[HWPL]
[HWPL] 2025 HWPL International Religious Peace Academy
Chairman ManHee Lee is the head representative of the global peace organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), which is striving for the enactment and implementation of the international peace law 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)'. The DPCW is a legal instrument comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses that can end wars and hostilities throughout the world. HWPL is also spreading a culture of peace and implementing peace education.
Chairman ManHee Lee experienced the cruelty and tragedy of war as a veteran of the Korean War. This is one of the reasons why he founded a global peace campaign as the head of HWPL. He has traveled the globe more than 35 times to meet and persuade politicians, legal experts, journalists, professors, peace activists, civil organization leaders, heads of tribes and others to unite them for the work of peace. The significant fruits borne out of his hard work are the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit and HWPL Peace Committee. The DPCW was drafted and finalised by the HWPL Peace Committee.
How, you may wonder, do I know this? About 10 years ago, when I had just been discharged from military service, I came to know HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee while researching the topic of civil conflicts to satisfy my curiosity in ongoing global issues. At that time, the island of Mindanao in the Philippines was suffering from a major civil conflict that lasted more than 40 years, and Chairman ManHee Lee and HWPL resolved this conflict through non-violent means.
Chairman Lee brought an end to the conflict in Mindanao by holding a peace talk between the warring Catholic and Islamic groups. Before the talk, HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee held a Peace Walk to spread the culture of peace in Mindanao with the many locals who had gathered out of a desire for peace.
Chairman ManHee Lee's pressing appeal today is that humanity unites for sustainable peace in order to pass on the legacy of peace to future generations worldwide. He doesn't just talk peace, but has worked tirelessly for it through practical peace campaigns for over a decade.
I decided to become a supporter of HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee's peace initiatives because I also desire a world of peace for all posterity.
Today I'd like to introduce an article regarding 2025 HWPL International Religious Peace Academy :)
HWPL International Religious Peace Academy
On September 18, religious leaders from around the world gathered at the 11th Anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit to hold a session of the “HWPL International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA),” which conveyed the message, “Let us prevent conflict by learning from and understanding one another.”
The IRPA first began as offline lectures in Korea in 2023, attracting over a thousand participants at each session. As of 2025, it has brought together 2,300 people from 100 countries, with a cumulative total of 9,445 participants from 108 countries. This demonstrates a growing trend of religious leaders and believers worldwide uniting with one heart toward peace.
In my ministry in Cagayan de Oro and across Mindanao, I have seen both the pain of conflict—families displaced, mistrust between Christians and Muslims, and the wounds of division—and the hope that dialogue brings.
On December 3, 2023, a bombing struck Marawi City, Mindanao. Through HWPL’s mediation, a dialogue was held in Cotabato in January 2024 between Mindanao bishops and Islamic leaders, resulting in a joint statement that helped prevent violence and preserve peace in BARMM.
Even small conversations have opened doors to reconciliation. The Mindanao Peace Agreement affirmed this truth: we can choose dialogue over violence.
Today, that work continues. HWPL has expanded its efforts beyond agreements to engage youth, women, educators, and most especially through the Religious Peace Academy (RPA). I have been privileged to serve as a lecturer here, where leaders of different faiths study their scriptures side by side—to deepen understanding, discover shared values, and strengthen bonds of peace.
In the Philippines, through the IPYG and HWPL peace clubs, students also join the RPA in their schools. Afterward, they experience Youth Peace Camps, visiting both Christian and Islamic places of worship to put their learning into practice. The RPA empowers both leaders and youth to grow together, ensuring that the next generation carries forward the mission of peace.
– The Most Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma, Archbishop Emeritus of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
The session began with congratulatory remarks from the Most Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma, Archbishop Emeritus of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, followed by an introduction to the HWPL International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA), special presentations on Buddhism, Islam, and Confucianism, and a special lecture on Christianity. Religious leaders from each tradition shared the depth of their faith while learning from one another’s scriptures. Through this exchange, they confirmed that the path of learning together and living with mutual respect is the very image of peace that humanity must create and the vision for future religious integration.
First, Ehsan Mirza, Imam of Daejeon Islamic Center, delivered a presentation on the theme “The Teachings of the Qur’an for Peace and an Invitation to Interreligious Understanding.” Imam Mirza stated that the International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA) is now growing significantly as a global peace platform, encompassing not only religious leaders but also political and social leaders from various countries. He explained that leaders from major religious denominations including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism are engaging in profound dialogue and lectures while discussing their scriptures. He further noted that recently, diverse social leaders such as legal professionals, educators, youth, women, and members of the media have joined, establishing IRPA as a large-scale international event with participation from governments and public institutions of various countries.
He also cited the Qur’anic teaching that “there is no compulsion in religion” (Qur’an 2:256), emphasizing the importance of interreligious understanding. He stated that this principle of Islam, based on freedom of faith, diversity, and respect for other religions, demonstrates that all humanity can become one.
Kim Boo-eoun, Executive Vice President of the National Federation of Confucian Scholars, presented on the theme “Solidarity and Sharing: Humanity’s Mission for Peace — The Wisdom of the Confucian Scriptures.” He explained Confucian thought, which teaches that when one first cultivates and rectifies one’s own body and mind, the family becomes harmonious; when the family is well-governed, one can govern the nation; and only after the nation is upright can there be peace under heaven. He appealed that we must first govern our own minds with peace.
Beop-ryun, Abbot of Geumdangam Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, presented on “The Common Truths in Buddhist Scriptures and the Path to Harmony.” He emphasized that since all existence is interdependent, practicing an altruistic attitude and compassion is indispensable in life. He particularly highlighted that in interdependent relationships, it is important to understand and know one another, and to this end, we must learn the scriptures of each religion.
In the special lecture on Christianity, Chairman Lee Man-hee, who serves as the Chairman of HWPL and the Chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, participated as a speaker and shared insights on Christian scriptures. The diverse religious leaders in attendance spent time discovering anew the universal values and meanings contained in Christian scriptures.
Through this session, participants discovered the common values of peace and harmony that each religion fundamentally pursues. On the 20th, special lectures on Buddhism, Confucianism, and Islam were held in various regions. Notably, the special lecture on Islam was held at Daeyaksa Temple of the Yeorae Order of Korean Buddhism, carrying the special significance of learning Islamic scriptures in a Buddhist temple. This demonstrated that practical interfaith exchange and harmony through HWPL’s religious peace initiatives are leading to concrete results.
HWPL plans to continue taking the lead in spreading a culture of peace based on interreligious dialogue and education through collaboration with religious leaders around the world.
