Pyeong Hwa Gyeong: Episode 01
Pyeong Hwa Gyeong: A Selection of True Parents’ Speeches
Preface, pg 3-4
Pyeong Hwa Gyeong is a collection of public speeches given by the Reverend Sun Myung Moon and his wife, Hak Ja Han Moon, on themes related to peace (pyeonghwa). They are a testimony to God’s plan for humankind. Reverend and Mrs. Moon teach that the strongest human desire is for love. When we pursue love selflessly, peace emerges. When we pursue it selfishly, conflict erupts. Both selfish and selfless motives war within each person, and so too has our history been one of war. The mission of religion is to inculcate selfless love and bring an end to such conflict. Yet we often turn even religion into a new arena of the same conflicted behavior.
Rev. and Mrs. Moon were called by God to become the True Parents of all humankind. As do all good parents, they teach how to overcome selfish desires and serve a higher purpose. Their model of a true family is one in which husband, wife, and children are in love with God and with each other; a family that is a school of love and a foundation for a peaceful way of life. Such families unleash a quiet revolution from selfishness to unselfishness that reaches to the neighborhood and the community. Yet, the blessing of peace within families must expand to the society, nation, and world. Leading by example, Rev. and Mrs. Moon have expanded the gospel of selfless love, of living for the sake of others, into all fields of human endeavor.
To give testimony to this, a team guided by Rev. Young Whi Kim was commissioned to select speeches that together represent the depth, breadth, and scale of True Parents’ work under God’s providence. Some of these were given at assemblies for religious leaders or at conferences for scholars, scientists, diplomats, politicians, or media professionals. Some were addressed to the leaders of women’s organizations or to young people at sporting events. Some, such as the public rallies of the 1970s or the Marriage Blessings for thousands of couples in later years, were delivered in front of huge crowds in plazas or in stadiums; others were given in more intimate settings, including Rev. and Mrs. Moon’s own home. The selection also reflects Rev. and Mrs. Moon’s willingness to travel on exhausting schedules to personally bring their message to people of every land and culture.
In presenting principles for the resolution of conflict on all levels, whether within ourselves or between nations, True Parents’ words challenge leaders to look beyond their disciplinary, religious, and national boxes and to view the world as one family under God. They clarify for all of us God’s original ideal for creating, the tragedy of the human Fall, the suffering but victorious path of Jesus, and the advent of True Parents. Thus, they illuminate the path ahead and provide a roadmap for the building of God’s kingdom on earth.
While the majority of the 178 speeches in Pyeong Hwa Gyeong were given by True Father, a significant number were given by True Mother. Some were given on their behalf by their children or grandchildren. Many appear in English for the first time, or have been retranslated from the original Korean text, or have had missing parts restored.
Sincere appreciation is due to the translators and editors who worked to prepare this English edition. Their work included verifying titles, venues, and organizations and comparing the English and Korean texts, which often diverged. Thanks go to those who discovered missing English texts of speeches in a computer, in a forgotten archive, or tucked away in a drawer at home. Although all who were involved felt inadequately qualified for the task, the team’s spirit to take ownership of the process bodes well for the future of the work to render scriptural works into the world’s languages.
We are grateful to God and True Parents for taking the burden of the historical providence on their own shoulders and pray that this book may ignite many a heart to follow their path. May the blessings of God be abundantly with all readers of Pyeong Hwa Gyeong.
Family Federation for World Peace and Unification
FFWPU, USA