“Paint the Peace,” The peace that future leaders of the peace generation paint
On 28th June 2022, in Nagpur, India, there was an MOU signing ceremony and religious peace camp with HWPL and ‘Jeevak Yoga Treatment and Vocational Training Institute’. On this day, more than 300 youths participated in the Peace Drawing Contest and Peace Play Contest, titled “Paint the Peace”. Also, a “peace tree” was planted to announce the opening of a peace park which will become the center of peace activities in Nagpur.
Dr. Beniram Koche, the president of Jeevak Yoga Treatment and Vocational Training Institute said, “Through the peace activities with youth, we were able to have a positive impact on them. They will start to think about peace, humanity and themselves through this opportunity.”
Also, on 2nd August 2022, in Hyderabad, India, IPS International Group of Schools held a Peace Drawing contest with the theme of ‘Religious Harmony and Peace’ attended by roughly 150 students. The event titled “Raise the Wind of Peace,” was aimed at raising awareness among the youth about the importance of realizing peace and served to strengthen their sense of responsibility and determination as future generations that will achieve peace.
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President Syed Iliyas Ahmed, who has been working actively with HWPL for two years as an Islamic panelist at the WARP Office meeting in India, said, “The youth shared how the world is facing war and death and how peace can be achieved through HWPL. Chairman Man-hee Lee of HWPL is our ideal, and we all must help him achieve sustainable world peace.”
HWPL’s Daegu-Gyeongbuk branch, which has promoted various peace activities in India, plans to conduct more projects in new areas such as, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune in addition to Delhi, Rampur, Hyderabad and Tiruvannamalai, where peace activities began in 2022 in order to promote the value of DPCW. We believe that all eyes are on the steps taken by religious leaders who have become one for peace, reflecting HWPL’s peace slogan: “We are one.”
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Sharing Religious Culture: Buddhism
HWPL’s Northern Seoul Branch held the 4th Online Sharing Religious Culture (SRC) event on December 16, 2022. The event aimed to enhance understanding of Buddhist religious culture, which is practiced by over 400 million people worldwide. Buddhist leaders from France, Malaysia, and the United States shared about their religion, festivals, and cultures. The event was held in French and English and was attended by audiences from Europe, the United States, and Southeast Asia.
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The first speaker, Teacher Kelsang Kyabchog, from the Mahayana Kadampa tradition, explained the general practice of Kadampa festivals and what monks and laypeople do, wear, and eat during various Buddhist holidays. He explained the purpose of festivals as “bringing together people who wish to do so around a theme that will be explained through the teachings of Buddha” and that anyone regardless of their religion or background can join in throughout the year.
The second speaker, Teacher Vincet CAO from the Mahayana tradition, explained Vesak, the festival that celebrates the birth of Buddha. He emphasized the historic and spiritual significance of Vesak and how it is still practiced and remembered by all Buddhists worldwide. They celebrate the physical birth of Buddha, as well as the time he received enlightenment. Activities during Vesak are based around understanding, meditating and putting the teachings of Buddhism into practice in everyday life. He also highlighted the messages of peace, nonviolence, love and compassion that Buddhism teaches.
Monk Thukpo from Atlanta, Georgia, USA, was not able to attend but sent a message about Parinirvana Day. This day celebrates not when Buddha died but when he was released from the karma and the cycle of suffering. By achieving enlightenment, other Buddhists can also exit the cycle.
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Bhante Dahamma Loka from Alabama Buddhist Vihara shared about the Kathina Festival, a robe-offering Ceremony that lasts for 3 months during summer and fall. During this time, participants focus on generosity by sharing many things, including robes and food. At the end of the ceremony, a special robe is made, and the Sanga (Buddhist community) and the monks decide who will receive the special robe. He explained that there are spiritual benefits of attaining the robe. He also shared pictures from the monastery showing certain acts that are done throughout this 2,500-year-old tradition.
