lee, IPYG Jeonbuk branch hopes to accomplish their brothers and sisters around the world to achieve a dream that continued for centuries.
Over 200,000 young adults around the world joined in the annual walk for peace. This peace walk started two years, in hopes to raise more awareness in the world regarding its peace. In every war, youths were sacrificed as soldiers, even thought they received no benefit from the war that they sacrificed their lives for. Under the leadership of Chairman Man Hee Lee, the youths gathered to express their support for peace. They did not only gather for a cause that would benefit their future, but also for the welfare of the future generation. Year after year, the youths gathered in Seoul and also around the world to participate in the peace walk. Every year, their numbers grew. This obviously shows that everyone hopes for peace.
On the other hand, Chairman Lee visited Mindanao at the same day. Mindanao was a special island for the Chairman. The 40 years conflict between two religions was resolved after the visit of the Chairman last year. He showed the leaders of both religions that conflict and war is not the answer and it does not benefit anyone. This successful resolution of the Chairman brought the attention of the world on the practical method of the Chairman, in regards to peace.
"We have promised that religions will become one. Our hearts, thoughts, and even each word we speak will have to be used for making peace. We must deliver the message of peace to all the people around the world."
The promise and the agreement, which we made at the WARP Summit, must be displayed through our action and word. Our promise must be reflected through our action. There is no purpose of gathering together for a cause, if there is no follow-up action. It must be a cause that needs to be carried on through our actions after the Summit.
The generation of the late 20th and 21st century are enriched with prosperous lives through the resources. We have the capability to be able to use the natural resources compared to our previous generations. We have seen and experienced the highest technological advances through strong and creative intellects. However, our capability and the accomplishment that we have made brought struggles and conflict (along with the capability to cause damage and destruction that we have not seen), in which the numbers are far greater than any other period in history. Could this be an example of Newton's Third Law, in which every action results an equal reaction? Or, from the oriental philosophy of um and yang (yin and yang)? Our advances and innovations has resulted an equal opposite of these triggers. What could be the appropriate spirit (mentality) of the generation of the 21st century?
In this generation, people classify themselves into a certain group, in terms of religion, political ideology, and other beliefs. People try to categorize other's into a certain group for what they say and act. For example, in South Korea it may be the case that a person is accused of being a communist for their compassion towards North Korea. They accuse each other for being different and attempt to categorize them into a group to create division. However, it does not mean one is pro-North Korea or support its government system, but it means that we are pro-peace. Just as this, it seems to be the trend that in the 21st century, we tend to identify ourselves to a particular group or we become classified to a particular group. As a result, conflicts rise from these differences into forms of minor arguments or physical war. Was there an opportunity, when we all worked together for a cause? The spirit of 21st century should be accomplishing something that has never been accomplished completely. It is the spirit of cooperation. It is not division, or reacting towards an action, but it is reaching to an equilibrium.
There is one occasion, when we see mankind becoming one and working with each other. This is in science fiction or disaster film. It is when earth is attacked by an alien force from outer space or from a natural disaster. One example is Roland Emmerich's SF film '2012'. In the midst of different natural disasters happening all over the world, mankind combines their effort to survive. However, should we become one, when we are facing something that will cause extinction? Could we not become one before an exterior force that threatens us to become one? Could we not realize that the wars, which happen in our time could lead to an extinction of our race? In addition to special effects of the film, it left a question on what it means to be a human and unity.
"Today, none of us are strangers. Today, we are one family, stepping into the darkness together."
"To be human means to care for each other and civilization means to work together to create a better life."
The spirit of the 21st century must be guided towards becoming one family, in order to prevent leading ourselves into destruction. We have to constantly attempt to achieve the true meaning of what it is to be a human. We study in college and take courses on humanities, but we never achieved what it is to be human according to one fictional scientist in the film. Perhaps, peace and unity is a fiction that only exists in our fantasy. However, the fact that we hope for such things and portray these through different visual arts show the possibility that peace and unity are possible in reality. It is essential that the spirit of the 21st century must be focused on achieving our humanity or in other words, world peace. It is even more essential, because we have enough power to destroy humanity. In order to prevent this our spirit needs to reflect, "What is the true meaning of being a human?". So, in this sense WARP Summit demonstrated the possibility that we are capable of working together and building the world that we live into a better place.
