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HWPL World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Office Journal
January 2024 Issue
January 2024 HWPL WARP Journal
1,415 WARP OFFICES MEETINGS HELD IN 109 COUNTRIES IN 2023
Africa 275
Europe 298
Middle East 76
Ghana
Uganda
Greece
Albania
Lebanon
Namibia
Zambia
Norway
United Kingdom
Saudi Arabia
Gambia Nigeria
South Sudan South Africa Lesotho
Rwanda Mali
Mozambique
Netherlands
Egypt
Zimbabwe Cameroon Kenya
Côte d’Ivoire Tanzania Tunisia
Estonia
Germany
Austria
Latvia
Ukraine
Romania
Italy
Lithuania
Czech Republic
Moldova
Kosovo
Belgium
Croatia
Sweden
Burundi
Cyprus
Swiss
Sudan
Portugal
Spain
Ethiopia
Poland
Slovakia
Eswatini
Bahrain Syria
United Arab Emirates Yemen
Jordan Iraq
Israel
Kuwait
France
Armenia
Finland
CURRENT WARP OFFICES STATUS As of December 31, 2023 Total of 283 offices in 131 countries
Europe 38 Countries 47 Offices
13 Countries 14 Offices Middle East 26 Countries 33 Offices Africa
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Oceania 3 Countries 7 Offices
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
- No. of MOUs signed: 66 in 22 countries
CIS 35
Asia 386
Russia
Nepal
Cambodia
Guyana
El Salvador
Kazakhstan
Laos
Pakistan
Grenada
Jamaica
Belarus
East Timor
Kyrgyzstan
New Zealand
Thailand
Malaysia
Philippines
Mongolia
Oceania 51 Australia
America 294
Myanmar
Guatemala Nicaragua Mexico USA
Bangladesh
Bahamas
Vietnam
Venezuela
Bhutan
Belize
Sri Lanka
Brazil
Afghanistan
Suriname
India
Argentina
Antigua and Barbuda
Indonesia
Ecuador
Japan
4 Countries 4 Offices CIS 25 Countries 44 Offices America Asia 22 Countries 134 Offices
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Uruguay Chile
Canada
Costa Rica Columbia
Trinidad and Tobago Panama
Paraguay
2024 Welcome Message
Dear Family of Peace, Hello, this is the HWPL WARP Office Headquarters. We would like to express our gratitude to all the religious leaders who have worked hard for religious peace and harmony throughout the year 2023. In 2023, not only did we see the resumption of interreligious peace initiatives after the pandemic, but we have also engaged in many more peace activities through WARP Office meetings, peace conferences, MOU signings, prayer meetings for peace, and more. Notably, HWPL started a ground-breaking initiative through the International Religious Peace Academy, a new platform for actively comparing and studying scriptures from different religions. Through this unprecedented, proactive pursuit of peace, many religious leaders have gained a deeper understanding of other religions, discovering commonalities and differences. With these endeavors, HWPL has made a remarkable leap towards achieving sustainable peace. In this issue of the WARP Office Journal, we introduce the various cultural exchanges and peace activities of the past year which were made possible by HWPL and religious leaders from around the world. We hope this will be a valuable time for all of us to reflect on our efforts for peace and make lasting commitments for the coming year.
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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
01
HWPL Headquarters
The 1st HWPL International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA)
For years, HWPL has been building interreligious peace and cultural understanding through dialogues and discussions based on religious scriptures. In addition to creating a basic understanding of each religion through lectures on religious scriptures by various religious leaders, HWPL has established the HWPL International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA) platform, which allows for a deeper exploration of a broader range of topics.
gious scriptures. Approximately 1,388 religious leaders from 108 countries attended the Academy.
The distinguished religious leaders invited to HWPL’s IRPA delivered lectures on various topics. Moreover, religious leaders who were invited as participants were able to choose and attend lectures on scriptures of other religions. For the first and second weeks of July, lectures were conducted for 15 minutes each from the five religions based on predetermined topics. In the third and fourth weeks, in-depth lectures were provided to religious leaders to choose from based on their interest on religions other than their own.