After all the speeches, breakout rooms were opened so that the youth and audience could interact more closely with each religious leader and ask questions. The breakout rooms were full of laughter and insight from the Buddhist leaders and youth from various countries. “The time seemed to fly by, and I wished we had more time,” said a participant from Europe, when referring to the breakout room session with Teacher Vao. Another audience, from the U.S. said “the event raised a lot of curiosity in me and speaking with Bhante Loka made me want to learn more. I hope there are more events like this in the future.” Teacher Vao mentioned after the event that, “I am very glad to have participated, I hope I was able to shed some light on these traditions. I will be happy to participate if other opportunities arise, trying to answer as accurately as possible”
We would like to convey our appreciation to all the Buddhist leaders and audience that made this event successful and inspiring. The Sharing Religious Culture events will continue into the new year, as we hope to have many more events to understand one another despite differences in practices and/or beliefs. Through mutual respect and understanding, we can see that all religions ultimately share the same goal of peace.
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Religious Peace Network 2022: Pakistan & Albania
On December 17, 2022, the “Religious Peace Network 2022” event was held in Pakistan and Albania. On this day, not only citizens of Albania and Pakistan but also religious leaders from various countries attending the HWPL WARP Office participated in the two events.
The “Religious Peace Network” is an attempt to establish a common front for the harmony and peace of religious leaders around the world. At this Religious Peace Network seminar, the state of religious peace in Pakistan and Albania was examined. Religious conflicts were discussed to find solutions together, and positive cases were shared and learned.
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Religious Peace Network 2022 Albania
The Balkans, where Albania is located, have a long history of conflicts due to the diversity of ethnicities, cultures, and religions. Despite this, Albania has managed to maintain interreligious peace. The “Religious Peace Network” event brought together high-level Albanian religious figures to share their strategies for maintaining peace.
The series of talks in the event was led by Dr. Genti Kruja, Secretary General of the Interreligious Council of Albania, Mr. Luigi Mila, head of the Justice and Peace Commissions of Europe, and Mr. Arben Sulejmani, a representative for the Bektashi Community in North Macedonia. In attendance were 75 participants from various countries such as Albania, Croatia, Portugal, the United States, and Korea.
Dr. Kruja highlighted the importance of preserving Albania’s centuries-old tradition of religious tolerance, stating that “Albania has been making peaceful atmosphere between the five official religions since the 1800s”, and that the centuries-old Albanian religious tolerance must be preserved and maintained within people’s awareness in the future. He also provided examples of how the coexistence of five religions (Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, Sunni Islam, and Bektash Islam) in Albania has created a culture of peace. Particularly of how a Muslim Imam led the rebuilding of the Great Catholic Cathedral, and that during the Nazi occupation, all religious groups helped the Jews and as a result, Albania was the only country with an increase in Jewish population from before World War II.
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Mr. Mila identified strongly with HWPL’s efforts in promoting inter-religious dialogue, stating “Strengthening relations (between religions) should be done naturally through contribution, cooperation, and mutual respect.”
Albania’s unique religious and ethnic makeup, with a high proportion of ethnic Albanians and Muslims, means that it may not be directly comparable to other Balkan countries. However, the culture of inter-religious tolerance and dialogue is not limited to certain conditions and has universal value. This sentiment was shared by all participants at the event.
In 2023, religious peace network events will be held in other Balkan countries. The speakers promised to actively cooperate in promoting a culture of religious peace in the Balkans. The hope is that the Religious Peace Network events will continue in 2023 and bring real, sustainable peace to the Balkans and Indo-Pakistan regions.
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HWPL World Interfaith Joint Prayer Conference: for Peace in Russia & Ukraine
On November 5th, 2022, the “HWPL World Interfaith Joint Prayer Conference: Prayer Conference for Peace in Russia & Ukraine” was held online over two sessions at 6 AM and 1 PM (UTC). 493 people of religion from around the world, including 185 religious leaders, graced the event with their presence.
