Pyeong Hwa Gyeong: Episode 58
Pyeong Hwa Gyeong: A Selection of True Parents’ Speeches
Book 2: God’s Homeland and the Peace Kingdom
Speech 2: The Foundation of the Future World, pg 209-210
Practicing the teaching that the world is one family
Ladies and gentlemen, all the activities I founded around the world are models of movements that transcend national barriers, work to tear down the walls between races, and are interreligious in nature and global in scale. Unificationists around the world carry with them a new worldview that is the result of a revolution of consciousness, with God’s true love at its center. They are already living as one human family.
The only place in the United States where there is no racial friction or barriers among races is the Unification Church. Here, blacks and whites rise above their historical hatreds and struggles. Missionaries from Japan, the United States, and Germany went to their mission countries without knowing anything about their partners. Once in those countries, they dedicated themselves together for their mission work.
As you know, we have been investing our financial resources generously to convene annual conferences that foster unity within and between the major religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. Eminent leaders of various religions have commended me highly for these efforts.
Also, we can point to situations such as that of a Korean man in a farm village who received, through the international Blessing ceremony, a Japanese bride who had graduated from a famous university in her country. His entire village held a feast to congratulate him.
Every gathering sponsored by the Unification Church, wherever and whenever it is held, is devoid of racial conflict or prejudice. The church members, regardless of which part of the world they are from, have undergone a transformation of character by following the philosophy I teach.
They no longer live in a self-centered manner. Rather, now they live for the sake of others. They are exemplars of citizenship in the ideal world.
On a quantitative basis, the Unification movement is less than adequate. Nonetheless, what we have accomplished until today has profound significance in the history of the universe. Have not the teachings of many saints and sages in history sought to achieve such results? Are not many people of good conscience in today’s world trying to find guideposts that will enable them to lead lives of goodness? How many young people today are wandering in search of new possibilities and dreaming of a brighter future for the world? And how many young people like that have become discouraged in their search and have broken down in frustration?
I invite everyone to come and see for yourselves. Come and observe without prejudice. Examine for yourselves this foundation that is motivated not by human concerns, but is built with the intimate presence of Heaven’s Will. Design for yourselves a brighter tomorrow. Build for yourselves a wholesome system of values.
Observe the members of the Unification Church around the world. See how all of them, young and old, are filled with joy even as they each navigate their courses with total dedication. See how, in particular, the young people of the church maintain the highest ethical and moral standards even in the midst of a corrupt society, taking pride in what they do. I see the young people of the Unification Church as representing the hope of humanity and the hope of God.
I will follow the path of service all of my life
Let us think for a moment from a viewpoint that goes beyond narrow sectarian and religious interests. If the Korean people could undergo a transformation of character according to the philosophy I advocate and begin to live their lives dedicated to others, how would that affect the future of the nation? Would the unification of North and South Korea be a difficult task under such circumstances? And if all people of the world could accept this philosophy, would that not guarantee a peaceful and prosperous world? My philosophy of living for the greater purpose is not meant to bring about the development of the Unification Church for its own sake. God and the world do not exist for the sake of the church. It is the church that must live in service to God and the world. Even now, I continue to seek the way of service, and I intend to dedicate my entire life to this path.
Thank you again for your congratulations. I hope that today’s occasion will be much more than a celebration of my seventieth birthday. I hope it will be an opportunity for you to learn of the universal path of righteousness that requires us all to live for others. I pray that God’s blessing will be upon your work and your families.
Thank you very much.
FFWPU, USA