The 1st HWPL IRPA was conducted through online lectures every Saturday for four weeks, from July 8th to 29th. In this edition of the IRPA, religious leaders from five religions — Buddhism , Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism - delivered lectures based on their respective reli-
In the first week, the lectures were conducted on
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HWPL Religious Peace Activities
the topic of “Prophecy and Fulfillment,” and in the second week, the topic was “Signs of the End Times and the New Era.” The lectures were held in the order of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism, i.e., in alphabetical order.
other’s voices in harmony. With this, positive attitude has increased within individuals and inter-religious conflicts have declined. The positive effects are intense and tremendous. Therefore, it is the duty of ours — religious individuals — to listen to others and to the teachings of other religions with tolerance , without getting too attached to our own views or religion , to learn more by connecting those teachings with our own faiths , and to spread this knowledge further.”
HWPL believes that learning about other scriptures through the IRPA would be helpful to promote understanding of each other’s cultures and religions, enhance interreligious exchange, and spread a culture of peace between religious groups.
Through the IRPA, HWPL hopes that various religious leaders will deepen their understanding of each other’s scriptures and cultures. Moving forward, HWPL plans to continue the IRPA to re-discover the true essence of religion and to enable religions to practice true , sustainable love and understanding, rather than be abused as a tool for conflict.
Enkhbuyan Jargalsaikha, Monk of Sain Nomuun Buddhist Monastery of Mongolia , who have attended the IRPA said , “ Many religious leaders , representatives of different faiths and participants from various denominations have enrolled in the Religious Peace Academy of HWPL, and are connecting, participating, and listening to each
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02
HWPL Headquarters
HWPL World Interfaith Prayer Conference 2023
On November 18, 2023, HWPL World Alliance of Religions ’ Peace (WARP) Office headquarters hosted the ‘2023 HWPL World Interfaith Prayer Conference : Prayers for End of Wars ’, together with religious leaders from around the world . The live event was conducted online at 6:00 and 13:00 UTC, to take into account the international time zones of the attendees . The event was attended by over 640 religious leaders from 73 countries.
ous difficulties. This prayer meeting also held in the hopes for the end of wars and rampant conflicts in many parts of the world , including the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. In addition, it was a gathering of those with heartfelt wishes to halt further pain and loss of life, and to remember the innocent victims of war - civilians, especially women and children. In this event, a total of 11 leaders from various religions came forward in two sessions to conduct representative prayers, with their respective religious cultures. Between the prayers led by the representatives, there was a moment for everyone to pray together. With diverse prayers conducted in different ways, all participants sincere-
So far , HWPL has held global interfaith prayer meetings whenever there were global issues , such as the COVID-19 pandemic , major natural disasters, and the Russia-Ukraine war, with the aim of uniting religious people to overcome vari-
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HWPL Religious Peace Activities
ly joined the prayer meeting with a united heart for the cessation of war and the pursuit of peace while respecting each other’s religious cultures. Especially during the dedicated moment to commemorate the victims of war and seek comfort and peace for those left behind, many attendees empathized with the pain, shedding tears in solidarity.
backgrounds to pray for peace, unity, and understanding. The conference was filled with beautiful prayers, music, and speeches, and it was clear that everyone there was united in their desire to make the world a better place. One of the highlights of the conference was the opportunity to hear from spiritual leaders from all over the world. It was a great opportunity to participate in interfaith prayer services . These services were truly moving experiences, and they helped to foster a sense of connection and community among the participants.”
Ven. Nanavamsa, a student at Gautam Buddha University, who attended the event said, “HWPL World Interfaith Prayer Conference was a vital role in development of peace all over the world. A number of great religious leaders across the world participated in the conference to foster the growth of loving kindness and sympathy towards all beings. Moreover, it is necessary to gather together for the occasion to make peace. I strongly believe that occasionally meeting each other and seeking a practical way can lead to a peaceful world without a long and bitter conflict between any society.”
At the end of the event, HWPL proposed the ‘Relay Prayer Campaign’ as a practical action to take for the end of wars and the realization of peace. The campaign aimed to emphasize the importance of gathering hearts for peace as a primary step in stopping the ongoing conflicts and establishing a foundation for peace. HWPL strongly believes that organizing relay prayer campaigns , whether big or small, all over the world will awaken increasing numbers of people to the possibility of ending war and fostering peaceful coexistence, ultimately leading to a world of peace.
Another participant , Dr . Sri Bala Mylavarapu , Gender Studies Dean of Henry Martyn Institute, Hyderabad , said , “ The World Interfaith Prayer Conference was a powerful and moving event that brought together people of all faiths and
Let’s hope for a world of peace to arrive sooner! We are ONE!
