[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL Seoul-Gyeonggi Southern Branch's 4th Peace Lecture!

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 HWPL Seoul-Gyeonggi Southern branch's 4th Peace Lecture in Korea :)

Seoul-Gyeonggi Southern Peace Action Committee Hosts 4th Peace Lecture

Embracing Peace: Tracing the Roots of Korean Peace Philosophy

The Seoul-Gyeonggi Southern Peace Action Committee hosted its 4th Peace Lecture on December 9, 2024, in the seminar room of the Seongnam City Council in Gyeonggi Province. The lecture featured Venerable Seok Cheongbo, the head monk of Bulgok Mountain Beopgisa Temple, who spoke on the theme, “Seeking the Foundations of Korean Peace Philosophy through Wonhyo’s Thought of ‘Hwajaeng.’”

The event was attended by approximately 45 participants, including Seongnam City Council Member Kim Jang-kwon; Venerable Taekbong, head monk of Borim Temple in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province; Jeong Chan-goo, Secretary General of the National Federation of Environmental Protection Movements; Kim Il-tae, Chairman of Beopdeungmyeong Association at Beopgisa Temple; Pastor Park Jong-man of Nuguna Church; Lee Jin-mo, Chief Branch Manager of the HWPL Global 01 Branch; and Yeo Sun-young, CEO of Chaeum.

Venerable Seok Cheongbo, who has been actively promoting the Hwaeom Philosophy since he launched the inaugural Grand Lecture of Thought of ‘Hwajaeng’ in 2013, has conducted 11 sessions to date. He is also an active panelist in the HWPL WARP Office for Buddhism in Korea.

In his lecture, Venerable Seok Cheongbo emphasized the “thought of ‘Hwajaeng’, which guides all disputes toward harmony. It is not merely about compromise. It seeks genuine unity through education and discussion, offering profound wisdom from enlightened leaders and a valuable cultural asset for our nation.” He highlighted the importance of gyeoncheong (견청), the process of seeing and listening to each other to resolve conflict, and presented practical approaches to achieving peace and harmony.

Venerable Taekbong of Gwangju’s Borim Temple expressed his admiration, stating, “Venerable Seok Cheongbo is the only monk in Korea who has consistently practiced the thought of ‘Hwajaeng’. Today’s lecture was particularly inspiring.”

Kang Seong-mi, Director of the Organic Culture Center, said, “The concept of gyeoncheong as a solution to disputes was especially impactful. I hope such attitudes are implemented in today’s political and social spheres.”

Pastor Park Jong-man from Nuguna Church also shared his thoughts. “The lecture was insightful, and the diversity in the audience’s age groups highlighted the importance of peace lectures. I was particularly impressed by the lecturer’s open-minded application of the thought of ‘Hwajaeng’ beyond religious boundaries.”

The Seoul-Gyeonggi Southern Peace Action Committee is an organization committed to fostering trust, respect, participation, and collaboration to prevent and resolve public conflicts in the region. It also promotes sustainable development and peacebuilding. Since April 2024, the committee has held three peace lectures and five environmental cleanup activities, continually sharing the value of peace with the community.

The 4th Peace Lecture served as a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the harmony and peace inherent in Wonhyo’s Thought of ‘Hwajaeng.’ The event concluded successfully, receiving enthusiastic responses from the attendees.

Interested in HWPL's peace work for the world? Please visit following link :)

HWPL Official Homepage

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