WARP Summit: Press Conference

"I would like to share with you about the peace activities I have been doing.
I was only a youth during World War II.
And I lived through 12 different administration of the president of Korea.
Over the years, I have seen and heard many things.
The reason for hosting the WARP Summit is as I told you.
We have to reenact an international law and must sign on the international law.
I do not wish for other things. If peace can be fulfilled, I firmly believe that those, who do the work of peace will be remembered as peace advocates in history and our future generation can enjoy the peace that we achieved."

-Chairman Man Hee Lee

In these few simple sentences, we are able to see the devotion that one man made because of his life experience that would change the world. Imagine, one day you had an experience. This experience altered the course of your life in terms of decision and characteristic. This resulted something enormous that would be beyond your imagination at that moment of experience. Chairman Man Hee Lee was a regular soldier in the front line of the Korean War. He participated in many battles, experienced near death, and saw many of his fellow soldiers, who died protecting their country from those, whom they once referred as brothers. It is truly sad that a nation would be the scapegoat of an ideological turmoil. This experience probably altered Chairman Lee's personality. This resulted the WARP Summit, ironically in the same nation, where that war took place. His love for humanity gave him the motivation to travel and talk about peace. In his old age, he could enjoying to spend his life doing something else, however, he chose to work for peace. This is something extraordinary. He was an ordinary man, when he had his experience, but the thoughts and the beliefs that he chose to follow made him into an extraordinary man. I think the world started to recognize that also, as they are calling the WARP Summit hosted by HWPL and the Chairman, the work of the divine creator.

Poem: We will meet as water

We will meet as water
- Kang Eun Kyo

If we meet as water,
Which house will dislike it?
If we flow like the rain
Next to the tall tree,

And flow towards
The lonely deepening river at dawn
And lie to wash the root of a dead tree
To touch the embarrassed sea that is still a virgin

However, we, right now
Try to meet as fire
Already a bone that became a coal
Is touching the burning things of the world

You, who are waiting outside of 4000km,
let meet as flowing water after this fire

Talk like the dying fire,
And when you come,
Come to the large, clean sky,
Where visits of human stopped

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When I read this poem, I noticed that this is a poem of hope. The author hopes for a new world, an ideal world that currently does not exist. It wishes to meet others as water rather than fire. Fire is an element that represents conflict and war. It represents the  weapon that we use for war. Currently, we only try to meet as fire. We only try to use physical or political force to resolve conflict. However the author wishes to meet as water to build a virgin sea. Virginity represents purity and originality. We must return to our original state, where no conflict existed. I do not image that conflict existed in the very beginning of our world, but I think people slowly became corrupted.

The author ends the poem with a remark to meet at the large, clean sky. There is no boundary in the sky. This is why HWPL works towards building heavenly culture as it provides the earth with rain, light, and air without cost and discrimination. I hope that through the peace movement with HWPL and Chairman Man Hee Lee, we will give up fire and eventually meet as water to create one big river that flows in one direction.

World Alliance of Religions Peace Summit

WARP Summit was hosted on September 16th last year with 1000 religious leaders from over 100 nations. In addition to these leaders, 300 IWPG members from 60 nations and 500 youth leaders from 134 nations participated in the event. I personally think that this Summit would be considered as the most influential event of this century later by historians. It is hard to see the effect in our individual daily lives, but the first step was taken towards peace. And slowly the world is going through a change in various places, as the participants are establishing HWPL WARP Offices around the world to discuss about peace and host religious dialogues.

One Lutheran Bishop commented "In the Scripture, it is said that everything about peace will be fulfilled by the inspiration of God. This means that it was by the inspiration of God that Chairman Lee, who hosted this event, was able to prepare for this Summit. The religious unification is the most beautiful evidence."

There have been religious dialogues in the past, but there was none with the participation of leaders from different areas. Although the meetings between religious leaders are important, it is not completely practical to only have religious leaders to meet. It requires numerous people, such as politicians, supreme justices, leaders of youth and women. This makes it more practical as each people are able to work in their area to make one idea called "peace" possible.

IWPG in South Africa

The Monument of Peace in South Africa is astonishing. South Africa. Also it is so great to see all mothers and women working alongside the youths to create a world of peace. Chairman Man Hee Lee does not only exaggerate the importance of the youth's involvement, but also the power of women, especially mothers. They are the ones, who are sending their children to war. And Chairman Lee believes that they play a great role in solving world peace. They are the ones who are able to guide the youths with the mother's heart. I hope that more mothers in the world would recognize the world peace movement and join IWPG's cooperation with HWPL to walk together for peace.