While the world bears witness to yet another terrible war due to the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, HWPL has consistently held relay prayer meetings for peace since April 2022 to console the victims of war, to urge for the end of wars, and for peaceful coexistence.
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Participants were first shown an opening video which captured the horrors of war and the pain of the victims in Russia and Ukraine. In the video, HWPL Chairman, Mr. Man-hee Lee, gave a message of peace to remind all of us why wars must be stopped and of our roles as citizens of the world, saying, “What we are responsible for, and what we must do in this era, is peace. We must ensure that countless young people are not killed again. If you don’t have power (or strength), let’s ask the heavens or borrow the power of the heavens for help.”
In particular, Russian religious leaders and Ukrainian religious leaders attended the prayer conference and gave speeches to urge for the end of wars and for peace, and in so doing, reminded us of what the role of religious leaders should be in times of war.
A *Russian Christian religious leader, who attended the prayer meeting despite the risks to his well-being, spoke out against the injustices of the war based on his faith and conscience as a person of religion. In his speech, he called for an end to the war and shared that: “I call out my voice for peace and reconciliation between Russia and Ukraine at this time. Citizens of both countries must speak out that this military war should be stopped. God wants us to live in peace.”
(*Personal information of the speaker is withheld due to security concerns.)
This was followed by a speech by a Ukrainian religious leader, Vraja Hari Prabhu, Vice President of ISKCON in Ukraine and Moldova. Vraja Hari Prabhu stressed that we should not be wasting our lives in war and strife but remember that we are all brothers and sisters in this global community. In his speech, he said: “This is in direct violation of the dharma or religion that we see now in this war. And the saddest thing is that in the interval between life and death, we fight for what we did not bring with us and for what we will not take with us. Therefore, we should not waste time on wars and quarrels. We should serve the Lord and remember that we are all brothers and sisters.”
After the speeches, leaders of various denominations came out to console the victims for their sacrifices caused by the war, emphasizing that war and conflict were never God’s will, and wishing for a world of peace to come as soon as possible. Based on the universal message of peace and love in the sacred religious texts, the religious leaders emphasized that conflict
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and discord originate from the greed and desires of Man. It is the rightful duty of Man to repent and turn back to living in harmony and peace with each other, as taught by the Creator.
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HWPL Intercontinental United Peace Prayer Gathering 2022: Peace, One Hope Transcending Continents!
In April 2022, HWPL Jeonbuk branch hosted an interfaith prayer meeting with people of religion from different continents for peace, with the title of “HWPL Intercontinental United Peace Prayer Gathering 2022: Peace, One Hope Transcending Continents!”
The event was attended by 13 religious leaders of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism, and approximately 80 of their followers and members. Participants hailed from their respective continents of North America, Asia and Africa, or namely, the United States of America, Cambodia, Kenya and Uganda to support the cessation of war and world peace.
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Through the prayer meeting, participants gathered their voices to pray for all to overcome the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts between nations, and to restore peace to our everyday lives. Moreover, it was truly wonderful to witness the different cultures of prayers from each religion and to be inspired by each other, as the religious leaders led prayers for the same objective of world peace.
Venerable Dr. Ashin Acara, the President and Abbot of Aung Mangalar Buddhist Temple in California, emphasized that the value which every religion pursues is peace and love. He shared with all participants that “achieving peace is not on a personal level, but (it is) everyone’s job. Especially, we all know that religious conflict is a large part of war, and any armed action is very improper and wrong. The purpose of every religion we believe in, and follow is very good and is for peace. Every religious person should respect and recognize the value of each other’s religions and make harmony. By doing so, we should eliminate any kinds of violence and conflict caused by religion, at least. I think that is the true spirit of religion.”
Venerable Loeurm Lorm, the Monk of Damnak Temple in Cambodia, shared his impression that he would “like to encourage religious leaders to convey messages of peace positively to their congregation and many people. Internal peace makes peaceful person, peaceful person makes peaceful family, peaceful family makes peaceful society, and peaceful society can make peaceful country and a peaceful world.”