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03
Global 01 Branch
2023 HWPL Global 01 Branch Religious Leaders Meeting and MOU Signing Ceremony
On September 18, 2023, in Incheon, South Korea, HWPL celebrated the 9th anniversary of the World Peace Summit, where dignitaries from various countries gathered to participate in discussions and events for achieving peace. The peace event lasted for four days until September 21, with 22 sessions held to discuss practical measures for peace, such as the establishment of international law and interreligious harmony, and to unite the resolve and hearts of peacemakers.
valuable opportunity for the dignitaries from various countries , liaised by Global 01 Branch , to meet face-to-face for the first time in three years since the pandemic, and engage in dialogue. It was also a gathering arranged for the MOU signing ceremony, in a show of commitment to collaborate for various peace activities.
The 27 religious leaders have also attended the International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA) held every Saturday last July, prior to the Peace Summit . “ Through this lecture series , understanding of different religions and scriptures was enhanced for the religious leaders who have participated . The dignitaries who attended the branch meeting on this day also chose to attend
Global 01 Branch invited 27 religious leaders from 11 countries, including the United States, India, and the Philippines, to a branch meeting held at the SIEMPRE Convention Hall on Yeongjong Island, Incheon. The branch meeting was a
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HWPL Religious Peace Activities
the in-depth lecture on Christianity.
Prior to the start of the branch meeting, the Secretary-General of Global 01 Branch delivered a welcome speech, followed by presentations from Sardar Inderpal Singh (a Sikh Scholar) and Gopinath Das (Priest from the ISKCON temple in Finland) on their reflections from the IRPA. The common theme of their presentations was that it was a remarkable feat for HWPL to gather so many religious leaders in one place for the cause of peace , and they spoke of the tremendous achievement it was to make this possible. After the presentations, representative religious leaders of a total of 8 organizations, and Global 01 Branch pledged to cooperate in and promote HWPL’s peace initiatives.
Sardar Bhupinder Singh, the head priest and representative of Guru Teg Bahadar Jalandhar in India, had decided that through this agreement, all members of the Sikh temple will join HWPL and establish a foundation for peace activities within India . Guru Teg Bahadar Sikh Temple not only
operates as a religious organization but also runs major facilities for citizens such as hospitals and schools, so they anticipate a significant impact through their peace activities.
Swami Arya Tapsavi from India, who is an International Vedic Preacher for the religious organization ‘International Arya Samaj Preaching Society,’ and Jasvinder Singh Arora, who is a founder and Sikh scholar of the religious organization ‘EK ONKAR,’ also promised to cooperate by encouraging their respective organization members to join HWPL and participate in peace activities within India.
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‘Dominion Christian Center,’ is an organization based in Sweden but active in Europe and Africa, is led by Pastor Okuwdili Okekeoji. The organization expressed their willingness to encourage membership in HWPL and collaborate with Global 01 Branch ’ s network in Europe to carry out HWPL’s peace activities.
Ashin Htavara from Norway , represents the ‘ D-Day Channel,’ a media outlet he founded to support democracy in Myanmar, his home country . He pledged to actively promote HWPL ’ s peace activities through his organization and expressed his hope that this MOU could serve as a positive signal for peace in Myanmar.
Rabindranath Persaud from Guyana also signed the MOU to engage actively in peace activities with Global 01 Branch’s network. He has founded a Hindu organization called ‘ Viraat Sabhaa Hindu ’ in Guyana and described it as a group created to share thoughts and support each other for not only the development of Hinduism but also spiritual and cultural advancement. Therefore, he was impressed by the fact that the IRPA hosted by HWPL shares the same goals as his organization . Through the MOU , he pledged to promote HWPL’s peace activities in Viraat Sabhaa Hindu , where they work with diverse lead-
ers in the community.
Leaders from the Dominican Republic , Pastor Juan Fernando Gonzalez and Gregorio Almanzar, are the representatives of religious groups. Pastor Juan Fernando Gonzalez represents ‘Iglesia Cristiana Bautista en Santo Domingo,’ which is also under Pastor Gregorio Almanzar’s organization, ‘Oradores sin Fronteras.’ The latter’s organization brings leaders together from various fields such as religion and politics. These leaders have pledged to promote HWPL’s peace activities in the Dominican Republic through encouraging signing up as members of HWPL and by organizing peace events in collaboration with the HWPL Global 01 Branch’s network. As a hub for leaders of various fields, the ‘Oradores sin Fronteras’ also promised to serve as a bridge to facilitate MOUs between various organizations and HWPL.