Georgian Youth Peace Debate

On July 24th, university students at Georgia hosted a peace debate with the title "The Pieces of Peace." It is somewhat interesting that the address of this blog is also pie pieces of peace. I guess youths in other parts of the world also share a cheesy sense of humor with the word that seems to be trend in the middle of this decade.

It truly fascinates me that the influence of IPYG, an organization that started in South Korea, is spreading to other parts of the world after the WARP Summit. It shows the mass effect of the WARP Summit on the world. It did not only influence its participants, but its energy and spirit carried on through the participants and the viewers across the world. We see many debates in our community, school, and even in politics. The purpose of this debate is to reach to a better conclusion or to present your opinion on a such topic.

It is great to see that debates are being conducted on the topic peace. I hope that more debates would be conducted around the world with the mind to create a better world. Also, as Chairman Man Hee Lee is travelling around the world, we should motivate ourselves to fulfill our role as peace advocates.

Chairman Man Hee Lee and Archbishop Antonio Lesdema

Finding a good friend in our lives is difficult. But, whenever one makes a true friend, their friendship lasts forever. On the road of achieving peace, Chairman Man Hee Lee also created great friendship with those who have like-minded as him. One notable friendship is the one with Archbishop Antonio Lesdema.

They met when Chairman Man Hee Lee visited Philippines for the peace movement. Although I do not know the complete story how they met, I am still fascinated by the action of the Archbishop to meet the Chairman. And together, they were able to start the first step to achieve a miracle in Mindanao. It is true, when light meet light, there is victory. We need more like-minded people, who are willing to devote their lives for peace. This is not only for their generation, but also for the future generation. We cannot procrastinate our efforts to achieve peace and leave it to our next generation. It must be our generation, who are capable of communication than any other generations in the past, to achieve world peace. And people like Chairman Man Hee Lee and Archbishop Antonio Lesema are already influencing their community and also the world.

Their friendship was rejoined when the Archbishop visited South Korea to participate in the WARP Summit. I think I saw his interview about the WARP Summit, and his reactions were positive. WARP Summit created a network of peace advocates, who are willing to dedicate themselves to achieve peace. Something more fascinating is that all these people came from a difference background. This ranges from social status, religion, ethnicity, and occupation. They all came to South Korea for one purpose: to achieve world peace.

The friendship of the Chairman and the Archbishop is also amazing. It shows how the support for peace is able to transcend all other differences. The two leaders definitely come from a different background, but their love peace is what brought them to join in a continuous friendship. A friendship under peace. 

How to get involved with HWPL

As more people are recognizing the works of Chairman Man Hee Lee, HWPL is increasing in numbers with advocates, who devote their time to make peace into a reality. Here is how to join:

1. Go to http://hwpl.kr/content.php?p=EN/getinvolved

2. Choose one option depending if you are joining under a group/organization or an individual.

3. Enter information

Welcome!

Peace Leaders of Yesterday and the Peace Leader of Today

The world has seen many peace leaders in each nation. Each leader devoted and contributed in achieving peace and harmony in their country. These are the leaders from yesterday. However, there has never been a leader that brought harmony in the world. For example, Abraham Lincoln kept United States as one. Although his works and actions are respected by many people in the world after many years, Abraham Lincoln kept harmony in the American continent. Gandhi of India is also respected for his works in India. He devoted his whole life for the independence of India. These peace activities are significant in the world history as nations took another step to a higher state. Then what could be our next step?

Peace Walk and The Declaration of World Peace

Official Objective of WARP

1. Announce a declaration after signing the agreement for the alliance of religions, cessation of war and world peace, and reporting through the press from all over the world.

2. Ratify and implement the world peace agreements for each religious body.

3. Appoint ambassadors of Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light to each continent and country.

4. Construct a powerful global network that integrates all groups. (Presidents, politicians, religious leaders, youth, women and press)

5. Determine peace movement for resolution of the regions in conflict throughout the world

6. Announce a global statement for the peaceful reunification of Korea

7. Create an alliance of women and youth groups from all over the world

8. Present knowledge from the successful achievement of the peace agreement in Mindanao and apply to other regions in conflict

HWPL 2nd Anniversary for Peace by TV5 News

What happened in Mindanao still astonishes me, because the movement towards peace did not just end with a simple agreement. The two different communities now work together to create a community, where harmony exists. Both sides returned their weapons along with the statue of peace. I hope that more statues of peace would be built throughout the world to open a new chapter of our history: an era of peace.

