14. Keep The Center (February 26, 2007)

Hyung Jin Moon
February 26, 2007
Chungshim Youth Center
Chung Pyung, Korea

I used to be bald, but now I am a non-bald man. I actually got in trouble this morning. Before coming here, Mother told me to wear a suit. I told her, "Mom I will wear a suit in my mind," and I ran like crazy down here. I'll probably be scolded when I go back up there. "Mom, use the small stick please; the large one hurts." [Laughter]

I would like begin by sharing with you the key points I talked about last year. I'm sure many of you came last year, but this is what I said. I spoke about theologically elevating and glorifying True Parents as the leaders of the tradition, providing resources to help prevent historical schisms and preserving the cosmic value of True Parents.

We discussed these points last year: Homoousios, homoousios, and that in early Christianity them were many discussions about different doctrines related to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in relation to Jesus. I also spoke about preventing historical theological failures, and keeping the center. We should keep the center -- there can he no new True Parents, no new king, no new center. These were the points I talked about.

Case one

Let's study the history of religions. The Roman Catholic Church, for example (Chrmujugyo in Korean) is the oldest and largest Christian church. It is the oldest and largest centralized religious organization in the world. Of course, Bishop Milingo knows. At the end of 2004, the Catholic Church had approximately 1.09 billion members. We can say that one sixth of the world's population is a member of the Catholic Church.

So, in 381 during the Nicene-Constantinople conference, this phrase came up, [he reads in Greek] This is what the Roman Catholic Church uses to identify itself. It means "the one, holy; catholic [meaning 'universal.] and apostolic church." "Apostolic" means that it is connected to those who personally followed Jesus Christ. The Roman Catholic Church is a tradition descending from Peter. We can find those four descriptive terms in the Bible, I Cor 12:27. It was inspired by that particular biblical verse.

The pope is the bishop of Rome and Peter's successor; that's the formal definition of the pope. The pope is at the center of this tradition, which comes from Peter, and he is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the entire church, the company of the faithful. He is the Vicar of Christ and the supreme pontiff of the church and has papal infallibility; essentially; he is the definitive interpreter of the doctrine.

Under the pope are bishops, who are constituted pastors of the Church to be teachers of doctrine, priests of sacred worship and ministers of governance. That's their formal description. The pope, cardinals, patriarchs, primates, archbishops and metropolitans are all bishops and members of the Catholic episcopate or College of Bishops.

Then there is the College of Cardinals. I'm sure you remember seeing many cardinals when Pope John Paul passed away. Cardinals are selected by the pope. The College of Cardinals generally selects bishops to head episcopal sees. This refers to the Roman curia. The Vatican is actually a separate stale, as I understand it, from Italy. Cardinals advise the pope in matters of church and faith. Cardinals under the age of eighty select the pope during a papal vacancy. As of January 7, 2007, there were 185 cardinals; 111 were under eighty. That's some background information about the Roman Catholic Church.

That is the Roman Catholic Church now, but when we look at early Christianity, it is a very different story. As you all know, the first Christian emperor was Constantine. His was the first Christian royal family. Later, the Athanasius and Arius debate arose.

The homoousios doctrine states that Jesus is the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, while the homoiousios doctrine states that they were similar. That's what (Athanasius vs. Arius] was all about. We have the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church -- all because of this. Some people supported Athanasius, who believed in homoousios. Arius believed in homoiousios. They debated among themselves. In the end, the sons of Constantine took sides. You need to study many things about history if you wish to understand the Trinitarian disputes. When I was in Harvard, there was a very famous person whose focus was the Trinitarian Theology.

Trinitarian disputes and relations

This deals with economic and political issues. Trinitarian theology' was connected to the political issues of early Christianity. The early theological disputes become legitimizing factors for schisms in early Christianity.

Let's look at Constantine and his succession legacy. We have some information about Constantine. He is known as the first Roman emperor to "embrace" Christianity; although he also supported other non-Christian "pagan" religions. He was of tremendous help to Christianity, granting it legal status as a religion (rep igia licita) in the 313 Edict of Milan. He died in 337, leaving his empire to three sons -- Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans -- who were from his second wife, Fausta.

The first son, Constantine II, supported Athanasius and the homoousios doctrine, which claims that Jesus the Son was also the Father and the Holy Spirit, in other words, that Jesus was God -- not similar to God, but God Himself.

The second son, Constantius II, believed that Jesus was not God and that God created Jesus. He led a massacre of those of his relatives who descended from the second marriage of his grandfather Constantius Chlorus and Theodora. The family split over competing theological doctrines in a feud for political and religious power. In 340, the first son, Constantine II, died while trying to usurp the position held by his brother Constans, who eventually became the ruler of the west. In 350, Constans, the third son, died in a battle with forces allied with the "usurper Magnentius." Christians regarded Magnentius as a heathen. Then, Constantius, the second son, defeated Magnentius in the battle of Mursa Major.

We can find numerous historical examples of schisms from the Christian tradition, such as the "Incident at Antioch," a schism between Pauline Christianity and Jewish Christianity, circa AD 50, the Donatist schism, beginning in 311; and the Great Schism of 1054, which was one of the largest schisms in Christianity. A number of denominations resulted from schisms, such as the Scottish Reformation in 1560, the Jansen-ism schism of 16-13 and the one between Anglican Communion and the Continuing Anglican Movement in 1977.

What we can learn

What we can learn from this is that although the brothers were intended to rule together, they ended up at war with one another, with the people of the empire divided and mobilized under their respective leaders. There is no unified empire in this model; Christianity was completely divided. It split into Eastern and Western Catholic Christianity; which still exist today. It all began then, in the early years.

Case two

We will now look at Islam and I will explain a little about Muhammad. In the Islamic tradition, Muhammad is the final prophet of God. He is the restorer of the "original" monotheistic faith of Adam, Abraham and the other prophets whose messages were "corrupted" or "misinterpreted" over time. In 632, Muhammad passed away; and there was no apparent successor. This is when the Sunni and Shia factions split. The Sunni tradition began from Abu Bakr, who was Mohammed's father-in-law; while the Shia tradition comes from Mohammed's cousin, Ali ibn Abi Talib. The Sunni faction is currently the dominant tradition in present-day Islam.

Let's go back in history and look at Mohammed's life. On September 9, 622, he emigrated or fled from Mecca to Medina. In Mecca, there was the Kaaba, to which the Muslims go to worship. Back then, non-Muslims did not worship God but various Arabian deities within the Kaaba. The people in Mecca did not like Muhammad because he was a proponent of a radical monotheism and spoke of a day of judgment. So Mohammed's own tribe drove him out of Mecca. An assassination attempt forced him to flee to Medina in 622.

In Medina, Muhammad's followers became a political and military force. Eight years later, in 630, they returned to Mecca as conquerors and purged the Kaaba of its idolatrous worship and restored it as a holy place of God.

There were two groups in Medina -- the Muhajinm and the Ansar. The Muhajinm, meaning "emigrants," were those who followed Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622. The Ansar, or "helpers," were citizens of Medina who helped Muhammad and the Muhajirun upon their arrival. Simply put, there were two groups. After Muhammad's death, the Muhajirun and the Ansar disagreed and threatened to split the unnma, the community of Muslim faithful.

The Meeting of Sagifah was held to select a successor to Prophet Mohammed. "Sagifab" is Arabic for "small house." Most scholars agree the process took several months. Abu Bakr was named, but some disagreed and refused to swear allegiance to him. They chose to follow Mohammed's cousin, Ali, as the true leader and successor. This is how the Islam tradition split into Sunni and Shia.

The Sunnis and Shias have different narratives of what happened. The Sunnis tell the Shias their version, and the Shias tell their version to the Sunnis. It is very complicated. The Sunni say that Ali eventually willingly submitted to Abu Bakr after Ali's wife Fatima, who was the daughter of Muhammad, passed away six months after Muhammad did.

But the Shia disagree. They believe that Ali was pressured and threatened to submit and that Umar, who was Muhammad's lieutenant during his lifetime and a leader of the followers, killed Fatima and their unborn son. Umar became one of the leaders of the Abu Bakr group. This is the Sunni tradition.

What the Shia say is so different from what the Sunnis say; each denomination contradicts the other. With the way they narrate the story of the passing of Prophet Muhammad, the Shia blame the Sunnis for murdering Muhammad's daughter and grandchild.

What we can learn

There can be great conflict and confusion in the time directly after a central figure's absence when dormant disagreements between followers might emerge, possibly resulting in violence and schism. We do not want this. Followers formed groups under different members of Mohammed's family and used the family members' authority to claim to be the "true" tradition. It happened in this particular case. Some people grouped under the father-in-law, while another group formed under the son-in-law and the daughter of Muhammad.

The Sunni-Shia schism began in the early years of Islam. The different groups employ different narratives in accordance with their own objectives and to legitimize their leader. This happens both in the case of Abu Bakr and in the case of Ali. It is a regrettable chapter in the history of religions. When I was studying for my master's degree, I focused on the early years of each religion, especially early Christianity. I also studied various doctrines and ideologies. I wrote one paper comparing the ideology of Jonathon Moschus with that of Buddhism and Taoism. I found the early years of any religion to be the most crucial time.

Case three

That was a medieval period example. Let's go into a Confucian one. We will deal with Confucianism in Korea during the Joseon (or Yi) Dynasty. This dynasty ran from 1392 to 1910. Since there are many leaders here from outside of Korea, I will give a brief overview of the Joseon Dynasty. It was founded by General Yi Seong-gye, who was enthroned with the name King Iaejo. It was one of the world's longest running monarchies and was the world's longest ruling Confucian dynasties. It was founded in Kaesong but the capital was later moved to Seoul, which is why Seoul is a major city now. The Joseon Dynasty encouraged the entrenchment of Confucian learning and ideals and heavily imported Chinese culture into Korea.

When we look at the Joseon Dynasty's early years, we see they enforced a strict caste system. There was a king at the top of the pyramid. The Tangban formed the government-official class or upper class. There was a very small middle class of merchants and government employees, the Jourgir; the majority of the population were Saagnrin -- peasants, laborers and fishermen. The Sangmin were forced to pay heavy taxes, up to 50 percent of their produce. They were coerced into military conscription whenever it was mandated and experienced forced labor and brutal punishments. Scholars estimate that 30 percent of the Korean population was made up of Chronnrin. They were slaves, an even a lower class than Sangmin. Slave prices were set by the government, which owned 45,000 slaves. We can confirm this according to a I467 slave count, which is available in the historical record. The government also set the age when the slave's children should begin working. Slave children were sold as well.

In the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, Hideoshi Toyotomi of Japan and Qing China invaded Korea. Because of this, the Joseon Dynasty was severely weakened and developed an isolationist policy leading Korea to be known by surrounding nations as the "Hermit Kingdom."

In 1895, Korea was made independent from the Qing tributary system by the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which came about as a result of Japan's victory in the Sino-Japanese War. In 1910, the Joseon Dynasty came to a formal end in the Treaty of Annexation with Korea's annexation by Japan.

Let's move on to an early conflict during King Taejo's time, "The First Strife of Princes." King Taejo viewed his fifth son (Yi Bang-won) by his first wife (Queen Sineui) as having contributed most to his victory over Komi and thought of him as a worthy candidate for successor. Jong Do-jeun was a minister, one of the key allies in overthrowing the Koryo Dynasty and also a consultant. Jong Do-jeun did not like this fifth son. They hated each other.

In an attempt to change the king's mind, Jong Do-jeun convinced the king to choose the son he loved most. So in 1392, Taejo's eighth son, Yi Bang-seok, was named Prince Royal Successor. Jong Do-jeun, meanwhile, planned to assassinate Yi Bang-won, who, remember, is the fifth son, in order to consolidate his position in the court and take out a political enemy. But in 1395, Yi Bang-won raided the palace, killed long Do-jeun, and the two sons of Taejo's second wife, including the Prince Royal Successor, Vi Bang-wok. It's a complicated story.

Appalled by the fact that his sons were murdering each other for the crown, King Taejo crowned Vi Bang-gwa, his second son, king. Yi Bang-won, the fifth son, opposed that and attempted to become the "Royal Prince Successor Brother," but Yi Bang-gan, the fourth son, who also desired power, opposed this move. In 1400, these tensions rose and the factions collided. Yi Bang-gan, the fourth son and Yi Bang-won, the fifth son collided. Yi Bang-won was victorious. He exiled his brother, Bang-gan, and executed all Bang-gan's supporters. Yi Bang-gwa, the second son, who had already been crowned king, was intimidated and abdicated. He surrendered the throne to Bang-won, who was so intimidating. Bang-won thus became King Taejong. He committed many shameful deeds to become King Taejong.