This is the song that gives us comfort, when we are in trouble. Even though it is a time of trouble, we have a friend that we can always lean on. The verse in the lyrics that stood out to me the most was "Swallow your pride". Pride is something that prevents us from reaching out to even our friends. If we are not able to reach out to our friends, who we are supposed to lean on, then how can we reach out to those, who we are different with? Having pride in something is good, because it means we have confidence in who we are. However, it cannot be something that causes us to separate from others. We need to understand that others also have pride in their identity just as us. And in order to earn the respect of others, we also need to respect them in who they are. I think this is the definition of friends. It may be different in terms of scale, when we compare the friends, who we meet in our neighborhood and the friends, who may be completely different than us, but it is a matter of perspective. The WARP Summit and the activities of HWPL and Chairman Man Hee Lee brought a greater awareness in terms of tolerance. The WARP Summit showed to its participants that we all share the same pain and sorrow. After the Summit, we all became wiser, as we come to understand more about each other. The Summit created friendship, in which we have a friend from a community different than ours, who we can lean on. And it united us together as peace advocates.
Lean on me
Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
So swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won't let show
It is incorrect to say that no one attempted to create a world of peace. After the war to end all wars (WWI), an international government was proposed to regulate order in the global society. The horror of World War I influenced the leaders of the world to work towards preventing any future war. Although it was not successful, since another disastrous war was waiting for the world, the leaders of the world agreed that war needs to be prevented. This international government that became a predecessor of United Nations was called League of Nations. It was founded on 10 January 1920. The organization sought to prevent wars and solve conflicts through negotiation.
After two decades the League of Nations become replaced with the United Nations. The involvement of the United Nations during post-WWII era was essential and their position prevented wars becoming terrifying as the two previous World Wars. However, despite their effort, wars persisted. Even after the Cold War, the United Nations worked to prevent struggles in different places in the world.
Even though I am grateful for the efforts of the United Nations, in terms of their work on peacekeeping in the various parts of the world, I think it is a time, when we need to take another step forward. Instead of tackling the conflict, whenever they rise up, the United Nations needs to solve the origin of these problems. If there is a hole in a water bucket and water starts leaking, one cannot fill the bucket, if he or she only tries to put more water in. One needs to stop the original problem, which is the hole. Just like this water bucket, if the United Nations does not solve the original problem of all conflicts, then conflicts will continue to persist.
I believe sincerely that Mr. Man Hee Lee and HWPL has the key to world peace and the original problem. HWPL may not have the resource that the United Nations has, but it has the correct vision and the solution to world peace. These are the visions outlined by the Chairman. The WARP, an event held last September, brought different leaders from different society together to find a way towards peace.
Aren't we all humans? Then why can't we all live in peace?
Everyone desires peace, but war brings death, sadness and hatred.
Everyone desires peace, then why does war happen, despite this unquestionable fact? Wars happen, because of a conflict in opinion and conflict in interest. It is true that we wish to gain more than others. However, we must understand the consequences that war bring. These are death, sadness, and hatred. What is more important to us? Is it the special privilege that we have over others or is it peace? What are we willing to give up, if we are given the choice between these two? If we want privilege, then we must become higher in authority and position than others. This will naturally cause conflict. And this conflict will lead to war. Do we want this, because it turns out in our history, our choices were not optimal. So, are we willing to tolerate those with some difference? I think this is the true meaning of peace. It is the act of overcoming my thoughts and prejudices against other and transcending to unity with them. Peace is not only an absence of war, it is understanding others despite the difference. As the first quote says, we are all humans. We have one big similarity with each other. We are all humans.