The Meaning of Heavenly Culture

What is the meaning of Heavenly Culture, which are the first two words of the peace organization led by Chairman Man Hee Lee? How can it be compared to the culture on earth? Humans in the past millenniums cultivated a fascinating culture through movements like the Renaissance or even the Age of Enlightenment. However, what is the culture on earth compared to the Heavenly Culture? Although there may be many interpretation on how this two words came to be, I would like to put it this way: A culture that reflect heaven.

The beauty of the culture that each nation possesses is obviously artistic and creative. However, it is subjective in nature. It is based on the inspiration of a person. Based on their emotion, a person or a group of people base their culture. This is why there are so many cultures and cultural reformation in the world. It is based on the trend of the people, because it is based on the people. And in the past people compare and share cultures, but also destroyed culture to erase the identity of a group of people. The culture on earth changes. It changes. We call this change, development. However, to where are we developing to? Is it perfection?

On the other hand, there is heavenly culture. Heavenly culture is based on the heaven. It is portrayed by the people on earth, but their focus is on heaven. It is not based on a specific group of people, but it brings different groups of people together towards one culture. It is a trend of culture that cannot change, because it is based on the heaven. The name of the organization HWPL includes a meaning that attempts to bring and identify people as one. Although the name may sound long and somewhat eccentric compared to other peace organization, it carries a meaning and the heart to create peace with everyone. It guides the people to look at the will of the heaven, rather than ourselves.

I believe that the peace movement of HWPL is the next cultural breakthrough that will be included in our history. This movement will allow us to transcend all cultures through heavenly culture.

The Vision of HWPL and IPYG

Why does the world need peace? Has there been any compensation given for their lost lives? This questions are not normally asked by the people, who are busy living their daily lives. This is only a concern for the few, who actually lost their loved ones in war. The people around them may sympathize with them, but it does not lead them to empathy. I also did not truly understand the loss of the loved ones, because none of my families were affected by the war. I only knew the suffering of those who lost their loved ones, but I never felt their pain with them, until I came across HWPL and Chairman Man Hee Lee. His messages made me realize the importance of peace and end of the war. The dedication that Mr. Man Hee Lee showed during the WARP Summit and the World Tours gave me an absolute realization that he does not have the solution and the key to world peace, because his messages did not only influence me to look at the world from a different perspective, but other youths and leaders as well. Those, who were busy fulfilling their personal dreams and goals for their nations, started to look at one single goal: world peace. This devotion that everyone showed at the WARP Summit and the Peace Walk will be the leading cause towards world peace. The small spark of light that started in the Korean Peninsula now spreads across the world to create a greater light.

A quote from the film, X-Men: Days of Future Past

In the film, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Dr. Trask, one of the main antagonist, talks about the history of the world. Although he talks in the manner to bring the mutants into extinction, he makes a point about the history of mankind.

"And how many of our sons and brothers did we just ship home in body bags? Maybe 50, 55,000? And how many more on the other side? Never before in all of human history has there been a cause, which could unite us as a species until now."

The intention of Dr. Trask is clear: to create a humanoid that will keep peace. His method turns out to be ineffective, because it becomes out of control. However, his quote implies that the ultimate enemy is extinction. And in the past we have been fighting against one another, which resulted the deaths of many youths. It is also true that there has not been a cause, which all people united to achieve.

I hope that this cause that would unite all of us is the peace movement. This movement started by Mr. Man Hee Lee and HWPL has been catching the attention of the world. And people around the world have been joining the movement as a peace advocate. This would open a new era of genuine and long lasting peace

Another step taken in Mindanao towards Peace

Last year, the conflict in an island that took away the lives of many people was resolved by Mr. Man Hee Lee's effort to bring the two leaders together. The leaders of each community agreed to stop the war and signed an agreement to start peace in the island. Recently, there has been another movement in Mindanao, which the Moro Islamic Liberation Front returned the weapons as a gesture of peace. This is the fruit of the peace agreement that started last year.

"The decommissioning of Moro Islamic Liberation Front is a big step towards achieving the desired lasting peace in Mindanao."

We hope that the peace process would continue to last and increase to serve as a role-model to the world. This is an amazing and inspiring action by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which shows their promise to create peace in Mindanao. This is a step towards a world of peace.

How to join IPYG

IPYG is an organization of international youth groups around the world that devotes its full attention to achieve world peace. The numbers of its members are growing every year. It started out as a small organization in the Korean peninsula few years ago, but today its number are in hundreds. This is a proof that youths want peace to be in their lives.