In 1405, King Taejong investigated aristocratic landowners who had avoided land tax by hiding land they had acquired. He took the aristocrats' lands from them as well as their right to muster or create private armies. He severed their ability to create large-scale revolutions. At the same time King Taejong increased the size of his own army.

What we can learn

We can see that this particular monarchy was an ineffective system of government. It had to employ a rigid caste system and to be constantly wary of revolt or revolution by competing factions or powerful individuals. What impact did this have on the nation? We see this inherent stability stifled prosperity; creativity, freedom and innovation. In this historical case, we see that government became a facilitator of slavery and of class distinction. It became a facilitator of oppression. The majority of the population -- estimated by scholars at over 50 percent -- experienced extreme poverty and forced labor. Caste systems are employed in an attempt to create stability but result in an oppressive governmental structure.

We see that successors to King Taejong created an extremely bad history; there were murders, competition, and jealousy between common successors. This monarchy entrusted all power to one individual, which created a volatile and unstable form of government, because it could violently shift. It could change so quickly. It prevented checks and balances, and it increased the risk of violent and oppressive rule and tyranny. You can see from the conflicts and internal struggles that the king's legacy was stained. As with the biblical legacy of Adam and Eve and with their children, it was stained.

Case four

Let's go to the next case study, which is from sixteenth and seventeenth century Japan. This is a story of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Western members may not be familiar with this particular story. Tokugawa Ieyasu was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled from 1600 to 1868 until the Meiji Restoration, when Japan modernized. After Hidevoshi's passing, Ieyasu became the de facto ruler. He became the ruler of Japan with his victory in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600.

If we look at Tokugawa's history, we find he was taken hostage at the age of nine by the Imagawa clan, enemies of the Oda clan. In 1560, Imagawa Yoshimoto, the head of Imagawa clan, was killed in battle by Oda Nobunaga. These are very famous figures in Japanese history.

Ieyasu made a secret alliance with the Oda clan and in 1561. He officially broke his allegiance to the Imagawa clan. He had to capture Kaminojo fortress, which he did, because his wife and child were still in the hands of the Imagawa clan. He told the king at Kaminojo fortress, "I'll give you your wife if you give me my wife back." They had an exchange.

In 1583, Toyotomi Hideyoshi battled Shibata Katsuie for rule of Japan in the battle of Shizugatake and was victorious. At that point, Toyotomi Hideyoshi became the most powerful daimyo in Japan. But Tokugawa supported Oda against Hideyoshi. In the Battle of Nagakute, Ieyasu was victorious and Hideyoshi negotiated with the Oda clan and offered a truce to Ieyasu. In 1590, Hideyoshi offered to exchange the five provinces under Ieyasu's rule for the eight provinces in the Kanto region.

He made this deal with leyasu. So Ieyasu took a great risk and agreed. He left his home province and trusted the uncertain loyalty of the Kanto samurai. He pacified the Kanto samurai, improved the economic infrastructure of Kanto and slowly built his authority there. In a few years, he was right under Hideyoshi. He was the second most influential daimyo in Japan in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.

In 1598, Hideyoshi, with failing health, created a Council of Five Elders, who would be responsible for ruling on behalf of Hideyoshi's son, Hideyori, after Hideyoshi passed away. Ieyasu became one of the five regents, one of the five elders -- the most powerful amongst them. Over the next two years, which was after Hideyoshi's passing, he made alliances with daimyo that had opposed Hideyoshi. This angered the four other elders in the group, so they waged war (Again in this example, too). It was in 1601, at the Battle of Sekigahara; 160,000 men faced off in battle and Tokugawa was victorious.

What we can learn

In this example, after Hideyoshi had passed away, we see that the intentions of even a powerful person can change after a leader passes away. In this case, Ieyasu abandoned the leader's last wish.

 Hideyoshi created the Council of Five to rule until his son came of age, but the regents waged war. There was war between them. Hideyoshi's son's "birthright" was usurped. He became a common citizen and Ieyasu became the king of Japan. The lineage of Hideyoshi switched, and Hideyoshi's lineage was replaced in Japan with Ieyasu's lineage. Ieyasu became that de facto ruler.

Case five

This is about a modern-day religion, the Church of Latter Day Saints, also known as the Mormons. As you know, the Mormons go back nearly two hundred years. Yet, they have become a large organization in modern times.

The Church of Latter Day Saints was organized by the founder, Joseph Smith Jr., on April 5, 1830. Within their traditions, Smith was the "Prophet, the Seer and the Revelator," even prior to the organization of the church. Originally, the highest leadership position of the church was that of an "elder," what they called an apostle. Smith initially held the position of "First Elder." A friend and advisor, Oliver Cowdery, became the "Second Elder," initially. This was before the real organization of the movement.

The Mormons used a different system from other religions. They were exceptional. In 1832, the First Presidency was created. There were three individuals, three presidents, within this presidency. In 1832, they were Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Jesse Gouse. The governing body of the Church was the Council, which had a president and two counselors. Basically it was Joseph Smith working with Sidney Rigdon and Jesse Gouse. It gets complicated: simply put, there were three people in the first presidency -- Joseph Smith, at the center, Sidney Rigdon and Jesse Gouse.

On February 17, 1834, Smith organized what they called the High Council. Their role was of a judicial and legislative body. Twelve men were organized under the first three, who are at the top. This particular High Council handled issues within the church like excommunication trials or approval of church spending, for example. However, in 1844, when Smith died in prison in Carthage, Illinois, they got rid of the High Council.

In 1835, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was organized. The members, or the apostles, had a special calling. They called them "evangelical ambassadors" and "witnesses" to Jesus Christ. Basically it is the second leadership role within the Mormon Church as of today. The major role of this quorum is to appoint a successor when the president of the Mormon Church passes away. They meet in the Salt Lake temple and lay hands on his head in ordaining a new president. Of course, this is usually the most senior member of this quorum. The Mormon Church acknowledges their elders.

In the 1830s, the Quorum of the Seventy was organized. These were seventy ministers under the twelve. The seventy in this group were "traveling ministers"; inspired by Luke 10:1-2, they were charged with preaching to the world. These seventy operated under the direction of the twelve apostles. As of 2005, there are eight quorums of seventy, because the church is so large. With over 12 million people, they've had to multiply the groups of seventy ministers. This group of seventy has become a very important layer between local and general church administration.

They provide consistency in doctrine. They provide alignment with the Church's traditions and ideals. They meet face to face with the Mormon followers. They are the face of the general church administration. There are now 12 million members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They are only about a hundred years older than we are. I'm sure we will he greater in number a hundred years from now.

Why has "non-bald man" given these examples?

Because we are no longer a wandering tribe, we are a world family tinder God and True Parents. We need to be clear that for all eternity; True Parents are the eternal king and queen of peace; they are the central and absolute authority of the nation; they are the revelators, victors and manifestations of God's providence and will. They are eternal. We have to start thinking for when they are not with us physically. Once they are not with us physically; the children and constituents need rules of behavior to create lasting harmony and unity, and the ideal peace kingdom...

Let's look. This is what Father talked about a couple of days ago. Let's look at some of the guidance that Father gives us. This is the address that Father gave just a few days ago and one of the peace messages as well.

"The heavenly kingdom is a world overflowing with God's true love. True love is its axis."

"The kingdom of heaven is a natural world where all people live for the sake of one another. Consequently, antagonism and jealousy cannot he found anywhere in that world. It is a world that is not governed by money; position or power. Then, the success of every person represents the success of the whole, the likes of every person represents the likes of the whole, and the joy of every person represents the joy of the whole."

"The family links in all directions -- up and down, front and back, right and left. They revolve around each other in everlasting spherical motion. This is the eternal God's model ideal family which expands to ideal model nations and a peaceful, ideal kingdom. This means we need a movement to realize a society of interdependence, mutual prosperity and universally shared values. We need to make humanity one great family."

There are three main categories among the people who follow True Parents.

The first, of course, is the True Family. This is the direct blood lineage of True Parents' victorious foundation. Father announced the twelve tribes on the January 3, this year. Father acknowledged all the True Sons and Daughters of True Parents.

The second category is the ministers. Ministers are different from the general members. In our church, there may be a slight difference in the status of the ministers and that of the blessed family members. Ministers guide the members. Father has raised and guided such these religious leaders, who have served and sacrificed. These are our ministers.

Then there are the blessed central families. We have many of them now, millions around the world. They have been converted to the true lineage through the blessing.

This is our model of the ideal family.

The sustainability of God and True Parents' legacy

We are focusing here on the children (True Family members, ministers and blessed central families). True Parents and God are absolute. They do not change. Wherever you go in the Unification tradition, in the future, in every nation, they are the center. But how do we create eternal, long-lasting, continuous unity among the children? The children are from the True Family, from the ministers and their families and from the blessed, central Families. How do we create continuous unity?

Let's look at some models. We have models in the world today and in the past that we can look at to compare with or just look at. I have studied religion at school but I'm not an expert, so I would simply like to talk about the strengths and weaknesses of each category.

Communism -- the strength, we can say was their striving for egalitarianism and equality which can inspire vast popular support. The biggest weakness is, of course, that they do not believe in God. Communism denies that God exists and completely rejects religion. Not one Communist Party in history has ever succeeded. They have repeatedly failed. They failed to actualize their ideology.

The second model we can look at is pure democracy. This is a democracy not like in America or in Korea, which are called democratic republics. Pure democracy is the will of the people. That's it. The strength here is that, theoretically, every individual is heard from and you may get "buy in," from the citizens. However, there are weaknesses. The weaknesses are there are chaotic shifts as the opinions of the masses shift quickly. It has a very chaotic potential. And minorities are not protected. In America, for example, minorities are protected whether they be Asian-American minorities or Spanish-American minorities or Native American minorities, etc. Protection for them is explicitly sought.

If we move to a democratic republic model, we have some strengths -- checks and balances, accountability and leaders that the nation chooses through the election process. We also have weaknesses, such as bureaucracy and time-consuming processes.

Another model is a constitutional monarchy United Kingdom is an example. Great Britain is formally known as a constitutional monarchy, which has the strength that it acknowledges lineage. There is the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and of course, Queen Elizabeth and the monarchy. There are checks and balances, because the prime minister is elected. Their weaknesses are similar to democratic republics -- bureaucracy and time-consuming processes.

The next model is an absolute monarchy. An example of that in the present day would be the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We can say their strengths are acknowledgement of lineage and perhaps quick implementations of mandates, but their weaknesses include a high risk of tyranny and the lack of a just legal structure.

Another model even up to the modern age is dictatorship. I guess you can say a strength is a quick implementation of mandates. I couldn't think of another strength. I thought about it for a long time but I only came up with one. The weaknesses are of course, total oppression and lack of freedom, innovation and prosperity.

This next slide has reminders that we are no longer a wandering tribe. We are a world; we are a movement that touches across nations. We have African brothers and sisters. We have Latvian brothers and sisters. We have Russian brothers and sisters. The unification community has grown tremendously.

These are other points that I made earlier: True Parents are the center. That does not change. Once they are not with us physically, we need rules for the children because -- as you all know -- children don't always listen. We want to be able to create the rules of behaviors for the children and the constituents, so that we can do what Father wants us to do, which is to create this kingdom.

You all have children, don't you? I have a seven-year-old boy. Whenever I ask him to do something he will just touch me and run. Children, I'm sure, sometimes behave like that. We have to teach them not to do certain things. (Men are strong so they shouldn't hit young boys, even if they are fighting amongst themselves.)

We are an ideal family and nation, one family tinder God. This is a constant message that Father is giving us -- one family under God. It's amazing. Even just this morning Father talked about democracy and communism. He emphasized that we were not "family-ism" but Unificationism. During Hoon Dok Hae, Father said that we must create Unificationism.

God, True Father and True Mother do not change. The children -- True Children, ministers and blessed central families are all children of True Parents. How do we continue to create lasting peace? I think Father hints at it. On January 3, 2007, Father proclaimed the twelve tribes. If the True Family can have a council where all the family members are recognized...

Honestly speaking, Ye-jin nuna. Hyo-jin hyung. Heung-jin hyung, In-jin nuna, Un-jin nuna, Hvun-jin hyung, Kook-jin hyung, Kwon-jin hyung, Sun-jin nuna, Young-jin hyung -- he passed away, so did Heung-jin hyung -- Yeon-jin and Jeong-jin are all my family. I love them all. I thought about how we can all work together.