All the leaders have pledged to engage in research and operate their respective religious organizations for the sake of HWPL’s peace initiatives when they return to their home countries. We hope that these leaders, who have come to understand and appreciate the core value of peace in each religion , actively participate in peace activities, becoming pioneers in religious integration in the future.
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HWPL Religious Peace Activities
04
MOU Signing Ceremony with Takht Sri Damdama Sahib
Sardar Giani Harpreet Singh, the representative priest of ‘Takht Sri Damdama Sahib,’ the fourthlargest Sikh temple in India, visited Korea along with his daughter, Hargunpreet Kaur (Youth Representative of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib) . Although he couldn’t attend the 9th Anniversary of the World Peace Summit due to personal commitments, he visited Korea from October 6th to 9th to establish a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with HWPL Global 01 Branch. On the first day of his visit, he met with the officials of HWPL, exchanged greetings, watched the video of the 9th Anniversary Peace Summit , and discussed the agenda for the remaining three days of meetings. The most important event during this visit to Korea was the MOU signing ceremony between HWPL Global 01 Branch and Takht Sri Damdama
Sahib, which took place on Sunday, October 8th at the Sollago Hotel in Myeongdong , Seoul . Through this MOU, they aim to closely communicate and collaborate with influential Sikh temples in India to carry out various peace events such as the HWPL peace walks. Sardar Giani Harpreet Singh expressed his anticipation for future activities and his pride in working together with influential leaders in the Sikh community to promote HWPL and peace events. After the signing ceremony, Harpreet Singh presented a gift to Chairman Lee of HWPL. The small statue, made of metal, was created in the shape of the Punjabi script “EK ONKAR,” which means “God is one, and all humanity is one” in English. It is hoped that through this gift symbolizing peace and the signing of the agreement between the two organizations, India can be a land of peace.
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Global 03 Branch
HWPL’s 10th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace and the Peace Walk in Delhi, India
On May 28, 2023, a Peace Walk was held in the ND Tiwari Bhawan Auditorium in Delhi, India to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the HWPL ’ s Declaration of World Peace. The event aimed to spread the spirit of peace to religions, media, and social leaders in Delhi. The news of Peace Walk event was covered by a local newspaper called, ‘The World’s Mirror.’
The participants watched a video about the Peace Walk event held at the Olympic Park in South Korea , where Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL emphasized the importance of peace and said, “We must strive together to create a better world and make peace a legacy for future generations.” The video inspired participants to embrace the spirit of peace. At this event, Sardar Paramjit Singh Chandhok, Chief Advisor of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, delivered a speech, while Sardar Manu Singh , Chairman of Sarva Dharma Samvaad, took the role of presider. Participants had the opportunity to learn about HWPL’s peace initiatives over the past 10 years and the purpose of achieving sustainable peace through the Dec-
laration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) on a global scale. After hearing the explanations, attendees had the chance to join HWPL as members and sign their support for the DPCW. The participants then started the peace walk , chanting slogans of peace and engaging in discussions about peace in India and the world in an atmosphere of harmony.
Sardar Manu Singh, representative of Sarva Dharma Samvaad, expressed delight at the successful completion of the entire event program and left a message encouraging youth participation in peace activities : “ I want to convey a very clear message to the younger generation that you are the future, and the future belongs to you. Therefore , you must step forward for a peaceful and just future based on fairness . Without peace , there is no future. Currently, the world stands on the precipice . If war breaks out , our remaining lives would be filled with hardship. And perhaps humanity will cease to exist on this planet. Therefore , if you desire a future , you must come forward with your strength and talents to support the DPCW and HWPL in building global peace.”
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HWPL Religious Peace Activities
06
MOU Signing Ceremony
1. Delhi Senior Citizen Welfare Association Peace Walk Campaign and MOU Signing Ceremony
On November 3rd , the HWPL Global 03 Branch and the Delhi Senior Citizen Welfare Association in India signed an MOU to collaborate in peace activities in the Delhi region . To celebrate this achievement and promote the spirit of peace, a group of around 100 citizens of Delhi joined association members for a Peace Walk. Starting at 7 AM at the New Delhi Deer Park, the event aimed to raise awareness of HWPL’s peace activities and encourage participation from the citizens of Del-
hi. Participants wearing hats with the HWPL logo held peace pickets and chanted peace slogans as they walked.