One who lives by wearing grace cannot kill and destroy lives and expect to repay the grace. Truly, religion has to become one. I hope we can be the world’s joy and a beautiful legacy for the future generations.
-Man Hee Lee
What is the purpose of religion? Is it to kill and destroy? However, throughout the history we see that religion has been the origin and the center of war. If we understood and recognized this as a problem, we must seek to resolve. The guidelines outlined by HWPL and Mr. Man Hee Lee is spreading throughout the world after the WARP Summit. And with more inter-religious dialogues happening in the world and WARP office being established, it could be possible that peace can solved in our generation. With religious leaders and religion taking the front in this movement, it would fulfill the true role of religion and it will bring more people, who were once discouraged by religion, to religion.
Nelson Mandela is considered to be one of the greatest leaders in the 20th century. He fought for a problem that co-exited in the society as something normal and ordinary. The apartheid was taken for granted in the society. But, he fought for inequality and tolerance in South Africa.
Nelson Mandela can be compared to leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi. They did not use violence to resolve the problems in their society. Their works and passion are remembered and reflected through the works of HWPL and Chairman Man Hee Lee. However, the problem that we face today, at this era is not limited to one part of the world. It is a global issue: world peace and cessation of war.
Just as each leader were able to gain the support of the people in their community, Mr. Man Hee Lee is also gaining the support of the people across the globe, because they also recognized it as a problem. We must now treasure the history and the work of these renowned leaders of 20th century and look forward to the problem that we face in the 21st century.
What can one do to solve peace? HWPL and Mr. Man Hee Lee are dedicated towards achieving peace in the world. Even at his old age, Mr. Lee is travelling and visiting different parts of the world to promote the message of his peace. As more people join the international peace movement with HWPL, we will be able to see peace closer to us. This is because HWPL has the correct ingredients to create peace. It has the potential to create in every different type of people in the world a reason to love peace. This is the vision that was initially proposed by Mr. Man Hee Lee.
Few weeks ago, A conference was held in a suburb of San Francisco. The name of the city adds an additional meaning to the conference, because the city is "Union City". It represents the place where all the religions are united together under one banner of peace. The theme of the conference was "Bring the Unity of Religions". There were about 40 participants from 9 different religions and denominations.
The religious leaders from San Francisco now joins the movement towards world peace and cease of war, as they hold hands in hands under peace. We are now one step closer to peace. A meeting for peace does not require large number or expansive decoration. It only require a dim light that will gather other dim lights to create a brighter light. The gatherings of light will change the world.
It does not mean that I completely detest modern pop songs. I believe that the pop songs that we hear in our favorite radio stations entertain us equally as songs like "Stand by me" entertained its audience decades ago. I also believe that music has its own special influence over people's thoughts. In some ways, music is another representation of 'Zeitgeist'. It reflects the value and the personality of the people of a specific time.
The songs that were sung by the artists, who are considered as the foundation of modern pop music, had a meaning and a purpose other than the pop culture. It approached romance and friendship from a different angle. Although the pop culture may be appropriate for this era, something seems to be missing.
The song is simply about wanting someone to stand by you through any trouble. A classic is considered as such, because of its influence even after its time. A friend, who we need to stand next to, is not only needed when this song was sung initially, but even today. This is why this song is a classic. It arouses the same emotion to the contemporary audience in the same manner as the audience of the past generation. It brings out the same compassion. And it binds the audience together to reflect about the person they love and the person they want to stand by. Its lyrics is about a loyalty, friendship, and of course, love.
Ben E. King
Likewise, peace needs to be a classic. It is a classic until it is resolved. So in some sense, finding the word peace in a long lost dictionary would be the best case scenario, because peace would have been resolved and people would enjoy peace as ordinary. People sing about peace, because it is something they wish for and hope for, just like they want someone to stand next to them.