The children should work together in the presence of the True Parents to honor their legacy and leave it for history to see. How can all of us -- the True Family, ministers, from the thirty-six couples to all those ministers who were blessed, ministers who attended True Parents for a long time, their families and all blessed families -- work as a team? How can we go forth hand in hand? This is very important.

My conclusion

Let's not shame the True Parents' legacy with schism, feuds or ecclesiastic politics. Let's work together to create a Cheon II Guk that will provide an eternal model and legacy of freedom, unification, harmony and happiness that will include all our brothers and sisters. We are all family. Let's make True Parents shine before our descendants, before history; before our world and before our Heavenly God! God is watching.

I have studied many things until now, from history and religion, and thought long and hard about these things. Father told us that the True Family must do it, so I have also discussed this with the other True Children. As we go forward from now, the question is how can we bring the church to become an organization that can truly practice Unificationism and present Unificationism before Father. This is very important.

You are all here at this Cheon II Guk leaders meeting. Many of our leaders, beloved blessed families and ministers are here with us today. How can all of our blessed families, ministers and the members of the True Family preserve the twelve tribes, work together to allow our church to prosper for a hundred, a thousand and tens of thousands of years so that True Parents and God can shine in history? I think this is very important.

I'm sure that many of the members and ministers have already thought about the things I have said today. Many of our members are thinking about this. When I was studying at the theological seminary; many outside people kept asking me these questions. Not only the world but even our children and grandchildren are closely watching us to see if we are really doing what we believe in, in this age.

If you study the world's religions, you find that the new religions must successfully pass through various phases in order to prosper continuously. I can tell you clearly that if you look in textbooks on the world's religions at the religious leaders from the past two hundred years or the past five thousand years, no one can compare to Father. There has not been a single person in history that was able to build a church this big in his lifetime.

From an objective point of view, the Mormons, Bahia or Soka Gakkai have all been around about a hundred years more than we have. There is no church in history that can compare to what our ministers, their families and members who attended Father have created to this day. I truly hope that our children, our grandchildren and their grandchildren can continue to flourish from now so that we can create an ideal nation and a world of harmony; peace, unity and happiness. Father, too, expects great things. I hope that we can show our children a new world. Thank you very much.

13. Heart Training (June 28, 2007)

Hyung Jin Moon
June 28, 2007
Japan

Good morning. Every day I do a "heart-training" together with brothers and sisters. I would like to do it here also before I start to speak.

First, let's warm up. Please close your eyes. We'll do a little warm-up. Imagine your kitchen. Imagine it in detail - where you have chopsticks, where the table is. Actually it's a bit difficult to visualize everything in detail. However, if we start moving within this image, we'll be able to see everything more precisely.

For example, let's go to the fridge. See how your hand moves and opens the fridge. When you open it, you see a glass of water. Take it in your hand. Feel its wetness and temperature, feel how cool it is. Drink the water and put the glass on the table. As you have experienced, it's much easier to visualize things when you move.

Now, imagine that you are not in your kitchen, but in a cell of the Hungnam Prison, alone. Right in front of you, there's a window with a bar it. See how you hand moves towards it, and grab the bar. Feel it.

It's made of steel. It's cold. You cannot move it. Now look at the wall to your right side. Walk towards this wall. See how your hand moves. Stroke the wall. It is very old, so when you touch it, little stones peel off the wall. Look at the back side of the room. There's a metal bucket in one corner. Walk towards that bucket. Watch both of your hands go toward that bucket. Take it in your hands. You know what this is. It's the toilet that prisoners use. Father says that when he was in prison he slept right next to such a bucket to train himself.

Go back to the center of the room. Right in front of you there is a window with a bar. Sit down on the floor. Touch it. The earthen floor is cold. In this place, in this environment, let us say a prayer for 3 minutes, which Father used to say all the time when he was in prison.

When you inhale, say, "I'm alive," when you exhale, say, "Thank you!" Keep saying these words as you breathe in and out. Control you mind and body during these 3 minutes and don't move. Let's start our prayer. When you inhale, say, "I'm alive," when you exhale, say, "Thank you!"

Look once again at the wall to your right side. We hear that Father is right in the next room. In your imagination rise, make a step towards that wall and make a full bow in front of it.

Thank you for your efforts. Father says he kept saying that prayer of gratitude while in Hungnam prison. He says he even thanked people who beat him while his hands were tied. He also was grateful to the people who fed him, even though they were simply throwing food to him as if he were a dog. Sometimes when we drive a car we turn on a radio and listen to a program. Imagine that every time you turn on a radio the announcer says, "You're a looser. You'll fail, no matter what you do."

Would you like this kind of program? Sure, you wouldn't. However without our being aware of this, our mind broadcasts this kind of a program. According to one scientific survey, every person has 50 to 60 thousand thoughts a day, and more than 30 thousand of these thoughts are negative.

Through our training we must learn to change these negative thoughts. We need to train ourselves, so that whenever these negative thoughts come to us - "I'm a looser. I can't do it. I'm going to fail," we can think, "Father was in much worse circumstances and still he was grateful, therefore my heart must be like his."

One scholar made a study of our church back in 1970s. He pointed out that most members of the Unification Church were single. Is Family Federation an organization of singles? But in 1970s he wrote that in his survey. Now, in 2007, the circumstances of our church have greatly changed.

What are these changes? In 1970s most members were working for the church full time. Are you still doing it now? You received the Blessing and have children. So, now, in 2007, we are not a church of single people anymore, we became a family church.

For the first time in our church's history we have families with 3 generations - grandparents and grandchildren - in our church. Actually the age has come for the first time in history when we can embody all principal notions of our philosophy: the four-position foundation, the four great realms of heart, the three great kingships, the ideal of true family and so forth. We couldn't do it in 70s, because church members didn't have families. So, I view this time as very important.

Try doing like this - look at you fingers and quickly connect tips of your index fingers. Do it only once. It's not difficult, is it? Now close one eye and try doing it again. It's more difficult, right? Our two eyes should move in accord with each other. By the same token, it's important that the development of our church is accompanied by strengthening of our families.

We use our both eyes together. In the same manner we must fulfill these two responsibilities together - responsibility for the church and responsibility for our family. We should have two ears. We need two nostrils to smell the fragrance of cherry blossoms. We need two lips in order to speak. In the same way these two tasks - church and family - should go together.

There's one prominent scholar in Seattle, USA, who researched parenthood. He classified all parents into four types. Here are some examples. Let's say a child is crying because his gold fish has died.

Looking at this, parents of the first type would say, "Hey, why are you crying? It's just a goldfish, not your mom who died." Parents of the second type in the same circumstances would show sympathy for a child saying something like, "Oh, poor thing!" but offer no solutions. Parents of the third type will do the following: First, they also express sympathy for a kid, but then they would say, "Okay, and now let's eat something delicious!" That is, they try to change the atmosphere. This scholar has been studying these three types of parents and their children for 30 years. So, what's his conclusion?

The conclusion is that children of the parents who belong to these 3 types keep having problems throughout their whole life. For example, problems with employment. They cannot stay for a long time in any place and keep changing their jobs all the time. Their marriages are unstable, they tend to divorce. They are not very successful students.

Their ability to build relationships with people is very poor. That's what the scholar has discovered.

However he mentioned that there is also a fourth type of parent. How do parents of this fourth type react in the same circumstances? They are really special. Only 2 percent of all parents in the world belong to this category. So what do they do?

In the same situation with dead goldfish, they first of all express sympathy for their child. But next they do something really special. What is it? After expressing sympathy they ask their child, "What shall we do now?" They use questions.

The child may say through tears, "We must bury the fish." So they do it together with the child. Then they ask the child again, "What would be good to do next? Shall we place some flowers on the grave?" And if the child says "yes" they do that. This is the fourth type of parents. The scholar studied these parents also for 30 years.

So what did he discover in these 30 years? Children of parents of the fourth type are successful in all respects. They usually take professions which are considered prestigious and respectable in the society, for example, medical doctors. Such people tend to divorce less. They study well. They have very good interpersonal skills.

These 4 types of parents are actually 4 types of approach to problem solving. First type is oppressive. When there is a problem, for example, when a child is crying, they simply try to oppress him or her, "Why are you crying? Why are fraying my nerves?"

When such a child grows up and, let's say, gets a job, whenever there is a problem he tends to simply say, "It's because of him or her. Don't trust that person." Naturally, such a person cannot easily gain trust of surrounding people. He keeps criticizing others, so his popularity naturally drops.

Second style is sympathetic. If you work with such a person you can hear all the time, "Yes, this is a difficult problem. It's so bad. It must be so hard for you." But he will never give you a solution.

Finally, people don't go to him when they have difficulties, because he can never help them solve problems. He may be unaware of this, but his popularity also goes down and he cannot earn trust of his colleagues.

What's a third type of a child? It's the one who tries to change circumstances. If you happen to work with such a person, whenever you have a problem, he'd say, "I don't know how to solve the problem. Let's just go and grab something to eat." He tries to make some excuses to quickly get out of the unpleasant situation. To work with such a person is very frustrating - whenever there is a problem that needs to be solved he just wants to eat. It's so frustrating.

Naturally this person also loses popularity and cannot gain people's trust. Fourth type is trying to solve a problem through a certain process. When there is a problem, he recognizes its difficulty and expresses his sympathy to you, but next he asks your opinion, "What do you think we can do in this situation?"

In other words, he kind of embraces you; he instills into you a sense of ownership and proposes to think on the solution together. Since he always "embraces" others, he acknowledges them, wants to know their opinion, he can guide people very naturally and his popularity grows. It happens naturally, he doesn't assert his authority.

We often think of good problem solvers as of people who any time have an answer to any question, but in fact these people don't always have answers and solutions. However when there is a problem to which such a person doesn't know the answer he or she includes other people into solution inviting them to think together, because he or she knows that through such a process solution will surely be found.

Once, one Ambassador for Peace after hearing explanations about these 4 types of parents asked me, "So, what percent of parents in Family Federation belong to the fourth type?" That was a difficult question. Maybe only 2 percent.

In 80s and 90s some scholars actually believed that an influence exerted by parents on their children is not so great. Instead they claimed that peers, culture of the surrounding society and mass media influence children much more than their parents do.

However the research I told you about just before shows that actually parents' influence on children is very big. Parents' behavior determines whether children's life becomes a series of problems or a sequence of victories. That's how great the parental influence on children is.

Do you know what memories are most deeply engraved in children's minds? These are the memories of the time spent with their parents. But there is one type of memories which is especially deep in children's minds. Do you know what it is? To put it simply, it's a time parents spent with them one to one. It's true for all people.

However what do we do when we spend time one to one with our children? At such times we are often mad at them. Parents left one to one with their children often unknowingly end up scolding them. Unconsciously we switch to reproaching our children. Unknowingly we compare them with others, "Why can't you do like your brother does?" These things remain most vivid in children's memory.

As we recite Family Pledge on Ahn Shi Il we repeat "Our family by centering on true love, by centering on true love." Our children hear this "by centering on true love" thousands of times, yet when they hear these words they probably think, "Well, I don't know about true love, but I got a true scolding many times, that's for sure." It may sound funny, but I'm telling you - it's very important that you find time to spend with your children one to one.

For example, in our family, every weekend we spend time with one of our children; we go together to McDonald's or to another restaurant to eat noodles. We take one child at a time and during the time spent together we focus on that child.

I don't mean that we focus on telling him, "Why can't you do well in school like your younger brother?" or "Why are you so weak at basketball" This time is for us to show him why his mom and dad are proud of him. We invest ourselves for this purpose.

Before going out with one of our kids we make a list. For example, we write down 3 points why we - as mom and dad - are proud of this child. There are many studies on this subject, but they all confirm one thing: most children when asked "Why are your parents proud of you?" do not know the answer, because their parents never told them.

In America there are many teenage gangs. One sociologist made a survey on gangs which showed that more than 90 percent of kids in those gangs have never heard words, "I love you" from their parents. We as parents may think, "Of course, I love you. You're my child. That's obvious."

But it's not obvious to them. Actually, kids doubt a great deal, "Do my mom and dad truly love me? As I said, children remember the most the time spent with their parents one to one. However in those times they hear rebukes, "Why can't you do it properly? What a nasty boy you are!" So they cannot but come to doubt, "Do my parents really love me?" So, if you have several children spend one weekend with the first child, next weekend with the second, third weekend with the third, and so forth. It's that simple.