In the afternoon, the MOU signing ceremony between HWPL Global 03 Branch and the Delhi Senior Citizen Welfare Association in India took place. The Branch Manager of Global 03 relayed a message stating, “As a Korean War veteran and a Chairman of HWPL , Mr . Lee Man-hee has been
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actively engaged in achieving pragmatic world peace . In order to achieve peace , we must all come together and cooperate.” Members of the welfare association who participated in the Peace Walk in the morning showed a positive outlook on collaborating with HWPL’s peace activities and filled out HWPL membership applications.
Shyam Sundar Rudra, the President of the Delhi Senior Citizen Welfare Association, attended the 9th Anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit and personally experienced the dedication of HWPL volunteers . He stated that he was deeply moved by Chairman Lee ’ s heartfelt presentation on peace and expressed his commitment to collaborate with HWPL. He also expressed his joy and shared his thoughts on
the successful completion of the Peace Walk event and the MOU signing ceremony. He promised to provide continuous and active support for HWPL’s peace activities in the future.
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HWPL Religious Peace Activities
2. Samanvaya Seva Sansthan MOU Ceremony
On November 5th, a MOU signing ceremony between HWPL Global 03 Branch and ‘Samanvaya Seva Sansthan’, a Buddhist organization in India, took place for the collaboration of religious peace activities. The MOU signing ceremony was held in the lobby of the IHG Hotel at Holiday Inn Lucknow Airport, and it was personally welcomed by Mr . Rajesh Chandra , the representative of Samanvaya Seva Sansthan, who prepared the event banners and venue.
While signing the MOU , Mr . Rajesh Chandra promised his participation in HWPL peace activities such as the IRPA (International Religious Peace Academy) with the members of his organization, and to support peace efforts financially by paying the HWPL membership fees. Mr. Chandra also developed a deep understanding of religious peace activities based on various religious scriptures through sincere attendance at WARP Office
and the 1st IRPA.
After the MOU signing , Mr . Chandra personally led the HWPL Global 03 Branch team on a peace tour in Lucknow. They visited the Catholic Diocese of Lucknow, where they had a prayer session for religious peace and the cessation of the Russo-Ukrainian War.
After the prayer session, they visited the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial Park to pay tribute to the spirit of Dr. Ambedkar, who dedicated himself to the revival of modern Buddhism in India and fought for human rights. Mr. Chandra expressed joy over the signing of the MOU with HWPL and strongly supported HWPL’s peace initiatives. He mentioned that HWPL Chairman Lee ’ s peace achievements and efforts should be deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize.
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3. Govardhan Eco Village MOU Ceremony
lage and a Governing Body Commissioner of ISKCON, introduced the temples of Eco Village at the HWPL Inter-continental Religious Peace Camp in 2021 as a representative of the Hinduism. This year, various devotees and monks from Eco Village also participated in the HWPL Peace Walk to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the HWPL World Peace Declaration.
On November 7th, HWPL Global 03 Branch and Govardhan Eco Village in India signed an MOU for collaboration in religious peace activities. Some monks affiliated with Govardhan Eco Village have been consistently attending WARP Office scriptural discussion meetings and in the IRPA, showing great enthusiasm for the scripture-based learning program for religious peace. Gauranga Das, the Director of Govardhan Eco Vil-
The representative of HWPL Global 03 Branch explained to the monks of Govardhan Eco Village about HWPL ’ s peace activities and Chairman Lee’s belief and efforts in achieving world peace. She requested the interest and participation of religious leaders in HWPL’s religious peace program for global religious harmony and peace.
Gauranga Das, a member of the ISKCON Governing Body Commissioner, expressed gratitude for being selected as a Hindu lecturer for the 2nd IRPA and promised continuous support for HWPL’s religious peace activities.
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HWPL Religious Peace Activities
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Global 05 Branch
The Newly Erected HWPL Peace Monument in Hyderabad, India -
A Catalyst for Spreading the Culture of Peace from 15th to 17th January 2023. This HWPL peace monument is the third such monument to be erected in India after the monuments in Noida and Rampur, and it is the 18th HWPL peace monument in the world.
