HWPL Religious Peace Camp held at Daeyaksa Temple

 

On February 24th, 2024 the ‘Daeyaksa Temple HWPL Religious Peace Camp’ was held – jointly hosted by the HWPL Global 10 branch and Daeyaksa Temple – at the Yeorae Order of Korean Buddhism. Dae Yaksa Temple is located in Okcheon, South Korea. About 45 leaders attended this religious peace camp, to include religious leaders from various religious denominations in Korea such as Buddhism, Islam, Jeungsando, and Gungeuldaedo, as well as overseas religious leaders from Hinduism (India) and Islam (Pakistan).

HWPL held a religious peace camp to find causes, and answers, beyond religion and ideology to resolve wars and conflicts around the world. Additionally, attendees experienced Buddhist culture and had time to consider the value of coexistence between different religions through continued interest, understanding, and respect for other religions.

 

 

The event began with a greeting from Ven. Myeong An, Abbot of Daeyaksa Temple. Ven. Myeong-An is actively participating in, and supporting, HWPL’s various peace activities, and last year opened a WARP office at Daeyaksa Temple. Ven. Myeong-An said, “Ven. Inwang, Changjong-ju of the Yeorae Order, and Mr. Man-hee Lee the Chairman of HWPL, are people who experienced the Korean War and have done, and are still doing the work of peace.”

 

 

The religious leaders in attendance then prayed according to the etiquette of each religion along with messages of peace under three themes: commemorating the victims of war; consoling the families of the bereaved; cessation of war and peace in the world, and harmony between religions.

Lastly, attendees had the opportunity to make their lotus lanterns, which are typically used in Buddhist cultural events. Attendees learned about their meaning, wrote their wishes, and hung their lotus lanterns. They had a meaningful time throughout all the stages of the Religious Peace Camp.

Jeong Rae-Gyun, the leader of the Daejeon headquarters of Gungeuldaedo said, “HWPL’s peace activities are very meaningful, and I think Mr. Man-hee Lee, the Chairman of HWPL, is doing a great job. I was very happy to attend this event,” expressing his thoughts about attending.