Some of you may say, "I don't have time for that. I'm busy, my children are busy. I have many things to do in the church." However there are 168 hours in a week. So, if you take just one of these 168 hours every week and dedicate it to making your family a true family, I don't think it's such a big investment. You still have 167 hours left.

Actually, spending long hours with your children is not necessarily effective. Maybe some of you decide to spend a whole one day a week with your children, but in this case both you and your kids will probably go crazy.

If you spend with them a long time, it doesn't mean you spend it effectively. The time you spend with your children one to one may be short, but if you do well, if you really invest your love and have good memories in them, the effect may be even greater.

Look at our philosophy. Those who study our theology immediately understand that building true families is absolutely central to it. In the very beginning at the time of creation God wanted precisely this - a family, love in a family.

All main notions of our ideology - the four position foundation, the four great realms of heart, the three great kingships - are found in the family. So, you cannot even imagine how precious each child, every single member of your family is.

We have been practicing this type of training with our children for several years, so do you know what the results are? Do you know how they changed? Not the envy or competition between our children has virtually disappeared.

When it's turn of our elder son to spend time with us, the second one tells him, "Go with mommy and daddy," because he knows that next week will be his turn. There's no need to envy. Why is every single of our children so precious? It is because every one of them will multiply our descendants.

The purpose why you, Japanese brothers and sisters, are working so hard is for the sake of future generations. It's crucial that all our descendants do well and that this tradition is passed down to them properly. I have 5 kids now.

What happens if I express my love only to the last one? Maybe this last one will inherit the tradition of love, but if others remember only scolding they received during the time they spent one to one with us, that will become the tradition which we will unknowingly hand down to them. Let's say each of my 5 kids will also have 5 kids. That means that only 5 of my grandchildren will inherit the tradition of love, but other 20 will not.

Yesterday I heard a story from one family I was visiting. A daughter of that family went to study abroad. After a while she sent a letter to her father. And that's what she wrote in the letter, "Dad, I know that you hate guys with tattoos and earrings, but I'm dating such a person. Currently he's in prison because one time he tried to sell drugs and got caught. But when he's out we're going to get married.

And also, I've got pregnant by him. After marriage we're planning to move to China, so I probably won't see you anymore." then the father of the girl read the letter, he was dumbfounded. He almost fainted.

However in the very bottom of the letter he saw a small note which said, "Dad, actually everything I wrote above is not true. I made it up. But I do have a problem - I flunked the science exam." This girl wasn't good at science, and whenever she didn't do well with her tests in the past her father would always scold her, "I graduated from several prestigious universities, why can't you study well? Do you know how much money I spend on your education?" But after he read the letter and found out that she flunked the exam he shouted "Eog-mansei."

He was so happy simply because everything else she wrote to him about her tattooed boyfriend imprisoned for selling drugs, her pregnancy and leaving for China turned out to be not true. Then he said, "She flunked the exam, but that's okay."

When we live as a family with our spouse and children, we often fight over trifles. We fray each other's nerves; we rebuke each other for nothing. As we go on living like this our relationships with each other gradually weaken.

We often imagine Satan the way he's depicted in comics - tall muscular guy with red skin, wings and horns. But he doesn't look like that. Imagine if a 3 meter tall red-skinned guy were among you, finding him would be so easy. But he's not like this.

He appears in daily life, when blessed spouses quarrel with each other, hurt each other, and fight with each other with swords made of their words. In such times Satan stands right by their side, applauds them and says, "Encore! Encore!"

He likes watching such scenes more than watching Korean soap operas. He's dying to see what is going to happen in the next episode, next week. Actually, Satan comes to us in our ordinary daily life. He knows that blessed families are most precious to True Parents, that's why he attacks blessed families on purpose.

That's how he wants to destroy Cheon IL Guk.

If you are trying to just "find" time to spend with your children, you will never be able to find it. Don't "look" for time, "make" this time instead. If we do not invest time in our children and our blessed families, Satan will continuously attack us in this area, we will be gradually weakening in this field.

Our church may look great on the outside, but inside it should also be strong and healthy. Before this lecture we did an exercise to be able to resemble True Parents in heart, didn't we?

"I can never become a good dad. I can never find time to spend with my children. We can never become good husband and wife. It seems that we have to just live the way we do now. We must accept that our conjugal relations are dull." If you have such thoughts thousands and tens of thousands times, they will finally materialize. So whenever you hear such a broadcast, quickly switch to another channel.

Have you heard of Auschwitz? For those who don't know I'll briefly explain. Auschwitz was a name of a German concentration camp at the time of Hitler. Nazis imprisoned in this camp many people, primarily Jews, and did to them all sorts of crazy things - they did experiments on people, they shot them, killed them with poisonous gas.

There are some testimonies by the people who survived in this camp. According to these testimonies, there are two types of people. People of the first type died very quickly, but people of the second type could survive.

For example, people who died quickly were typically saying something like this, "Today's Thursday, but I'll be liberated on Sunday." They were desperately hoping to be liberated on Sunday, but the Sunday came and nothing happened. Then they started to think, "Probably I'll be released next Tuesday." And again they were wrapped up in anticipation, but nothing happened. Then, they thought, "Okay, it's going to happen next Thursday." But nothing happened. So these people were all the time going through ups and downs. Such people died very quickly.

But there were also those who survived. These people would say to themselves, "I don't know when I'm going to be liberated, so I'll look for something I can be grateful for today. I'll try to learn something today." They were thinking not about tomorrow or next Sunday or Thursday, they were thinking about "today."

If such a person saw beautiful sunrise through the hole in the fence, he'd be grateful thinking, "God still loves me." Such people looked at those who died and at those who survived and tried to learn, "Why did this person die? And why did that person survive? What kind of people die and what kind of people survive?" We often think that people succeed or fail because of their environment, however all prisoners in Auschwitz were in same conditions. They lived same life in the same environment.

People who survived were not better looking. They were not coming from better families. They had not received better education or had better jobs than others. So what was their difference from others? It was their mindset.

Living together with our spouse and children we may think, "Probably from Sunday my children will listen to me." But Sunday comes and nothing happens. Then we think, "Well, then maybe from Tuesday my children will start to understand me." But on Tuesday nothing happens either. "Well, then it's going to happen on Thursday," we think. So, our anticipation and energy is focused on that one day, but we are unable to appreciate our children, our wife or husband, our mother or father today.

I heard one interesting story. Once there was a heavy rain, so that the whole area was flooded and the water kept rising. To escape from the flood one old man went up to the roof of his house where he kept praying to God for salvation. At that time the firefighters' car was passing by. Firefighters shouted to the man, "Hey, quickly get in the car."

The man answered, "No. God will save me" and continued to pray, "Please send the archangel Gabriel to save me." Meanwhile the water kept rising. At that time 2 men in the boat were rowing by. They yelled to him, "Hey, man, quickly get on the boat." But he told them, "Leave me alone. God will save me." And the water kept coming. It already reached his feet when a helicopter came. People in the helicopter suspended a rope and shouted to the man, "Quickly get in."

But the man shouted back, "No, I won't. God will save me." The water kept rising, and the man finally drowned. He went to Heaven, stood in front of God and asked him, "God! Why didn't you save me? Why didn't you send the archangel Gabriel to me?" to which God answered, "You, blockhead! Didn't I send you a fire engine, a boat and a helicopter?"

Sometimes we expect that God solves our problems in this way. We think, "The archangel Gabriel will come and save me." We think that the sky will suddenly be cleared of clouds, the light will come shining upon us and we'll hear sounds of heavenly music. But things don't always happen the way we expect. We think, "I wish God resolved this problem in this way," but He actually does it in a different way.

Children give us many problems, for example, suddenly your kid may tell you he wants to learn to play basketball. You may think that this brings you complications, but who knows may be this desire to play basketball is that very "helicopter" that will change the life of your child.

We never know in what method God wants to help us. We think, "If God helps me this way, I am saved." But if we are stuck to this idea we may not notice fire engine, boat and helicopter passing by.

Actually firefighters in the car, two men in the boat, and the person who threw the rope from the helicopter were angels. They all could have saved the man, but he missed those opportunities because they were not something he was expecting. Thus, the most important thing is to always keep our mind open.

You never know for sure how God is going to help your family, how He is going to help in your relationships with your children or spouse.

However, as I look at God and True Parents, they always have a plan. When we doubt ourselves saying, "I cannot do it. I can never become a true parent. I can never improve relationship with my wife etc." these are not words of God and True Parents. These are our words.

Father said, "Before aspiring to dominate the universe, gain dominion over yourself first." If we all the time express our concerns with our children, "Oh, I worry that he will take a bad road. I'm afraid he's going to start drinking. Maybe he will do something wrong," if this kind of program is broadcast all the time in our mind, it influences our children.

The children would say, "If my parents doubt me anyway, I might just do all these bad things." That's possible. Especially, if we have a child that really brings us troubles and breaks our heart, whenever we have this kind of "radio program" in our mind, we should switch the channel quickly. We should say o ourselves, "No, I love this child. He or she has such and such good points."

God has a certain plan. We may have circumstances when we feel almost like enemies to our family members, but you never know, maybe God is letting you go through this to train you to love them again, to forgive them and be forgiven by them.

Look at this closely. People who survived in Auschwitz entrusted the issue of their liberation to God, but they didn't simply remain idle every day. They focused every single day on what they could learn, or what they could be grateful for on that particular day.

They entrusted to God other problems, like "When I get out of this prison?" They didn't just wait for Him to deliver them; they tried to discover something good in every day. We should train ourselves to do the same thing, "Today I can love my child a little more. Today I can discover some more good points about my wife."

Life is a very fragile thing. One day it may suddenly end. I realized this when my elder brother passed away. Life is fragile. So, when you have a chance to be with your beloved children, husband or wife, your parents, please do tell them that you love and appreciate them. When someone dies people bring bouquets of flowers to the funeral. But please give flowers to your loved ones, while they're still alive. Our family members are that important.

In the beginning of this session we did an exercise to develop the same kind of heart True Father had when he was in Hungnam prison, in most difficult circumstances. You received a lot of intellectual knowledge: about 4 types of parents, about organizing "children days" for each of your children and so forth.

But there is still one type of training that we didn't do. What is it? As you know from the Principle our heart is connected to the 3 faculties of our mind which are emotions, intellect and will. Now we will do an exercise related to the world of emotions.

Please, all rise. Form pairs, if you are with your spouse form a pair with him or her. Or if you children are with you, you can also form a pair with your son or daughter. If you formed a pair with someone who is not your relative imagine that he is your father or grandfather or if it's a lady, imagine that she's your mother or grandmother.

If you formed pair with your husband or wife, then let it be so, you are spouses. We will study the way True Parents hugged each other at their wedding ceremony. There is certain method of hugging. First, we bow to each other. Please bow to each other.

Second step -- embrace each other with your eyes. No, couples, I said "with your eyes." If a man standing in front of you is not your relative, think that he is your father. Next, embrace your partner's palms with your palms like this.

Then finally hug each other, but don't just "hug" by slanting towards each other and patting each other on the back with your palms. Make a real deep hug. Keep hugging and close your eyes. If you're hugging your father, say, "Father, thank you." If you're hugging your wife say, "Darling, thank you."

Think about it, when was the last time you hugged your father. When was the last time you hugged your wife and thanked her? So, hug them now and say "thank you" into their ears three times. Now, husbands and wives, tell each other, "I love you." Then embrace each other with your eyes once again and embrace your partner's palms with your palms. And finally bow to each other. Thank you very much.

Now, some of you were hugging for 2-3 minutes some strange man or woman whom you don't even know. Then how much easier it is for you to go home and embrace your beloved wife or husband. So, while you still have a chance to live with your husband, wife or children please do tell them that you love them, hug them, look straight into their eyes - do this kind of training.

We also do this training with our children every day. You may think this is a trifling thing, but if you don't make time for this on purpose, you won't have time even to look into your children's eyes. Your children doubt that you love them, so tell them that you do, that you appreciate them.

When I just got married I never held my wife by hand, because I was training in martial arts and I was full of a "man's pride." But after my elder brother, Young-Jin Hyung, passed away I realized that all I had was this "man's pride" and I didn't resemble my parents at all.

Now I hold my wife's hand even in front of all brothers and sisters. Look at True Parents' picture -- they are always holding each other's hands. But when Father holds Mother's hand, he doesn't do it in a simple manner. He has his secret method of holding hands. After Young-Jin Hyung passed away I started to learn about Parents not only through Father's words, but also by observing them in daily life.