HWPL and IPS International conducted the unveiling ceremony of the peace monument for 3 days with attendees including politicians, educational and religious leaders , journalists , IPS International students , and their parents . The peace monument has the words , “ The Declaration of World Peace” engraved, which was declared by Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL in 2013 calling all heads of state, youth, and every global citizen to work collectively in establishing sustainable peace and for the cessation of war.
Hyderabad is a rich cultural city in Southern India where northern and southern India’s distinct cultural and linguistic traditions meet. However, it has also experienced tragic horrors of religious conflicts and communal riots among the predominantly Hindu and Muslim population resulting in the loss of more than 300 lives.
To alleviate such situations and actively develop a culture of peace in the city , HWPL erected a peace monument in Hyderabad with the cooperation of IPS International, an educational group.
The monument was unveiled during the grand annual event of IPS International at Hari-Hara Kala Bhavan in the presence of 3 , 000 citizens
Ms . Diksha Ranjan , Deputy General Director of WARP Office, New Delhi, India Branch of HWPL, said in her speech that “the HWPL Peace monument is a catalyst for creating a new peace culture in India, and it is an important international symbol showing us the firm conviction of HWPL for bringing sustainable peace in the world.
Through the peace monument unveiling ceremony in Hyderabad , we are inspired to unite our hearts as one . This solidified zeal for a noble cause will lead us to overcome our differences and work together as one to achieve peace and cessation of hostilities and violence.” The HWPL peace monument will be placed in the Tolikchwi branch of IPS International school, and HWPL and IPS International plan to utilize it for peace education for students and as a peace exhibition for citizens in Hyderabad.
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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
Additionally, the HWPL publicity ambassador appointment ceremony took place. HWPL appointed Mr. Syed Illyas Ahmed, the managing director of IPS International, as the HWPL publicity ambassador for furthering peace activities in Hyderabad. In his speech about the changes that HWPL can bring to Hyderabad, Mr. Syed Illyas Ahmed emphasized that “I have never gone through such an organization like HWPL, which leads all global leaders and citizens into one for peace. Their approach and peace-realizing ideas like religious discourse searching for the truth, peace education for future generations, and implementation of international law based on the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War(DPCW) are convincing.” After he received the certificate of appointment as a HWPL publicity ambassador, Mr. Syed Illyas Ahmed gratefully presented an honorary appreciation plaque to Chairman Man Hee Lee on the behalf of IPS International. He expressed his admiring heart for Chairman Man Hee Lee by saying that “ Peace is not something that comes from begging or pleading, but from putting in effort.
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HWPL Religious Peace Activities
Chairman Man Hee Lee , is proving this to the world with his full devotion even at 91 years old. I will do my best to contribute to the realization of the Chairman ’ s vision of leaving peace as the eternal legacy to the future generations.”
IPS international students and religious leaders working with HWPL expressed their congratulations on the endeavors of HWPL and IPS International for spreading a culture of peace in Hyderabad. IPS international students performed a fan dance to HWPL’s original song “Make a World of Peace .” Also , Mr . Ashish Barua , Founder and President of Peace Initiatives Foundation, and Prof. Dr. C.S.R.Prabhu, Chairman of Vishwa Yoga
Vidyapeeth shared their expectation on the future changes of Hyderabad with peace work by HWPL and IPS International in their speeches.
HWPL and IPS International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Peace cooperation in August 2022. The recent event in January 2023 became the very first fruit of labor that both organizations made after the MOU. Furthermore, the implementation of HWPL peace education in the curriculum of IPS International schools are under discussion, and there are religious interfaith harmony programs planned for students, citizens, and religious leaders which will be held continuously on- and offline in the coming year.
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Global 07 Branch
MOU Signing Ceremony with the HWPL Georgia team
On September 21, 2023, in Incheon, South Korea, the HWPL Georgia team signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Myanmar Buddhist Association of Georgia and Islamic Center of Middle Georgia respectively . HWPL and each organization agreed to collaborate to achieve peacebuilding and cessation of war-related activities. HWPL and each organization agreed to provide resources, volunteer support, and active promotion for various peace activities, not only interreligious dialogue but also for the purpose of teaching the value of peace found in scriptures. Venerable Ashin Manijoti of the Myanmar Bud-
dhist Association of Georgia has been attending the HWPL WARP Office since 2021 and participated in the 9th Anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit held in Korea for the first time in 2023 . As a student and teacher of Dharma , he aims to learn about different cultures , beliefs , and practices that contribute to achieving global peace and interreligious understanding. On this day, Venerable Ashin Manijoti expressed his determination to contribute to the cessation of war and conflicts and to lead global peace through interreligious dialogue and peace initiatives in Atlanta, Georgia.