Imam Salim M. Charo, the Board Member of Agents of Peace Nairobi, reminded us of the meaning of the prayer gathering by sharing “it is truly delightful to see people who are of different faiths gathering and praying under one purpose: cessation of war and world peace. The purpose that God created this world is for us to live peacefully on this land. I believe every religion share one same message which is ‘peace’, and I was able to see that for myself through today’s gathering.”
This prayer gathering provided an opportunity to exchange wishes and prayers as well as sharing the rich, diverse cultures of different religions through the participants, especially, the religious leaders, who have been working closely with HWPL.
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We believe that the mission of every religious person in these times, is to leave peace as a permanent legacy for the future generations, and to unite as one, transcending borders, religions, and doctrines. We sincerely pray that their prayers and wishes would reach every corner of the earth, and that more religious people gather to support sustainable peace and the alliance of religions.
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HWPL Southern Africa Religious Youth Peace Camp: Religious Identity
On October 30, 2022, an online religious youth peace camp was held in South Africa. The camp was centered around the theme of “Religious Identity” and provided an opportunity for religious dialogue between religious leaders and youths.
A total of 58 participants, including seven religious leaders from seven countries in Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, and Namibia) participated in the online event. The camp aimed to promote inter-religious understanding based on Article 8 “Religious Freedom” and Article 9 “Religion, National Identity, and Peace” of the DPCW to enhance access to religious peace activities.
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The camp began with a keynote speech by Mr. Nyasha Freeman Musikambesa, the Director of the Mozambique Youth Development Center. He emphasized the importance of young people taking initiative to bring peace within their communities and developing vital skills for interfaith dialogues. He stated, “As an individual we are tasked to bring peace within our community other than being asked to do so. It is within my believe that I should be a part of a generation of young people who create a sit at the table rather than being invited to the table. S therefore I hope you will find this event as a critical element in in fostering critical thinking of inclusion and development of vital skills that are necessary in your respective journey of interfaith dialogues within your own spaces.”
Afterwards, the participants had the opportunity to recognize that we all had certain preconceptions due to a lack of understanding of different religions through activities that were designed to raise interest in and foster understanding of each other’s religions.
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In the subsequent “Guess the Religion” game, certain sayings or phrases taken from religious texts were shown on screen, and participants had to guess which religion the phrase came from. Through this activity, participants were able to understand that all religions had the same values for peace.
Additionally, during the discussions, participants were divided into several small groups to discuss the case of religious disputes in Mindanao, the Philippines. The groups reviewed the issue together to discuss possible solutions to the conflicts. Participants actively engaged in discussion and suggested various solutions and how they may be implemented for the African region. Participants also took the time to share what they felt and learnt through the camp. One commented that, “It was a good opportunity to learn and interact with each other.”
Mr. Musikambesa, also commented that the event was very informative. He encouraged young people to participate in the religious peace camps, saying that inter-religious understanding is the beginning of wisdom, by saying: “the Scriptures are the beginning of wisdom in our aspect, I would urge them (the youths) that, the knowledge and participation in interfaith dialogue is the beginning of wisdom. As all the spheres of our lives and socio-political inclinations are currently being influenced by religious and social preferences. Hence the need to create a tolerant generation is the beginning of community cohesion and progress in our respective societies.”
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The event focused on inter-religious understanding, and to provide opportunities to communicate beyond religious and generational differences through various activities and discussions. It was meaningful that it provided an opportunity for peaceful exchanges between different religions, especially at a time when such opportunities are limited. It is also worth noting that many youths actively participated in the event. Youths, who are the future leaders, experienced for themselves how religious groups can come together to build a culture of peace in the community. Just as small dews gather to form a large sea, we hope that the insights that each person has gained through this event will be able to form a greater impact for peace.