Another way of looking at this song is, we need someone next to us, as we achieve peace. Peace cannot be achieved by one man from the beginning to its end. We need people standing next to each other to achieve peace. This is why Mr. Man Hee Lee called for the peace advocates and peace ambassadors, who would preach peace in their own community. And even in the time of struggle, when we tumble and fall, if we have someone next to us, we don't need to be afraid and we don't need cry. I hope that each of us can find someone, who would stand by us and vice versa, in our journey towards peace.
Was Shakespeare a peace advocate? Not necessarily as his play, "Romeo and Juliet" was written as a tragedy. However, we are able to learn lessons from this play and the example that our two lovers displayed by overcoming their family ties. Unfortunately, because of the older generation's dispute, the two youths were sacrificed. Just like Romeo and Juliet, we all have our own personal ties. This could include, our family, religion, beliefs, or nations. Even though their love was romantic, they were able to overcome these boundaries and ties. In the famous 'balcony scene', we are able to learn a lesson from Juliet.
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
A name is only a name. And she understands that there is no meaning in a name. This is similar to the example in our world. There is no meaning behind a name, title, or ties that is associated with a person. If this is the case, then we would not be able unite together and we would only quarrel among ourselves. We can always refer to someone, who is different than us, as a different name, in which would bring them closer. Many groups exist in the peace organization HWPL. However, we erased all the associations that we had previously, and we only come together and refer each other as peace advocates and a family in this global community. We all have the same beginning. It is only that we are not able to discover the similarities and come to an agreement. If we are not able to reach to peace, then just like Romeo and Juliet, it would be our next generation, who would be paying the price.
A glooming peace this morning with it brings;
The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head:
Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things;
Some shall be pardon'd, and some punished:
For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.
This would not be a scenario that we want. We already sacrificed and lost so many valuable things. We should not make the same mistakes as the two families did in the play and before additional damages are made, we should make peace. I think Shakespeare was considered a great playwright, not because of his tragic plays, but because of the insights that he offered inside the plays. He pointed out problems and seem to teach us a moral lesson through these plays. As he says "All the world's a stage. And all the men and women merely players," and if we are in our Final Act, we must truly act to resolve peace between each other, so that mistakes in Romeo and Juliet would not be repeated again. And the last line of our play would end with "for never was a story of more joyful than this".
"What is a youth"
It is the law of nature that a rose would bloom and fade. Sadly, because of the mistakes of the adults, the youths were sacrificed, before receiving the chance to bloom. This is what the Chairman agonizes over. He was deeply affected, when he fought in the Korean War, as he saw many young men dying for a cause against other young men, who once they called each other countrymen. It is because of religion and politics that separate even the same race. In order to prevent this, HWPL created IPYG and IWPG, so that youths and women are able to raise their voices to religious and political leaders.
To say "I love peace" is another way of saying "I love my neighbor". It is a phrase that encompasses all purpose of faith, belief, and ideology.
"If you consider yourself precious, know that others are precious as well and love the other like you love yourself."
-Chairman Man Hee Lee
We all consider ourselves precious and we consider our individual lives precious. Then, we must respect others considering their lives precious. This is the foundation towards building peace in ourselves and with others.
"As the rain, light and air in the heavens is unchangeable, we must love ourselves. Just as the light, rain and air from the heavens gives us life. we must love one another and learn to give abundantly."
-Chairman Man Hee Lee
One of the ways that we can come together to express our love for one another and for peace is the HWPL peace walk. As the second anniversary of the peace walk is approaching, we must start to act and join each other in our walks toward peace. This peace walk does not only show the world our hope for peace, but also it is a walk that the peace advocates are taking towards peace.
A deep man believes in miracles, waits for them, believes in magic, believes that the orator will decompose his adversary; believes that the evil eye can wither, that the heart's blessing can heal; that love can exalt talent; can overcome all odds.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Just because you are comfortable, does it mean you do not need a peace? Our petty selfishness seems to make someone's misfortune to call for a war. Wouldn't a small and little more attention and care enrich our lives.
