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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