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The 1st HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp in Zambia ReligiONE: Breaking Boundaries
On September 22, 2022, the first Zambian Religious Peace Camp, hosted by HWPL, was held at the Taqwa Islamic Center Trust located in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia under the theme of “Religione: Breaking Boundaries.” Religious leaders and youth organization members gathered in one place to resolve conflicts through religious and cultural exchanges.
Around 140 people, including 7 leaders from Islam, Catholicism, and Hinduism who support religious peace, attended the camp, and experienced and learned the scriptures and culture of Islam.
The camp started with the greetings of each religious leader,
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then people were split into groups regardless of their religion. Then there were ice breaking and peace-related recreational activities, an introduction to Islamic religion, and a mosque tour. The participants were able to personally experience the Islamic religion and culture. There was also a program to broaden the understanding of religions, such as learning the history of world religions and finding solutions to the root causes of religious conflicts.
Swami Guneshananda, the Spiritual Director of Ramakrishna Vedanta Center in Lusaka, said in an interview, “Each and every religion is talking about peace, love, and cooperation. People in the world are fighting about the small things, as well as geographical and economical gain. Let us love each other, and to do that, we must become one. WE ARE ONE.”
Another participant, Father Benjamin Itungabose, a Priest at Good Shepherd Kabawata Parish Church, shared, “For me, the most wonderful moment was when I met with my colleagues at the online WARP Office meeting. Also, what is more important is the warm welcome we received in this amazing mosque. Communication between the religious leaders was good, especially the host who taught us about Islam shared many things, including what Islam is. Spiritually, it is like a religion because we all teach peace, mercy, love and harmony.”
Christian Nation Radio reporter Betty Kakoma said, “Today, I was very happy to see religious leaders and believers gathered to talk about peace and how to work together as one humanity. I learned that together, we can have a stronger voice. I learned a lot from other religions. These are some of the things that I can collaborate with HWPL as a journalist.”
Most religious scriptures all contain the values of peace, justice, human dignity, respect, and harmony. The Religious Peace Camp was more meaningful in that religious people can achieve harmony between religions by focusing on and understanding the values contained in different scriptures.
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The Zambian Religious Peace Camp was hosted to promote the importance of religious harmony emphasized by HWPL to end the ongoing religious conflicts, eradicate discrimination and persecution by resolving misunderstandings and conflicts arising from ignorance between religions, and spread the culture of peace based on a correct understanding of each religion and ideology. Aside from the Religious peace Camp, the HWPL WARP Office Meetings, a scriptural comparison discussion to achieve religious peace, have been hosted once a month in Zambia since 2015.
HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camps has been held for more than 48 times in 24 countries. It is especially meaningful to host the first ever peace camp in Zambia. This was followed almost immediately with the second Zambian Religious Peace Camp on November 27, 2022, to further the original purpose of promoting understanding and peace between religions.
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Great Religious Figures of the World
A forum was held where 13 religious leaders from eight religions and six countries came together to introduce religious figures of peace in history.
As society faces increased political, economic, and educational polarization, there is a greater need for information exchange and communication. The religious community can play an important role in reducing this social divide. HWPL aims to bridge this gap through its interfaith dialogues, known as WARP Offices. Over the past 8 years, we have held a total of 18,840 meetings worldwide.
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An online event was organized by the Busan-Gyeongnam Western branch of HWPL, on December 17, 2022, with 114 attendees. The theme of the event was “The Great Religious Figures of Asia who wrote the History of Peace.” The purpose of the event was to highlight the role of religion and the mission of religious figures in promoting peace. The event featured examples of how religious individuals have used their religious perspectives to address social issues.
The event began with the screening of a documentary film called “The Great Legacy,” which showcased the accomplishments of HWPL in resolving the conflict in Mindanao, Philippines. 13 religious leaders from 8 different religions and 6 countries (Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and ISKCON) from Bangladesh, Sao Tome and Principe, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, India, and South Korea, then gave speeches.
