[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's Solidarity of Religions' Peace Committee Declared a Statement on the Russia-Ukraine War

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 a statement by HWPL Solidarity of Religions' Peace Committee on the Russia-Ukraine War. Chairman ManHee Lee founded HWPL and proclaimed DCPW to end every war and conflicts in the world, but it was heartbreaking for him to hear news of Russia-Ukraine War. Let's read the article together :)

Statement by HWPL Solidarity of Religions’ Peace Committee on the Russia-Ukraine War

: Unified Voice by Religious Leaders to Urge for the End of Russia-Ukraine War & for Peace

 

It has already been a year and two months since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 last year causing a war to break out. Despite the world’s desire for the war to end as soon as possible, the war is being prolonged causing many concerns to arise.

HWPL has been providing material and emotional support to those affected by the Russia-Ukraine war. There was a conference held for peace between Russia and Ukraine, a statement issued to urge for peace, peace letters sent to Russia’s President Putin to urge for the war to end, and volunteer work and sponsor activities for the Ukrainian refugees.

 

 

In addition, religious leaders attending the HWPL World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Office have consistently held several large and small prayer meetings since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine War with hopes to end the war and restore peace. Although they have different religions, they participated in prayer meetings with their members and prayed earnestly for peace between Russia and Ukraine while respecting each other’s prayer culture.

This opportunity showed how everyone’s heart for peace is the same, transcending doctrines and cultures of each religion, and the boundaries of the continent and the country. Therefore, all religious leaders from the HWPL Solidarity of Religions’ Peace Committee joined forces to write a statement calling for an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The statement encompasses the urge for the complete end of the Russia-Ukraine war and hostilities between the two countries, and the tragic heart about the innocent lives being sacrificed. It also includes the concern of mass destruction and co-destruction caused by the prolonged war, and hopes for peace negotiations through the mediation of the international society, prompt resolution of problems, and the restoration of peace.

 

Religious leaders of the HWPL Solidarity of Religions’ Peace Committee who wrote and signed the statement include Elias Chacour the Archbishop Emeritus of Melkite Catholic Church in Israel, Vong Teph the Great Supreme Patriarch of Supreme Patriarch’s Cabinet in Cambodia, Homi Burjor Dhalla the President of World Zarathushti Cultural Foundation in India, Phra Brahmapundit the President of the International Council for the Day of Vesak in Thailand, Mohammad Al Yaqoobi the Grand Ayatollah of Office of the Religious Reference Sheikh Mohammad Al Yaqoobi, and Dae Bong the Executive Chief of Korean Buddhism Jogyejong Conference in Korea.

President Homi Burjor Dhalla said, “The war itself is definitely a violation of human rights,” actively expressing his desire to stop the war and a heart to aid and serve the victims.

Korean Monk Dae Bong revealed his regret after hearing how the Russia-Ukraine War is affecting their people, destroying the people’s daily lives, and how many innocent lives are being sacrificed. He urged to transcend religion and cooperate by saying, “Buddha and Jesus said to achieve peace. HWPL is working to end war and we should transcend religion and cooperate with this work.”

Religious leaders who are currently attending the HWPL World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Office joined the Peace Letter Campaign for peace in Russia and Ukraine held by the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) to mark the 7^th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). The urge to end the Russia-Ukraine War and achieve peace will continue.

Together, we can jointly work for the world peace to stop the war and conflicts in the world with HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee :) If you are interested, please click following link :)

HWPL Official Homepage

https://www.hwpl.kr/language/en/home-hwpl-_en/