-Chairman Man Hee Lee
The film, "Children of Men", directed by Alfonso Cuarón is based in future, when infertility was a global issue. The life expectancy of an infant was low and were scarce. In the beginning of the film, it was displayed that the youngest man alive was an international celebrity. In the midst of these catastrophe, United Kingdom managed to sustain their government through martial law and control of illegal immigrants. One of the scene at the climax of the film stood out powerfully to me, as I was watching the film.
(Theo, who is escorting Kee and the new-born baby outside the apartment)
Theo was given the mission to protect and escort Kee, the only woman, who was pregnant with a child, to a safe location, so that she may receive protection. In the climax of the film, the two attempts to escape the apartment, where Kee was previously captured, in the middle of a battle between the rioters, which include illegal immigrants and rebel group members, and the military.
In the middle of ensuing battle as people and soldiers of both side encounter the two and notice the new-born baby, they suddenly stop. As the crying new-born baby held by Kee pass by them, the illegal immigrants taking refugee inside the apartment sing songs in their own language and reach out their hand, as a sign of respect. They share encouragement. The original soundtrack written by John Tavener added a sad, but peaceful mood in the ambiance. The rebel soldier with weapon, who in the beginning pointed his gun at Theo and Kee, slowly dropped his gun to touch the crying infant. The government solider shouts out "Cease Fire" suddenly as soon as sees the infant. The viewers see people of different ethnic background and religion, who welcome the new-born baby and rejoicing at her birth. At that moment, everyone was thinking the same thing: to guarantee the safety of the baby. Perhaps, god was truly watching over them. And I found it interesting that the name Theo origins from "theos" in Greek.
No one asked them to stop, but they willingly stopped. Despite the ideological and religious differences, they all rejoiced and joined the happiness of a new soul born on this earth. In the short silence of peace that broke out in the midst of a terrible battle, all mankind felt the same compassion and the same joy. Then, could this be possible in our generation? Just as the people rejoiced at the birth of their next generation and allowed their first descendant to be escorted outside the perimeter, can we reach to an agreement for the sake of our next generation? Just as all religion and ethnic backgrounds stopped and rejoiced, I think it would be possible in the reality, if it was possible in our fantasy. Only thing we must do is to convert our fantasy into reality. Although the setting is different in the film than reality, the birth of a new soul into this earth must be joyful. I believe it is our responsibility to prevent the death of our future generation in this world. And then maybe, if we work together, it will inspire the divine creator to help and make this peace possible. I hope that the works of HWPL and IPYG will inspire and plant a passion into the hearts of the many people.
I do not agree with some of the trend and culture that resulted from internet and social network. But, at the same time, I am astonished on what it is capable of doing to change the world and bringing the global community closer to each other. One of the example is the story of the last year's Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Malala Yousafzai.
The actions that she took and the courage that she displayed through her blogs show that age does not matter. She fought for what is right despite the danger in her community. To build a better world, we need to sacrifice something. For peace, we need to have courage, in order to speak about peace even in the most hostile areas of the world. As she says, "one child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world", we reach out to one person, one religion, one scripture, and one pen to sign on the peace agreement for the international law that will bring an end to all wars. Everyone can become a peace advocate. The power of one is even stronger, when they are united together.
WARP Summit was the event that created an environment for these to become possible. With the work of Chairman Man Hee Lee and the volunteers of HWPL, and other affiliated organizations, we will be able to change the world. Eventually this movement would need to involve the participation of every member, who belong to this world. Since, this change would not be a change in one part of the world, but the world as a whole. The continuous and restless effort of the Chairman became the small spark of light, which was a foundation in this world that shined the darkness.
The practical solution suggested in the WARP Summit was alliance of religion. Rather than focusing on the difference, it suggested to find similarity. And the first step towards creating alliance of religions is to compare not the individual thoughts of its leaders, but its scriptures.