Especially our church pastors and members should be united with their spouses, so make sure that you show to the world all the time how united your couples are. You should do it with confidence. You don't need this "man's pride." Father doesn't show this "pride."

Next time, when you have a chance, look at how Father holds Mother's hand. He keeps caressing Mother's hand like this. Father keeps telling Mother, "Mom, thank you. I appreciate you. I love you. Everything will be alright." Even when he doesn't say this by words, he expresses it otherwise. Husbands and wives should do this kind of training every day.

If you don't tell your children that you love them, someone else will. People from gangs, from yakuza may tell your children nice words in order to use them. They may say to your kid, "We like you. We love you. Now go and kill that guy."

If you don't tell your wife that you love her, some strange man may do it instead of you. If you, wives, don't tell your husbands that you love them, some other women may do it. That's going to be a problem. So, please, let us practice these things in our families.

What time did you finish your exercises yesterday? At 12 o'clock. What time will you finish today? At 12 o'clock. Our training today lasts only until 12 o'clock. But you should continue practicing tomorrow.

True love has 3 qualities: it's altruistic; it gives happiness to others; and it's eternal. You might have expressed love to your wife or child today, but this love is supposed to be eternal, so keep practicing it tomorrow.

You did some exercises today, but when you go home practice again. And the effect of that practice will last until 12 o'clock. So tomorrow you have to practice again. Remember today's practice is over by 12 o'clock.

Let me ask you one more question. When True Father shouts Eog-mansei, does he do it alone or with True Mother? (They do it together.) Then, when he does it, does he hold Mother's hand or not? (Father holds Mother's hand.)

Then why do our pastors do it alone? Since we are supposed to resemble True Parents, we should be united with our spouse even when we shout Mansei. Aren't we their representatives?

12. Know the spirit world to go the path of faith (Sun Myung Moon and Hyung Jin Moon - January 17, 2007)

Sun Myung Moon and Hyung Jin Moon
January 17, 2007
Hoon Dok Hae
Cheon Jeong Gung Museum
Translation by Kunduk Koh of unofficial notes taken by the Unification Church History Compilation Committee

Sun Myung Moon, Hak Ja Han, and Hyung Jin Moon April 26, 2011

The following is a summary of what Father Moon said that day:

If you don't know the reality of the spirit world, you cannot go on the path of faith that can support your life.

I have completed the Peace Messages and thus believe that my mission has ended. I have my own path to go. You who have inherited from me have your own responsibility to fulfill. Times have changed. People do not know that the times have changed. Is there anyone who perceives continuously the coming of each new day? You don't know that the times can change in an instant even within providence, vast as it is. You need to have the wisdom to infer from your environment to make a decision. It is impossible with just the knowledge you have. The emergence of this booklet is a tremendous event. There is nothing more to add or deduct from this. You cannot leave behind an imperfect history as you go in the presence of the heavenly parent.

Geomundo will become a holy ground where everybody will visit. We must build a palace of the southern nation in Geomundo.

It sounds like a dream but it is not. You must know all the Peace Messages. You have to study it. I am an expert in the Word and thus extracted these words. You should understand how valuable these words are as you read each page. I have already read this thousands of times. Every day you should open the book and have some relation to the contents of the book.

By practicing and carrying out restoration through indemnity on my behalf you erase peoples' faults. Billions of people in the spirit world know who I am. That is why they listen to my words and send their reports (to the earth). There are many people who speak ill of me in this world but there are even more who sing praise of me in the spirit world. A wave moves from where there is a lot of water to where there is little. In a similar fashion the world will be purified within that current.

During my lifetime you must complete your job in this world in which you live in.

I can give guidance to any field in the spirit world. The people living on the earth can give orders to the people in the spirit world and to their ancestors, and have them go on errands. This is only possible within the Unification Church. That is why the Unification Church has come this far despite the persecutions from the world. Yet we still have a long way to go.

(At 6:40 AM, Father asks Hyung-jin nim to sing and give a brief testimony of the deepest moment in his life.)

Hyung-jin nim's testimony

Seven years ago, my closest brother ascended to the spirit world. Before Young-jin hyung ascensions, I just had liked to have fun and was an immature kid who fooled around and caused trouble. Young-jin hyung on the other hand was a model son. He was the best in carrying out anything Father told him to do. Everybody called Young-jin young, 'the saint.'

In my high school years I fell in love with martial arts. When Young-jin hyung entered Columbia University, I was studying Spanish in Uruguay. At that time, Father suddenly asked me if I wanted to get married. I told him yes and was blessed after graduating from high school.

I went to a college in Connecticut which belonged to a Catholic Society of Jesus. After a year studying there my son was born and I took a year of absence from my studies. I spent that time traveling with Young-jin hyung. He gave me a lot of guidance and passed on to me his method of study. Thanks to him, my grades improved and I was able to enter Harvard University.

Before Young-jin hyung's ascension I didn't know what I had to do. I was just thinking of maybe studying sociology or management. Yet, after his ascension, I began to struggle deeply about life. I became interested in religion and began to study it. That was when I began to enter into a deep relationship with Father where I could have sincere conversations with him. Before that, True Parents were always busy for restoring the world. As a result, I had little time with my parents and had complained about this.

I one time, it was difficult to just go to church. At that time Young-jin hyung told me, 'It's much quicker to change yourself than to wish for others to change.' At that time I didn't understand what he was talking about but now I think I understand it more that I did then.

In the Cheon Il Guk citizen's workshop I talk about how there are Unificationists and divisionists within the Unification Church. By divisionists I mean those who create walls around themselves and blame others. I too was such a person.

There is a profound truth in the Principle. We are all individual embodiments of truth and connected beings. If we forget that we cannot call ourselves a true Unificationist. A connected being means that we are connected to other individual embodiments of truth. If you persecute others you are persecuting yourself.

Young-jin hyung ascended to the spirit world sometime at the end of October in 1999. After that I began studying at Boston. During that time, Young-jin hyung's spirit often came to see me. I was lying down after studying one day when Young-jin hyung appeared sitting by my head. He was holding my hand. It felt so real! My hand is a little long and slender like a woman's. Young-jin hyung's hand is a little thick. He was grasping my hand and I could feel the thickness of his fingers. He said to me 'I will always be with you. Don't worry.'

I was able to go to the best school and live in a safe and wealthy town in New York thanks to my parents, and not by any virtue on my part. I was loved greatly by our members because I was a child in the True Family. But I did not know how to be grateful. Yet, after Young-jin hyung's ascension I began to think about may things. I thought about what a valuable life would be like, how I should attend Parents.

Young-jin hyung was a true filial son. From a young age, he was always at the top when he took the Divine Principle examinations. He guided me and my younger siblings and the second generation members. He held workshops every week for the second generation members, many of whom were deeply moved by Young-jin hyung. Rather than wishing to be understood, Young-jin hyung understood the second generation members. He would hold discussions with them and helped them if they had any problems. Young-jin hyung was successful even at school. He had excellent grades and was very athletic. Yet he was humble.

My life changed after Young-jin hyung began to visit me in spirit. Once when we were walking to the apartment I was living in at Harvard University, I wondered whether he was really with me. So I told him, 'If you are really with me and if you hear what I am saying, turn off the street lights.' Then during the next 2-3 minutes as I was walking to my apartment, the streetlights began to go out one by one. From then I knew that Young-jin hyung was with me.

On the weekends I had to use the highway to commute between Boston and New York where my family was. Each time I felt that Young-jin hyung was sitting at my side. When I was driving once I fell asleep and could have ended up in an accident by driving to the side of the road. At that very moment though the street lights went off. Young-jin hyung flashed in my mind and I returned to me senses. As I drove 3-4 hours from East Garden to Boston I felt his presence by my side and talked with him along the way. From then I felt that I had to abandon worldly thoughts and live differently.

Before Young-jin hyung's ascension I loved fashion. I enjoyed going about in expensive clothes and felt good when people told me I looked like a model. But after Young-jin hyung's ascension I discarded such things. From then I began to make many promises with Young-jin hyung. I shaved my head. Once you are bald, people stare at you. It is not easy to go around places like that. In other words you have to always be looking at yourself. I shaved off my hair and wore a Taoist robe that look like hanbok to school. My brothers and I, like our Father, are popular among women. The women around me used to be interested in me but after shaving my hair and going about in a robe, they began to lose interest, making it much easier for me.

Once I thought about burning off a finger so that I would never forget Young-jin hyung for the rest of my life. I was going to do that in resolution to do together with Young-jin hyung what he was now unable to do. I was going to burn off my finger but my wife stopped me. In the end I did not burn it off but I will always remember my brother wherever I go and even after I become 40, 50 or 60.

I am working hard now so that when I look back later on in my life I can confidently ask myself whether I did what Young-jin hyung wanted and kept my promise to him.

The scholars and students at Harvard University actually hate our church very much. Yet, I continued to talk with them. I became close to the teachers. I talked with the other students and religious people and explained to them about Father. After completing my master's degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Theology, I was asked to pray and talk about my experience at the graduation ceremony. For the prayer, I read one of Father's prayers. After the prayer I talked about Young-jin hyung and about Father.

Father always talks extensively before you. So most of you know Father as someone who talks very much. But being with him up close, I found that Father does not speak at all. He spends most of the day in silence and listens to others speak.

I too have only seen Father giving speeches or instructions and thought it was difficult to have a conversation with him. Yet, after I begun studying religion and spending time with him, I discovered that he was different from what I had thought of him before. I talked with him for 2-3 hours and he listened attentively to what I said.

Spending time with him I was able to see how Father lived and conducted himself. Father would share everything each moment, each day with God. When he brushes his teeth, or when he dresses himself, or even when he goes to the restroom to relieve himself he would be with God. 'Ideal world' is what comes to my mind when I see Father in this way. Father's life has always been one in which he lived with God.

Even though True Parents were not able to be with us their children because of their busy schedule they would call us and send letters to each and every one of us. They personally wrote each letter. I am also a father of five but it is not easy writing letters to each of my children. Yet, True Parents wrote such letters to all thirteen children. They were doing this when we were not. I realized what a parent was through my parents' lifestyle.

One linguist scholar said that 10% of our communications are conveyed through words while the other 90% are conveyed through unspoken words. Discussions we have in words amount to only 10%; the rest, 90% is conveyed through our actions.

We should resemble True Parents. We should emulate their actions in forging a relationship with God and in liberating God.

What Father says may only be 10%. I discovered during my time with Father that he teaches us not only through his words but through his life.

Once when I was having lunch with True Parents, Father suddenly displayed an act of love by caressing Mother's leg. That scene was so full of love that I laughed in joy. I believe that this was not just a passing moment but was a profound moment of education.

We must be able to express love to our wives whom we may live together for decades in such freedom, unity, peace and happiness that Father had shown. At that time I realized that was a very important way of cultivating one's love. I believe that was a profound expression and act of the principles true love.

Ordinary couples do not often express their love for each other in the presence of their children. But I believe Father does in order to educate us. There are many teachings that Father gives to us without expressing it in words. I think the leaders who attend Father in person would know about this.

I could receive many spiritual teachings from Father just by being next to him as he fished. From morning to night, when he is awake and even when he is asleep, Father leads an ideal lifestyle in communication with God. I did not know how priceless it was to be together with True Parents.

After Young-jin hyung's ascension, I came to realize how precious life is. I came to appreciate how precious the members next to me were. When I think about Young-jin hyung who no longer breathes, who no longer walks, I am grateful to be able to breathe and walk. I am grateful to be alive.

People promise that they will be grateful once they obtain happiness but this is 180 degrees wrong. People think that they would be happy once they have a nice car, some money and position but that is actually not the case. It is 180 degrees off the mark. If you are grateful first, then you can be happy.

Before coming to Hoon Dok Hae, Father quietly meditates and prays for about ten minutes. It is a very deep moment. It is the most profound moment with Father. The ten minutes he meditates before coming to Hoon Dok Hae is the most profound and precious moment.

At that time, I do not want to hear praise from Father. I am but grateful just to be with him at that time. I learn many things.

A couple of days ago I went to Paju. I visited the wonjeons of Dae-mo nim, Heung-jin nim and Shin-gil and also went to Young-jin hyung's wonjeon. When I went to his wonjeon I couldn't stop crying. There I told Young-jin hyung what I was going to do in 2007. I thanked him and told him that I knew he was safe with Heung-jin hyung.