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HWPL Religious Peace Activities
Imam Adam Fofana of Islamic Center of Middle Georgia, USA, is a participant of the WARP Office meetings in Georgia and an advocate of peace . He is dedicated to providing excellent religious service to his local community and has been striving to bring people closer to Allah and assist the people in his community. Although Muslims are the main supporters of Islamic Center of Middle Georgia, their activities go beyond the boundaries of religion. They engage in partnerships with other religious organizations and collaborate extensively, focusing on the belief in the Almighty and all of humanity . Imam Adam has made it his mission to assist the Chairman Lee and HWPL in achieving global peace and
the cessation of all wars , not only in Atlanta , Georgia, but worldwide. His dream is to establish a peace university in Georgia where people can learn about peace.
The HWPL Georgia team aims to conceive and implement various peace projects that seek common ground among religious cultures and beliefs, amidst the confusing and divisive currents of the times . These projects include interfaith events such as the “One United” Religious Peace Camp in 2024, the International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA) , and a platform for dialogue among religious leaders. Through these efforts, they are passionately committed to achieving a culture of peace in the local community.
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09
Global 09 Branch
Mongolia Religious Forum: Solidarity of Religious Leaders
On June 20th , the Mongolia Religious Forum , jointly organized by HWPL and Sain Nomuun Monastery, was held at the Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, under the theme of “Peaceful Solidarity of Mongolian Religious Leaders.”
The forum was attended by approximately 400 religious leaders, including Tep Vong, the Great Supreme Patriarch of Supreme Patriarch’s Cabinet of Cambodia, who sent a congratulatory letter, Nergui Sainbuyan from Sain Nomuun Monastery , Suhkbat Shagdarsuren , Chairman of the Centre of Mongolian Shamanism, Bavuu Bayarsaikhan , Veda Culture Researcher of Krishna Mandir Hindu Temple, and B. Ochir, President of
the Eternal Heaven United Committee.
Mongolia is a country where religious freedom is guaranteed , with over 50 % of the population practicing Buddhism. It is composed of various religions such as Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and the Bahá’í Faith. Additionally, one of the core goals of Mongolia’s long-term development policy, Vision 2050, is ‘achieving a unified national identity.’ And it includes achieving a high level of social consciousness through research on religious values.
Through this event , HWPL and Sain Nomuun Monastery have planned to pursue two goals : firstly, promoting reconciliation and understand-
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(Photo: Religious leaders filling out the IRPA participation application form)
ing among religions in the dimension of peaceful values, and secondly, aiming to enhance the level of social consciousness among the people and cultivate a sense of peace as a national value.
Venerable Nergui Sainbuyan, the Head Monk of Sain Nomuun Monastery, expressed his thoughts through a welcoming speech, stating, “Mongolia has historically been a country that recognizes religious diversity and traditions, and harmoniously communicates with one another. I am delighted to co-host this forum with HWPL, which carries on our proud cultural heritage and conducts religious peace activities.”
Bavuu Bayarsaikhan, a Veda Culture Researcher at the Krishna Mandir Hindu Temple, who is participating in the HWPL WARP Office in Mongolia, said, “I have a great interest in dialogues based on scriptures. When considering the fundamental scriptures of different religions, there are actually no significant differences between religions.” Sukhbat Shagdarjav, the Chairman of the Nomad & Shaman Culture Research Center, who is a nomad, ethnic religion researcher and a scientist,
stated , “ In Mongolia , many religions coexist . Therefore, there is religious tolerance, and everyone has the right to worship their own religion.”
Batiirbek, the Chairman of the Muslim Religious Union of Mongolia, expressed his impressions of attending the event, saying, “Mutual understanding between religions and actions for it are necessary and it’s a very timely event.”
Seon-a Shin , the Regional Manager of HWPL Global 09 Branch, stated through her closing remarks that “Now is the time for the restoration and re-dissemination of Mongolia ’ s national identity, which is based on religious respect and tolerance pursued by Genghis Khan, through the religious leaders present here. I hope for peace among religions in Mongolia.”