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Bhupinder Singh, the Manager of Delhi Sikh Temple Management Committee, shared the story of Guru Teg Bahadur, a religious leader who stood up against forced conversions, even in the face of execution by Indian emperor Aurangzeb. He upheld the principle of freedom of religion and humanity: “Everyone is God-created and should be free to worship in whatever way they want.”
Dr. Meher Master-Moos from Zoroaster University introduced the blueprint for peace brought by Shah Behram Varzavand Saheb, a prophetic figure of Zoroastrianism. She emphasized that peace can be achieved when people in all countries change their mindsets and align with natural laws.
The Chairman of the Chishti Foundation, Haji Syed Salman Chishti, shared the message of Unmanned Aldin Chishti, an 11th-century Muslim scholar and philosopher, that all humans should love each other without discrimination, like nature. He said, “To be close to the Creator, you must serve the Creator. The flowing river does not ask for names, religions, nationalities, or languages, nor does it ask who brings water.”
The event highlighted the importance of respect between religions and peaceful relations, particularly in a world where religious conflicts are prevalent.
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A step forward in the quest for truth: Religious Peace Academy 09
On August 13, 2022, the Religious Peace Academy (RPA) 2 was successfully completed in the Philippines after a 5-month process. Through this, Youth Religious Peace Camp was held and attended by various religious leaders and about 100 university students. Moreover, the Imam Council of the Philippines and HWPL Philippines signed an MOU to solidify cooperation.
Religious Peace Academy is an in-depth religious scripture discussion program created with HWPL by three religious leaders who have been discussing and comparing scriptures with each other through the HWPL WARP Office in the Philippines. It was confirmed that Prabhu Mahendra Das of Hinduism, Ali Imran
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Al-Raschid Arsad of Islam, and Harold Recio of Christianity were deeply interested in each other’s religions and had an inquisitive mind to share the deep meaning of the scriptures more deeply. They did not have enough time to understand the deep meaning of their respective scriptures through presentations by WARP Office, so they wanted to a lot more time to conduct in-depth lectures.
Finally, in June 2021, the first Religious Peace Academy began amid the corona pandemic. Each scripture consisted of a 40-minute presentation and 20-minute Q&A, providing a place to learn about each scripture in depth, just like a school lecture. The lecturers consisted of a Hindu temple priest (Prabhu Mahendra Das), a Muslim Imam (Ali Imran Al-Raschid Arsad), and a Christian instructor (Harold Recio). Students included 5 to 10 Muslims, 14 pastors, and 11 Hindu leaders. The Lecturers did not stop at this but met one more weekday to have indepth discussions on the contents covered in the academy program.
Based on the success of the RPA 1, an MOU was conducted between Hindu and Christian organizations, and the RPA 2 was launched in March 2022.
The RPA 2 was held for 5 months from March 12 to August 13, 2022, and about 100 Philippines college student interns, in addition to the audience of the RPA 1, attended as students, increasing the participation of the public. There was also a change in the way the lecture was conducted. In RPA 1, each religious leader answered the same topic and the same question, but in RPA 2, 20 core topics were selected for each scripture and proceeded according to the
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curriculum to provide a more systematic understanding of each religion.
Based on this public participation, the Youth Religious Peace Camp was held on June 2122, led by youth interns who participated in the 2nd RPA, to provide young people with an opportunity to resolve misunderstandings and prejudices about religion and advance to true understanding. Also, on May 22, an MOU was held between HWPL and the Imam Council of the Philippines, so active participation of Islam and peace activities could be expected.
The Religious Peace Academy in the Philippines will be a meaningful starting point to truly understand each other by breaking down the walls of misunderstanding and prejudice between religions through in-depth discussions, increase public access to religion, and find true truth that transcends religion. HWPL Philippines is planning to carry out the 3rd RPA in 2023, and at this time, it is expected to show a more developed and popularized program.
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If you would like to have more information or have any inquiries regarding the HWPL WARP Offices, please contact us at religion_hq@hwpl.kr