Climbing up the stairs I thought again about what I was doing now, what kind of life I would live, and what kind of life I was leading before True Parents, Heaven and all our members. The mysterious thing is how we come to know the value of life in the wake of the death of a person that was closest to you. After Young-jin hyung's ascension I came to think about the value of life.

Father talks about how he may go anytime. I plead to him not to say such things. I ask him why he says that and to not say such things. To be here together with True Parents is truly a tremendous blessing that is beyond words. We must really show True Parents when they are here with us how wonderful we are as their children regardless of whether we are Cain or Abel.

There will only be one set of True Parents no matter how many thousands of years go by. We are all their children. There is only one king of peace in God's eyes. Even though we may see blessed second, third, fifth, a hundredth generation members, True Parents will always be at the center. We must emulate their words, action and lifestyle. You must remember the value of True Parents being here (on the earth.)

Members worldwide must realize how precious it is to have True Parents here (on the earth.) I believe our world will become a good world.

My dear brothers and sisters! Please shower your love on Father and Mother. You have followed this path your entire life together with True Parents. Love from their children is important but your love also has a significant impact on True Parents. Your love fills True Parents up with vitality elements. Do not concern yourselves with the children (True Children) as we are still young. Please love True Parents the most. 

11. Training In Life An Interview with Julian Gray (January 2007)

Hyung Jin Moon
January 2007

Julian Gray: Hyung-Jin Nim, how did you come to begin these seminars?

Hyung Jin Nim: Initially I was not intending to stay in Korea. My plan was to go back to Harvard to register in the Ph.D. program.

Whatever religion you are studying at Harvard, whatever tradition, it receives a strong critical analysis. It is a liberal atmosphere. They are always attacking religions that hold conservative values. I did not find it so enriching in that respect. I talked with Father. He was very empathetic. It is not as though I am going to be an academic, teaching at Harvard for the rest of my life! I want to be closer to the members. I want to not just deal with books; I see myself as an Unificationist practitioner -- Unificationism not as something to know, but as something to live.

You cannot just know something and that's the end of it. We have to change society; we have to help the diseased and the poor. We are very practical in terms of our theology. We have tried to be engaged socially. We have done big activities, but how focused are we on the central tasks we have to fulfill within the movement -- creating strong and true blessed families, examples to the world?

We have to substantiate the four great realms of heart and three kingships, creating the four-position foundation on the individual and family levels... the three blessings. How are we supposed to start?

My older brother [Young-jin nimj emphasized method. I felt we have to provide our members with more than the big goals; a great mission statement contains both the goals and the means to achieve them.

How do we help people substantiate their ideals in a very real way? With children, life is very real; it is not ethereal. It is also not always some kind of mystical experience. It's visceral, very emotional, psychologically challenging, physically challenging, spiritually challenging.

How do we begin to acknowledge that these are the levels we have to start addressing, and where we have to begin succeeding in a practical way?

JG: Father has done so much, but we have a lot to implement personally.

If you study religion, Father is the most successful religious leader that we have seen in the last two hundred years, in all of religious history, even. He's impacted millions of people around the world. We've become so mainstream in his lifetime.

I give the example of Mormonism; their founder was imprisoned and killed. Father and our movement have done it together. We have accomplished a tremendous amount. The question is how to go forward. A religion has to be concerned not only about recruiting people; it has to consider retaining them as well.

We need to be able to become more consistent with our words while developing the skills to start viewing whether our actions are consistent or not. That's why I emphasize practice.

When we practice, we can learn a lot. Those thirty minutes of meditation are totally packed with experience. They are packed with emotion, with sights, thoughts, feelings -- all sorts of things. In that very short time, we can see a lot about ourselves.

We talk about the "I" that I think I am and the "I" that I really am. Why that is important is that our spouse has to live with who we really are, our children have to deal with who we really are!

My main impetus for starting these workshops was to see how we could begin to train our mind and body. At UTS, that is what we primarily focused on. At that time, we did not get so much into the spouse or family side, at least not in depth. It was a good chance to exercise the will aspect of our being...

We have always trained our intellectual side, our emotional side. That can be a great tool to create peace in the home. 1 am very interested in realization; in how we can utilize mind-body practice to help us become better husbands and better daddies, better brothers, etc.

That connection is crucial. Even in my own life, although I exercise mind-body practices, I also have a family, which is so intimately connected. If I don't have the ability to review myself in a systematic fashion and to purge myself of intrusions or anger (when I am angry at the kids, or whatever), I often fail.

As you experienced, the meditation time is a very chaotic period -- very similar to our lives -- because in that thirty minutes, so many things are thrown at us and we have to learn how to deal with them in a manner that is not going to stress us out or tire us out.

We learn how to take the subject role, but also how to become a better object, so that we can become more grateful for the smaller things that God has given us. That skill is also important in our families because when the husband is trying (although it may seem like a small thing) it requires so much effort on his part.

If the wife can catch that and say thank you, the husband feels acknowledged. You know, (laughing) maybe it infuriates her when he moves the toothpaste from here and puts it there -- but this day he didn't do that, and it took a lot of effort. When we start sensing when people are trying and appreciate their efforts, we can start acknowledging the fact that we are all trying.

We usually just think, "Well, I'm trying." but when you look around and you watch your children, they are tying! We want to develop those skills, become better objects to God, and to find those great gifts -- at the same time learning how to keep the subject role when we are being intruded upon by fallen nature, secular values or temptations. To be strong in mind and body-- that's really what I feel is the center of it. Because as Father says, if that's not happening, you're not going to heaven (laughs).

That's why we have to address it as a movement; we have to start practicing. Let's begin a systematic approach that is consistent with our teaching. There are so many gems -- what I am trying to tell people is that the Principle has so many systems, that whole mind-body dialectic -- that's a system.

But how do you use it? That's the problem! Again, the system we talked about in the seminar; the five levels of sharing love with one's spouse, the sharing that has to be on all levels of the human being... That's a system within the Principle. But how do you use it in your marriage life?

Once we see that the Principle is systematic, we can start using those tools as Unificationists; we can start actualizing the teachings. I hope that was being communicated. I feel that is wonderful, because it brings life to the theory.

It is not as if we are just wishing one day to be in that ideal world. No, we can use these systems; we can start building it now. That's what I find exciting; that's why I wanted to do the workshops.

JG: What plans do you have for the workshops in the future?

What I really want to do is start investing my energy in working on the manuals and then hopefully develop it so it can be very accessible to people. To make accessible the wisdom of the Principle to people regardless of religion, race or nation -- that's essentially what we are supposed to be doing. For me it's a question of how are we going to help improve people's lives.

I had the experience of visiting the home of my son's friend. I met his parents. They are not members, but they know who I am. They asked me, "What do you believe?" Of course, when asked that question, we are itching to say something about the messiah -- Rev. Moon is the Messiah! But I just said, "What my father teaches is that we have to create peace between mind and body. We participate in a marriage blessing sacrament. We see marriage as a holy institution where true peace can be realized. He teaches us to create what we call true families, that is, to have healthy strong families that contribute to our world."

When you think about our theology in terms of what we must actually do, it is those things. When I told them that, they said, "Oh, that's great!" They were interested too. They are interested in those aspects as well. What I found is that it doesn't matter whether they have been in the movement a long time, or don't even know the movement; they want to have better control over their mind-body relationship; they want to learn how to create stronger marriages, and they also want to have better relationships with their children.

These wants, these desires are because each of the dimensions -- emotion intellect and will -- is searching. The emotional realm is searching for the reciprocation of beauty; the intellectual side is searching for the reciprocation of truth; and the will is searching for the reciprocation of goodness. We start understanding and utilizing our entire being, we can start making our life more beautiful, more true, more good.

I think that is quite basic for all people. It's a practical way for people to start approaching their families, their relationships and themselves in a different way. I think it can be beneficial for people that are not necessarily Unificationists, because in the end we are supposed to he helping the whole world.

I hope that the program can develop over time, which is why we ask members to offer their thoughts on it. We really want to build this together.

For example, Stephen Covey took the real principles of Mormonism and applied them in a manner that is accessible. We should have been doing that, in terms of leadership, family... whatever. And I believe we can.

When we look from a systematic perspective at the many systems that are there, they are very useful. They have been there, but we just haven't known how to use them. How do we bring them to life and start applying them in a way that is creating more beauty, truth and goodness? If we can do that, it will be wonderful -- not just for our members but for the rest of the world.

So I am hoping that we can develop this in a way that can be more accessible for people and that can help them succeed in all the dimensions of being happy, being well, being healthy.

We've held workshops and now hope to do retreats. The retreats will focus much more on practice. We will practice, but we will also learn such things as a very simple Korean ceremony for sharing tea, which uses a very principled system.

There is a father, a mother and children in the tea set. We can practice that, learn how to share tea and give something healthful to each other, enjoy that gift from nature and learn how to give each other foot massages, for example. I learned this from my wife. Whenever one of my kids feels emotionally needy, she gives them a foot massage, at night. They feel so adored!

That's skin-ship, the sense of touch that we need as human beings in interacting with each other. Especially within our families, we need to hold each other, embrace, massage each other's feet. Even a father can come down and massage his child's feet.

So I want to develop a system where we can actually practice these things together and have fun together! This is the age of release and liberation, when we can start rejoicing, and start bringing each other health and happiness. We can start practicing, in order to become stronger in all the aspect.

I hope what I am trying to do is helpful. My point is that we have a lot more than we think we have. If we look closely; we can make an impact in the world and be helping people. From the resources of our Principle, we are retrieving these systems that are helpful.

JG: This work will help the future of the movement.

I hope so. I mean I can't promise anything. Only God knows...

JG: Everyone will want to help you...

I always try to tell people, "Don't try to do everything at once; it's too much." We end up giving up because it's too much to do. Try to lake one small step. Do small things. Small things are what build strong relationships, not big things. I think people forget that.

With Father, we do not see every single day of sincerity and devotion that he must invest in, every single moment and hour. We just see the big announcements, but there is so much preparation for that. In fact, that is only one aspect of the entire effort. I really want to acknowledge that. When you look at a man like Father, he's great not because he is doing great things. He is doing many; many small salvific actions that in the end are saving all of us.

As his child, when I interact with him, it's the small things that save me. Here is one example: Usually when we are talking to someone and we talk at the same time, both people stop to let the other one talk. We think of Father as a very dominant speaker -- he speaks a lot, educating his kids, talking all day to them (laughs) -- but this is totally not the case!

When we both try to say something at the same time, he stops, and I am waiting for him to say something, but he lets me speak. That's a different side, you see! It is those small acts of trust -- empathy and listening -- that make me so grateful in our relationship. I cannot do that! I've reflected, and I realize I am not even doing that with my kids.

I'm learning from this. I feel that strong families are built on many small investments. That's where strong families are built; that's where powerful marriages are built and that's where the mind and body unity is built. That is hard to invade. It is built by many small investments, effort and training.

Father is such a humble person. As his child, speaking with him, it is amazing how much he just listens. That has really been the most enriching part of my relationship with Father -- to understand the value of the ability to listen.

This has greatly benefited my own family, my own life, my relationship with my wife and children, and so forth. Just the ability to say yes, as a father, I can stop, catch myself and listen to what my kids are saving. We don't do that usually, because we are dominating the conversation -- we're the Dad! But that's not what I experienced with Father, and I found that so illuminating.

1 wanted to share those aspects of Father's life. In the end, it is not only the words that he speaks, it's his life that is exemplary. We also want to see the other aspects that are even beyond words -- how he lives and practices.

JG: You remind me of Father when he was in his student days. We can catch a glimpse of Father's youth though you...

(Laughing) I am a germ compared to Father! I definitely cannot claim to be anywhere near him. I see him as a real example of living the Principle.

Recently I was present when Father suddenly started tickling Mother's foot. They were just playing around, like two innocent children. I am waiting to see if when I am eighty-seven and all wrinkled, I can still be that free, harmonious and unified. We talk about that in the fourth pledge -- freedom, harmony; unification and happiness!

I found that to be a tremendous teaching because it is not the cerebral Principle, it is the living Principle. I love watching Father and Mother, observing what they do. When I talked about this experience in front of Father, he was overjoyed. As academics, we can sometimes get into our cerebral prowess and lose that freedom to just act with heart, emotion, and will and move freely. We may be stunted by our rationality.

Linguists say that ten percent of communication is verbal, and that 90 percent is non-verbal. If we are only learning through Father's words we are only learning ten percent of what he communicates -- with his family, in his true marriage to Mother, and we are only learning ten percent of how he communicates with God.