This is why since the WARP Summit, many gatherings of religion's leaders came together in their local community to discuss specifically about their religious scriptures and their thoughts on peace. If WARP Summit attempted to gather people globally, these gatherings of local religious leaders in each community attempts to reach out in a micro-scale, in order to discuss about peace in detailed with leaders, who weren't able to participate in the WARP Summit. One by one, HWPL is reaching out to people to proclaim and shine the light of peace. And the place, where all local leaders can gather to discuss about religion in the name of peace is the WARP Office.
WARP Offices are being established continuously all over the world, so that more religious leaders and believers can come together to talk about peace despite their religious differences. This will allow small communities to unite together. Recently, a WARP office has been established in New Zealand. It is amazing to see the development after the WARP Summit and the steps that Mr. Man Hee Lee and HWPL took to come one step closer to achieving peace in the world. I hope that WARP office can be established in the community that I live in, so that local leaders can meet to discuss peace.
"One who lives by wearing grace cannot kill and destroy lives and expect to repay the grace. Truly, religion has to become one. I hope we can be the world’s joy and a beautiful legacy for the future generations."
"All broadcast stations should become messengers of peace and broadcast the peace message often."
"The heart of a mother can make the impossible possible and can create something from nothing."
WARP Summit was an international gathering of all different people from the world. Previously, each represented different belief and value. Then, through the Summit, these variety of belief and value came together to become one under achieving and fulfilling world peace. Instead of compared 99 different things, we discovered that we shared one hope. And this is peace. WARP Summit redirected what different groups, such as religion, political leaders, women's group, youth group and media should do, in order to achieve peace as peace advocate.
"One who lives by wearing grace cannot kill and destroy lives and expect to repay the grace. Truly, religion has to become one. I hope we can be the world’s joy and a beautiful legacy for the future generations."
"One shouldn't just proclaim peace and sit around, rather run with their feet for the peace movement. The world of peace will soon come."
There are various sayings in the world that we are judged and remembered based on our actions. No matter how much we think and speak of good thoughts, if we do not act, these thoughts are useless. We have seen peace movements in our history, but there has never been a movement that extended to international and various religions as HWPL. The actions of Chairman Man Hee Lee shows that he is an advocate of peace and truly wants peace to be fulfilled on this earth.
Difference between Peace and Quiet
I recently saw the new Marvel's film, The Avengers: Age of Ultron. It is obviously a superhero film, in which a group of superheros encounter and overcome an antagonist, who is determined to destroy the world. However, something different about this film was that the antagonist was created by the protagonist by the fear of destruction. One of the characters creates Ultron in hopes to protect the world from outsiders, who previously attempted to destroy earth. However, we must understand that peace cannot be achieved by war. It is ironic that a war ends war. One of lines that stood out to me as I was interested in world peace was, "There is a difference between peace and quiet". So far we only experienced a quiet world, where there is minimal sound, in which only a part of the world is affected directly by war. Some people in the world are enjoying the absence of war by believing that peace is in their country. However, it does not mean that war is completely gone. It is only absent, because of their country's protection. If war is no longer needed, protection or military forces would be no longer needed.
Currently, the world is not enjoying peace, but they are enjoying the quiet moment, which someday, if there is no prevention, will spark into a disaster. The protagonists in the film hoped that the machines will protect the world and keep the world in harmony, but it is ourselves that need to change. Unlike Ultron, who believed that mankind must evolve physically, we must transform from the inwards. Our spirit and mentality must change in order to care for the welfare of all mankind, so that we may reach harmony.
Most people love action films. I enjoy action films. But, do we also enjoy peaceful films? Our desire in films seem to reflect the current trend of the world. However, on the other hand, all superheros films lead to a balance and harmony at the end by the sacrifice and the efforts of the superhero. Maybe this is why people are attracted to the superhero films. Not only the actions, but they love how the superheros overcome the difficulties to keep peace in the world. However, can we not achieve this peaceful world peacefully? Although the actions in the movies excites me, the motive and the vision of HWPL approaches me more soothingly.
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