Afterwards , the HWPL International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA) was introduced , which aims to foster learning about sacred scriptures of various religions and promote mutual understanding and peace among religions. A total of 251 religious leaders identified strongly with the purpose of the IRPA and applied for enrollment.
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MOU Signing Ceremony in Berlin & Ulanbaatar
In November 2023 , HWPL Global 09 Branch signed MOUs in Berlin , Germany , and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The Korean team of Global 09 Branch visited the Siva Alayam Temple in Munich, led by President Sarma Aryasomayajula. The Munich Siva Alayam Temple, established in October 2020, collaborates with the Indian community to help maintain the Hindu faith of Indians residing in Germany.
President Sarma Aryasomayajula has been attending HWPL WARP Office scriptural discussion
meetings in Berlin since 2022. As a religious leader, he has supported HWPL’s activities in promoting dialogue among religions and achieving peace by addressing the root causes of interreligious conflicts. He emphasized the importance of promoting religious tolerance through education and setting an example of peaceful behavior to resolve interreligious conflicts and achieve peace . He expressed his expectations for the MOU, stating that there would be more opportunities for groundbreaking initiatives when conducting peace projects with HWPL.
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HWPL Religious Peace Activities
According to the provisions of the MOU stating that ‘ they actively contribute to interreligious communication and peace policy activities,’ they have plans to create an HWPL promotional booth at the Munich Siva Alayam Temple in 2024. Also, they will showcase promotional videos and operate a membership registration booth. The Mongolian team of the Global 9th Branch also entered into an MOU with the ‘Palace of Traditional Rituals of the Mongolian Nation .’ The Palace of Traditional Rituals of the Mongolian Nation is a place where believers pray in the Mongolian language , as they believe that linguistic knowledge is necessary for a deeper understanding of prayers in Buddhism, rather than in the Ti-
betan language.
The Chairman of the board, Mr. Sukhbat Purevjav, expressed his pleasure at working together with HWPL on peace activities, stating, “As a religious person, engaging in peace initiatives is essential.”
Through this MOU, it is anticipated that there will be more promotion of HWPL and its peace activities to various organizations in Mongolia. In particular, it is hoped that the collaboration between the Palace of Traditional Rituals of the Mongolian Nation and HWPL will shed a peaceful light on the Ulaanbaatar region through various volunteer activities.
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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
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Global 12 Branch
2023 End-of-Year HWPL Event in San Francisco
On December 17 , 2023 , an End-of-Year event wishing for harmony and peace among various religions was held in San Francisco , USA . The event was divided into two parts to review the results of WARP Office activities over the past year. There was also a round-table discussion to share the participants ’ impressions of attending the IRPA (International Religious Peace Academy), which started in July 2023, and their expectations for the future IRPA.
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HWPL Religious Peace Activities
Mr. Joey Percival, the Director of Public Affairs of the Church of Scientology of San Jose, who was on the panel, explained the purposes of the interfaith dialogues, stating, “Through dialogue, we can identify our similarities and differences, and we believe that the differences we have are very small or not significant. We see this as a way to find common ground in our scriptures and to sympathize with each other, allowing us to get
along well.”
Mr. Wayne Hankins, the Director of the Bay Area Family Church, also expressed his impression of the event, saying, “We are living in a special era. I believe that in this era, God is recreating this generation . I was impressed by the fact that many young people are striving to move God.”
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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
Once again, HWPL Headquarters would like to express deep gratitude to everyone who dedicated themselves to peace among religions over the past year. Through various online and offline activities, including the signing of MOUs globally, we were able to strengthen our resolve to the path to peace. Notably, we witnessed religious leaders, ordinary believers and members, and young religious leaders deeply understanding the importance of peace and putting it into practice. With these valuable experiences, we pledge to continue walking together on thise journey of peace in the new year. We sincerely thank you for your hard work and dedication, and we promise to continue building a more concrete future of peace with constant cooperation and dedication with all of you, the peace family of HWPL. A new year has begun. We wish for peace and prosperity to be with you and your family. In the new year, we hope to carry out various peace activities to pass on the legacy of eternal peace to future generations. Once again, we wish you happiness and peace in the new year of 2024. HWPL WARP Office Headquarters
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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
If you would like to have more information or have any inquiries regarding the HWPL WARP Offices, please contact us at warp_office_hq@hwpl.kr