We've got to start looking and seeing the other ninety percent. I feel that these teachings, in conjunction with the verbal teachings, will create a much more holistic understanding of how we can become true patents.

10. Explanation Explanation of Cheon Il Guk Holy Wine, Cheon Jeong Palace Holy Candle, Holy Match, Cheon Jeong Palace Holy Salt Holy and Holy Water (June 2006 pdf)

Explanation of Cheon Il Guk Holy Wine, Cheon Jeong Palace Holy Candle,

Holy Match, Cheon Jeong Palace Holy Salt and Holy Water

Hyung Jin Moon

June 2006

I. Providential background of inheritance of ‘holy items’

On June 13, 2006, the ceremony for Coronation of the King of Peace in Heaven and on

Earth was held after the Entrance Ceremony of the Cheon Jeong Peace Palace. During the

ceremony, the royal seal and golden scepter symbolizing the King of Peace were dedicated

to the True Parents by Hyung-jin nim and Chairman Kwak.

This was followed by hoisting of the Cheon Il Guk flag and singing of the Cheon Il Guk

anthem “Blessing of Glory.” Then True Father declared the establishment of Cheon Il Guk,

and True Parents bestowed the Cheon Il Guk Scripture that contains words of truth and

Holy Items consisting of Cheon Il Guk holy wine, Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle and

Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt representing the tradition of Cheon Il Guk on each of the

representatives of 10 continents.

As the result of this, it was decided that holy wine, holy candles and holy salt that had been

used were to be returned to the church for disposal. Subsequently, the holy items have been

bequeathed to each blessed family through the “initiation ceremony of holy items” presided

by the minister in each country.

II. Cheon Il Guk holy wine

1. Preparation

(1) Instruments: Those that do not rust and can be used for long time should be

prepared. (E.g., stainless-steel products); these instruments should be kept for

exclusive use to multiply the holy wine.

1) a) pan, b) measuring cup, c) sponge, d) towel, e) container to put holy

wine (hermetically sealed bottle), f) vinyl sheet, g) apron, etc.

2) When the pan is used for the first time, it should be sterilized in boiled

water in advance.

3) The pan and other instruments should be washed and wiped thoroughly

to eliminate water droplet

(2) Prepare wine necessary to multiply the holy wine

1) 3 kinds of wine should be used.

2) Red wine should be mainly used. Brand does not matter.

2. Method of multiplying the Cheon Il Guk holy wine

1) Sanctify the instruments to be used and the new wine procured to

multiply the holy wine with the newly bequeathed Cheon Il Guk holy salt.

2) Prepare the Cheon Il Guk holy wine newly bequeathed as the seed.

3) Offer a prayer to turn the new wine into the Cheon Il Guk holy wine.

 The newly bequeathed Cheon Il Guk holy wine has been

created as the fruits of the True Parents’ sacrifices and toils

on the victorious foundation of the Entrance Ceremony of

the Cheon Jeong Peace Palace and Coronation of the King of

Peace in Heaven and on Earth held on June 13, 2006.

 Turn this wine into the Cheon Il Guk holy wine so that by

drinking it the original sin gets removed.

 So that those who drink it get separated from Satan,

transferred from linage of Satan to lineage of God, and fulfill

God’s Will.

 So that they inherit True Parents’ heart, love and lineage. and

establish lineal relationship with True Parents.

 Through the blessed families drinking this Cheon Il Guk

holy wine, the new era of governance by heavenly law of

Cheon Il Guk and the new providence can start where God

and True Parents have direct dominion.

Prayer should be offered containing the above contents, and

should be concluded with the following phrase:

“I pray that this wine is changed into the Cheon Il Guk wine.

This I report in the names of the True Parents of Heaven and

Earth, True Children’s families and the owner of Cheon Il

Guk “----“”

4) Put the Cheon Il Guk holy wine newly bequeathed as the seed in the

prepared container, and pour the new wine into it. (It is also all right to

pour the new wine first and then add the Cheon Il Guk holy wine as the

seed.)

The mixing ratio is 4 parts of the Cheon Il Guk holy wine as

the seed : 6 parts of new wine, and this ratio will determine the

amount one can multiply each time.

In case a large amount of the holy wine is necessary, the process

should be repeated to increase the amount of the Cheon Il Guk

holy wine as the seed to which the new wine is added.

When the process is repeated, the prayer can be offered only once

at the beginning instead of praying each time.

5) Offer a prayer of gratitude for being able to create the Cheon Il Guk

holy wine.

6) After the ceremony is completed, the Cheon Il Guk holy wine should

be preserved as the seed so that the holy wine can be multiplied in the

future.

Those who can multiply the seed Cheon Il Guk holy wine are the

ministers who have authority for prayer.

III. Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle

1. On inheritance of the Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle

(1) The minister should sanctify the prepared candles with the newly bequeathed

Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt in advance and give one of those candles to each

one of families attending the ceremony. Each person should receive the candle

with both hands.

(2) The minister light the Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle as the seed kept in the

church with the holy match newly bequeathed as the seed. Each member

should bring his own candle in contact with the flame of the seed Cheon Jeong

Palace holy candle and light it.

(3) While the candle is burning, the minister should offer a prayer as follows:

“I pray that the authority and significance of the Cheon Jeong Palace

holy candle first created by the True Parents of Heaven and Earth are

granted to these candles about to be multiplied through this seed Cheon

Jeong Palace holy candle. This I report in the names of the True Parents

of Heaven and Earth, True Children’s families and the owner of Cheon Il

Guk ‘----‘.”

2. On the Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle bequeathed to the family

(1) Three-day ceremony

The ceremony should be conducted in the room where the seed Cheon Jeong

Palace holy candle bequeathed to the family is lighted.

(2) Family alter

The Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle bequeathed to the family as the seed

should be placed on the family alter normally, and lighted when Hoon Dok

Hae or prayer meeting is conducted.

(3) Birth candle

1) Prepare a new candle to be used for the birth in advance, and sanctify it

with the newly bequeathed Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt.

2) Light the Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle bequeathed by the district

(church) as the seed and light the new candle with the seed candle.

3) While the candle is burning, pray as follows:

“I pray that this new candle is turned into the seed birth candle. This

I report in the names of the True Parents of Heaven and Earth, True

Children’s families and the owner of Cheon Il Guk ‘----‘.”

4) As the result, this new candle is turned into the seed birth candle to be

used in the family.

5) Form the four-position foundation by placing the seed birth candle and

three new candles, and repeat the multiplication process twice, creating 7

birth candles in total. Use them at the time of birth of a child. Or, you may

place the seed birth candle in the center of the branched candle stand or in

the central one among the 7 candle stands, and place the new candles in

other branches or candle stands. Use the seed candle to light other candles,

multiplying the birth stands.

6) Use the seven candles multiplied as described above only for the first

child. For the second child, create new 7 birth candles using the seed

Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle

Please refer to pages 153 – 165 of “The Tradition.”

(4) Other ceremonies

1) Eight Day Dedication Ceremony: One seed birth candle or 7 birth candles,

one seed Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle.

2) 103 Day Celebration: One seed Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle

3) Child’s birthday celebration: One seed Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle

4) Seung Hwa Ceremony: 2 newly-multiplied Cheon Jeong Palace holy

candles

5) Alter to attend to on daily basis after the Won Jeun Ceremony: 2 Cheon

Jeong Palace holy candles (Those used in the Seung Hwa Ceremony can

be used.)

3. When the seed Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle bequeathed to the family is

about to be exhausted

(1) Prepare one new candle in advance, and sanctify the candle with the Cheon

Jeong Palace holy salt newly bequeathed.

(2) Light the seed Cheon Jeong holy candle the church bequeathed to the family

with the seed holy match, and than light the new candle with that seed candle.

(3) While the candle is burning, pray as follows:

“I pray that this new candle inherits the authority and significance of the

seed Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle and be turned into the seed Cheon

Jeong Palace holy candle of ‘---‘ family. This I report in the names of the

True Parents of Heaven and Earth, True Children’s families and the

owner of Cheon Il Guk ‘----‘.”

4. Guideline concerning the Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle

(1) In case of a blessed couple who has not started family and husband and wife

work separately in different places, each spouse should separately receive the

Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle from the respective church.

(2) In case of a member who has not yet blessed, he or she can receive the Cheong

Jeong Palace holy candle from the church.

(3) When a member who has not blessed is about to exhaust the Cheon Jeong

Palace holy candle, he or she should basically receive the new Cheon Jeong

Palace holy candle from the church.

IV. Holy match

1. Method for the church to multiply the seed holy match

(1) The minister prepares the seed holy match box and one box of match

sanctified with the Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt newly bequeathed, and put

one seed holy match in the new match box. He then prays as follows.

“I pray that this new match box is turned into the seed holy match of

‘---‘ district (church). This I report in the names of the True Parents of

Heaven and Earth, True Children’s families and the owner of Cheon Il

Guk ‘----‘.”

(2) Each family’s holy match can be created by putting this seed holy match in the

new match box and praying as follow.

“I pray that this new match box is turned into the seed holy match of each

family. This I report in the names of the True Parents of Heaven and

Earth, True Children’s families and the owner of Cheon Il Guk ‘----‘.”

2. Method for the family to multiply the seed holy match

When the family I about to run out of the seed holy matches, the family

representative prepares the seed holy match box and one box of match

sanctified with the Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt newly bequeathed, and put

one seed holy match in the new match box. He then prays as follows.

“I pray that this new match box is turned into the seed holy match of

‘---‘ family. This I report in the names of the True Parents of Heaven and

Earth, True Children’s families and the owner of Cheon Il Guk ‘----‘.”

Each family’s seed Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle and holy match should be

bequeathed only by the district (church). A family cannot multiply the seed

Cheon Jeong Palace holy candle or holy match for other families.

V. Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt

1. Method to multiply the Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt

(1) Prepare the seed holy salt (Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt).

(2) Purchase the new salt.

(3) Clean the environment to be used to multiply the salt.

(4) Make a pile with the seed holy salt (Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt) as well as

seven piles each of which with an equal amount of salt as the seed.

(5) Offer a prayer.

(6) Sprinkle the seed holy salt (Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt) on each of the

seven piles of new salt.

(7) Mix the seed holy salt (Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt) into each of the seven

piles.

(8) Mix all the piles together.

(9) Offer a prayer of gratitude.

As for the figures describing the specific procedure, refer to the page 66 of “The

Tradition.”

2. Concluding part of the prayer

Until now, the prayer has been offered along the following lines for

sanctification.

(1) When the new holy salt is created.

“In the name of the Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit, True Parents, and my

name, I pray that this salt will be sanctified and become the holy salt.”

(2) When something is sanctified with the holy salt.

“To sanctify this to make it God’s, I pray in the name of the Holy Father, Holy

Son, Holy Spirit, True Parents, and my name.”

From now on, the prayer should be offered along the following lines for

sanctification.

(1) When the new Cheon Jeong holy salt is created.

Prayer should be offered along these lines: “I pray that this salt is

sanctified and turned into the Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt. This I report

in the names of the True Parents of Heaven and Earth, True Children’s

families and the owner of Cheon Il Guk ‘----‘.”

(2) When something is sanctified with the Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt.

With the prayer offered along these lines: “I pray that this is sanctified

and made God’s. This I report in the names of the True Parents of Heaven

and Earth, True Children’s families and the owner of Cheon Il Guk

‘----‘,”

the Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt should be strewed from north to south, east

and to west or sprinkled on the things to be sanctified three times as if to draw

a cross as the method previously followed. At that time, grab the Cheon Jeong

Palace holy salt with the right hand and sprinkle with the right hand.

3. Guideline concerning the Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt

(1) In case of a blessed couple who has not started family and husband and wife

work separately in different places, each spouse should separately receive the

Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt from the respective church.

(2) In case of a member who has not yet blessed, he or she can receive the Cheong

Jeong Palace holy salt from the church.

(3) When a member who has not blessed is about to run out of the Cheon Jeong

Palace holy salt, he or she cannot multiply it. He or she should always receive 

the new Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt from the church each time.

VI. Method to multiply the holy water

1. Sanctify the instruments to be used with the Cheon Jeong Palace holy salt.

2. Prepare the seed holy water.

3. Prepare the mineral water for multiplication of the new holy water.

4. Offer the initial prayer, saying “Now, I am going to multiply the holy water.”

5. The seed holy water can be poured into the new mineral water or the minetal water

can be poured into the seed holy water. Add a perfume water (e.g., Chanel No. 5,

etc.)