If you are interested in joining IPYG or if you are a leader of a youth group and you interested in joining the group, type ipyg.org and click 'Contact Us' and request for information.

Essay: A War on War

There are many debates on the question of is history subjective or objective in nature. When wars happen in front of eyes, we experience the horror of its disaster. If there could be a heaven on earth, at the location, in which the war happens, can be described as hell on earth. However, when a certain war becomes a part of a history, it is objectified. Historians research the effect and the motive of the war. And some wars may be re-evaluated in the course of time based on different historians.

Could there be a war that broke out for the sake of justice? Some say that the Crusades was for the righteous cause to protect the land, where their savior took the cross for the sins of the world. However, the Crusades like other wars in the past turned into a cause for greed and wealth. So, is there a war that turned out to be beneficial? I think one example that could be considered to be necessary and righteous is the American Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln initiated the war in order to stop the secession of the southern states, who disagreed with the policies of their president. This was a war to stop secession. Although the war may be evaluated and observed in various aspects, it was a war to stop division. It was not a war to take a way something from one another, but it was to stop the division of a young nation. For some the Civil War was an effort to allow their freedom. This resulted the modern United States of America with the last words of its national anthem: Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

Now, regardless of the positive effect that a war can offer, I do not agree with the idea of war at this era. When war is used as a solution, it will always leave something negative. Peace must be achieved through persuasion by exaggerating the importance of having peace, just like Mr. Man Hee Lee's proposal and the efforts of HWPL. So, from some perspective starting a War on War would be politically incorrect, but this war that we are starting is a different type of war, which would change the meaning inside the word, "war".

Essay: War and Peace

War. What is it good for? The song sung by Edwin Starr poses a question to its listeners. Each nation spend countless financial resources for the preparation of a possible war. Although some countries need military power, in order to protect themselves from neighboring nation, it is somewhat amazing to see how much funds we spend on to harm someone.

The investment that we make in the security of our nation is obviously not wrong, but it seems that it would be better to find a better solution. The funds that we use to develop the military could be used for something else, such as social welfare and for technical innovation that would improve our daily lifestyle. It does not mean I do not appreciate our veterans or current soldiers, who sacrifice their lives for the welfare of our nation. However, I think we could find a different solution that would help everyone to enjoy a safe and secure life.

HWPL proposes world peace and end of war. Since the WARP Summit, many people, especially in the religious world, have been making efforts to bring peace and unity in their own communities. And like many philosophers and great thinkers mentioned in their individual writings, peace must be achieved within ourselves. We need to want peace in our heart. Then, a change will happen naturally as we work to find a solution together. Our level of conscience needs to increase in terms of our treatment to our neighbors. This all returns back to the basic teaching of love.

The world is divided into so many different pieces. This does not mean the geographical separation of continents. Luckily there is a limit to how many continents we are divided into. However, we find a way to communicate and to travel to the different continents. Our separation does not stop us from reaching to different parts of the world. However, it seems harder to reach out to one another in terms of spiritual or ideological separation. There have been efforts to achieve ecumenical beliefs among the Christian denomination. However, still in addition to countless denominations of Christianity, from which started from only one man, many other religions exist in the world that claims to believe in the Creator.

We are divided into many nations with ideological differences and inside the individual nation, we are divided in many different ways in terms of values and beliefs on what should be truth. War is not specifically limited to an act to kill or harm someone physically. However, what is it good for? It only brings suffering and division in this small planet (compared to the whole universe) that we call home. Peace is when we start walking in the same direction under one guidance. This guidance comes from heaven. We all claim to have our own answers to truth, however, there is one heaven and one Creator. Thus, there is one answer. Our vision to discover this answer must be the banner that unites us together. We are common in this way, and nothing else matters. Our ego and motivation to seek the answer must not harm someone, who disagrees with us.

We are all walking in the same direction, only in different way. This differences does not matter, because we are eventually all walking in the same direction. The miracle in the WARP Summit 2014 was truly amazing, because even though it was a small number of people compared to the global population, people with different belief and answers agreed to achieve peace together under the Creator. And the spirit of the WARP Summit and the vision of HWPL is being carried out today through the establishment of WARP Offices in different countries of the world.

We invest in arms and weapons in fear of a war. However, if this fear disappears through the peace, imagine how much impact it could make in our individual lives. I hope for that day to come to us soon. The vision of Mr. Man Hee Lee inspired my friends and I to work for peace. We can all become a peace advocate in our community.

~Peace