6. Offer a prayer, saying “I pray that this becomes the holy water that is used to

externally purify in the Blessing Ceremony.”

The prayer to be offered in 4 and 6 should be concluded with ending phrase, “This I

report in the names of the True Parents of Heaven and Earth, True Children’s families

and the owner of Cheon Il Guk ‘----‘.”

9. Hyung Jin Nim's Special Presentation (February 10, 2006)

February 10, 2006

3rd day of the Cheon Il Guk Leaders Assembly 2006, a presentation offered by Hyung Jin Nim, took place in the Chungseong Wanglim Palace (Heavenly Palace) at 8:00 a.m. The topic was about the importance of True Parents.

He firstly started the presentation, by talking about the reason for his appearance, and the feelings that he had for True Father as a child, and present time. "As a member of the church, and specially being the True Parents' son, studying other religions were a surprising shock for the members. However, Father told me to study all the religions, and learn at least 12 languages." Hyung Jin Nim entertained the audience with his great sense of humor, but sent the message out very strongly.

"We have to clarify now, that there will only be True Parents. The future generations shouldn't have the difficulties of understanding this important concept."

Hyung Jin Nim told us that we have to become as one, more than ever.

Finally ending the speech, Hyung Jin Nim thanked all of the members who attend True Parents. Hyung Jin Nim couldn't continue with his speech, because he couldn't stop the tears coming out, for thanking the members.

8. Summary of Hyung Jin Moon's Speech At The Cheon Il Guk Leaders' Conference (February 6, 2006)

February 6, 2006
Chung Pyung, Korea
Unofficial Translation

The fact that Father wrote the poem "The Crown of Glory" at the age of 16 is incredible to me, when I think of current myself. I came to think about life since my elder brother Young-Jin passed away. Until then, I used to live in comfortable and safe surroundings in the East Garden. But for Young-Jin's death, I would have become a person of pride and arrogance. His death made me interested in religion. Subsequently, I became bald-headed and came to wear Korean clothes. Since those days I began to visit Father in his room late at night and ask him many questions. And, I came to know Father personally. Through those things, I came to realize that actual Father was different from what I thought he was. In those days, he told me to study world religions. So, I have been studying theology. This year I am going to finish my master's course and begin the doctor's course.

I used to hate studying more than anything else. I preferred to play outside rather than studying. Therefore, (laughing) I now have to bear the indemnity of having to study at this age.

For today's speech, I prepared a little bit to talk about why theology is necessary.

Currently, I am concentrating on trinity in my study of theology. The reason why I am talking about it is because the people in general do not have a good image (or impression) of theology.

In the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th centuries there were heated theological arguments. Those arguments originated from a question as to who Jesus was, namely, whether he was God or human. The arguments started from the different opinions on whether he was similar to God or he was the same as God. This fight had a lot of influences, giving birth to the division between the Roman Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox. Then, how are those things related to the Unification Church? As we study theology, we come to realize the necessity for enhancing the value of True Parents, first, then, the necessity for preventing division, and, furthermore, the necessity for protecting the value of True Parents, and also the necessity for not making theological mistakes, and maintaining the centrality.

What our family members should understand are:

1) Father is the only person. This is the most important issue.
2) The center should never move.

Christian ministers play the role of a bridge. In my university Christian ministers and Buddhist priests are friends of mine. They have the responsibility for introducing Jesus and Buddha respectively. In theology they insist on the trinity of Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. If so, there will be no value of True Parents. Why? It is because believers want to go to a higher place and, therefore, to God only. As a result, in the 3rd century, there appeared theologians who did not appreciate the value of the coming of Jesus. In addition, since Jesus was regarded as God, the dogma of trinity produced that of three gods or that of two gods, and destroyed the dogma of one God. Also, there is a possibility that True Parents will be regarded as a prophet and that the value of True Parents will be down graded.

It is said that this problem was solved at the Nicaea Conference at the time of Emperor Constantine. Actually, however, the problem started there and then. Theologians became divided between those who asserted that God and Jesus were similar and those who asserted that God and Jesus are the same. We could make a similar mistake, too. In Islam, they say that Mohamed was a prophet. According to the Koran, there are two big sins. The first sin is to not believe in God. The second is to attend another being besides God. If this idea is emphasized, the value of True Parents and the value of True Parent's blood lineage become small. A Catholic priest, who is a friend of mine, says, "I directly attend God. Which is higher, myself or those who attend a human being?"

If we think in this way, theology is very important. Without theology, we cannot explain what kind of persons True Parents are. That is why, True Parents said, I would have to study theology.

The Unification Church must always enhance True Parents. In America, spiritual leaders appeared 200 years ago. Today, however, their religions have lost their spiritual aspects and are concentrating on economic activities. There is some possibility that the Unification Church may also lose its tradition, losing its spiritual aspects. Therefore, we must keep interest in spiritual things. The center of our life of faith must be the True Parents.

In True Parent's Words there are contradictory words: some words say that we need to liberate God because He is not liberated, while there are other words which say God has been liberated. This kind of contradiction exists in many aspects of theology.

There is a bridge. A father is calling his children to come to him by crossing the bridge. But, the bride has no parapet. So, unless they walk straight, they may fall down from the bridge. When the children go to right too much, the father will tell them to go left; when the children go to left too much, the father will tell them to go to right. The situation is similar to that. If God cannot liberate Himself, the value of True Parents goes up very much. We must make efforts to enhance the value of True Parents.

I must apologize to Father for having said that I did not want to study theology. Father told me to study at least eight languages. So, I am now learning English, Korean, Japanese, ancient Chinese, and Greek. In the days to come I must learn Sanskrit, French, Spanish, and German, etc. I am going to learn 12 languages altogether.

Yesterday Father said, "I am going to Hannam-dong today." So, I said, "Why are you going today when I give a speech?" He replied, " If I were present, you would feel uneasy." However, he will watch me speak on the Internet anyway. I love Father. I love Mother as well. There are mainly two types of religions in the world. One of them are universal religions; the others are ethnic religions. Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Confucianism, etc. are universal religions. The universal religions assert that people can become disciples. They have that kind of universal message. Therefore, those religions spread to the world.

The Unification Church also teaches that all people can become True Parents. Unification Church teaches about democratization of the Messiah. All people can become the Messiahs. The National Messiahs and the Blessed Family in Africa are all Tribal Messiahs. Moreover, it is a religion that gives the Blessing to everyone.

I was born as a son of True Parents. However, True Parents were so busy that I could hardly meet with them.

I became a monk six years ago. At that time, I thought that I would die. However, I have gained eternal life instead. I was told to continue to study instead of being persecuted. At that time, I received love and salvation from Father. I experienced True Parent's power. I have met with Dalai Lama. I have also met with a teacher of philosophy who was a Catholic priest. I talked with Dalai Lama in January. I bought air tickets at the time of Christmas last year, but I was told that I had no visa. I became desperate. On Monday after Christmas, I went to the office of consulate. They asked me for what purpose I was going to India. So, I replied that I was going to visit Dalai Lama. Then, they said, "If you are going for a religious purpose, it would take six months to obtain visa.

However, I managed to get visa and went to India. In order to visit Dalai Lama, I had to travel to his place near the Himalayas by car. It took 12 hours. The mountain roads were not smooth. I became carsick. When I arrived at last, I was met by a secretary. Americans and Englishmen were standing on line. The visitors went in and came out of the room at an interval of five minutes. When I asked the secretary how long I could see him, he said with an unfriendly attitude, "Five minutes." I said to myself, "It took a very long time to come here.

Yet, I can see him for only five minutes, can't I?" How was my meeting with him actually? Simply saying I spent 45 minutes with him. I report to True Parents about the meeting, showing photos. True Parents were very pleased and made me give the same report at every meal. I talked to Dalai Lama that I had received salvation. Listening to my talk, he said, "You are a wise man." No one knows me. Yet, I was able to see him because I am a child of True Parents.

I myself am nothing. This understanding is important. If Father and Mother had not done it on that day, I would not have existed. No matter what I do, I have nothing to be proud of.

Seen theologically, Mother has great value because she is the one who perfected Father. She has holy value.

How should we explain true love? Suppose there is a person to love in our life. We think that happiness of our sons and daughters are even more important than that of our own.

If we can love all the people in the universe in that way, that love is close to True Parent's love. It is difficult to love even one person. In this secular world there are many people who fight with their spouses and get divorced. One day Father asked me, "Have you seen me fight with Mother?" I have never seen True Parents fight with one another. I really appreciate the fact.

True love is the universal love. To learn about world religions is to know culture, philosophy, and life of others. It is the same as a movement for knowing others. If you study Christianity, you can get closer to Jesus. If you study Buddhism, you can get closer to Shakyamuni. If you study Confucianism, you can get closer to Confucius.

I have been to the place where Confucius was born. The birthday of Confucius is September 26, the same day as mine. He is said to have been a very tall man. It is said that his height was more than 185 centimeters. And, it is said, his head did not have a good shape with a prominent forehead.

There lived some descendants of Confucius near the place. When they saw me, they said, "You are a reincarnation of Confucius." It is because my birthday is the same. I am tall, and my head has a strange shape, too. I said to them, "I cannot be." The Unification Family must transcend barriers. All the people are one under True Parents. When we see our brothers and sisters, we must appreciate them. When I see the 36 couples, I feel they are my brothers and sisters.

It is not good to think that I am superior because I am a member of True Family.

I should think that I can live in this way thanks to you, family members, particularly to the Japanese members who have been attending True Parents. (Weeping) We must respect them. I would like to offer a bow to the Japanese members.

We must make the Unification Family become one family.

7. Hyung Jin Moon, Son of Unification Church Founder, Pays a Courtesy Visit to President of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (August 9, 2005)

Hyung Jin Moon
August 9, 2005

The following is a translation of an article that appeared in a newspaper of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The Jogye Order has millions of members in Korea and is the largest Korean organization. The president of the Jogye Order, Ven. Bub Jang, met Hyung Jin Nim at Harvard University in June of this year and was very impressed. At that time, President Bub Jang expressed his appreciation for Hyung Jin Nim's ministry and said that he believed that Hyung Jin Nim had an important role to play in building unity among religious people. When Hyung Jin Nim visited the Jogye Order in Korea on August 2nd, President Bub Jang was so happy to see Hyung Jin Nim and then invited him to speak at a major world conference of Buddhism that he is organizing later this year in Singapore.

Hyung Jin Moon, Son of Unification Church Founder, Pays a Courtesy Visit to President of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

"Religious people should be of one heart and mind in exploring the path to peace"

http://www.buddhism.or.kr/news/order/board_view.asp?article_id=549&page=1&search_key=&search_value=

"World peace can be achieved if religious people discard their pride."

On August 2nd, Hyung Jin Moon paid a courtesy visit to Ven. Bub Jang, the president of the Jogye order of Korean Buddhism. In his awkward Korean, Mr. Moon emphasized the importance of religion. Mr. Moon is 27 years old and the youngest son of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the founder of the Unification Church and the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.

Mr. Moon and President Bub Jang's relationship goes back to their first meeting when President Bub Jang visited the Harvard Center for the Study of World Religions in Boston.

At that time Mr. Moon had drawn people's attention by saying, "I am deeply interested in Buddhism, so I shaved my head and I am studying meditation." This time, Mr. Moon paid a return visit to President Bub Jang.

In their conversation, President Bub Jang said, "This world is not based on an 'I-You' relationship but on the doctrine of 'dependent origination.' Consequently, what belongs to me is as important as what belongs to you. This indeed is the aim of religion." He also pointed out that, "pastors and monks should not just hold dear their respective titles but should think of the whole and stand strong as guideposts in presenting the values in life that the world's people aspire towards."

To this Mr. Moon responded, "The more I study the world's religions, the more I feel that there is much to learn. I will engrave your guidance in my heart and study even harder to explore a path of co-existence." He also emphasized that, "at a time when terrorism, war and conflict between religions is rampant in many parts of the world, religious people should gain a comprehensive understanding of the world's religions and be of one heart and mind in following the path towards world peace."

To this the Ven. Bub Jang replied, "It is important for people to be able to live as human beings and to be able to change their thoughts. I hope that you, Mr. Moon, can become a person who can present these aims to many people who wonder how to live life to the fullest and how people should think in the proper way."

Also present at this meeting were Ven. Shim Gyeong, head of the Department of Secretarial Affairs; Ven. Jeong Nyum, director of the Missionary Activities Office of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism; and Rev. Joo Hyun Pak from the Unification Church.

Translation by Ko, Geon-duk