Father gave this speech in mid-September at a banquet for prominent members of society (mainly Korean but some from overseas). Although he had prepared the speech in advance, Father occasionally departed from the text to add extra comments. We have included some of these in the translation reproduced here.
Distinguished leaders from the Republic of Korea and overseas, ladies and gentlemen: I have lived my life under an absolute value system centering on God. Not wavering from the call from Heaven throughout my entire life, I have persevered for the sake of the realization of a world of peace. A world of peace, which can only be established through service and the giving of true love, is what everybody wants. However, this cannot be achieved by human beings alone. There is a central figure in the cosmos, and if human beings do not form a relationship with this central figure, we cannot establish such a world.
Today, many experts from society are present here, so it may be discourteous of me to say such things as a major religious leader, but I want to tell you that God created the universe–both the spiritual world and the substantial world. We were made in the same way, with a body and mind; whoever is centered on the body must also take the mind into account and vice versa. You must understand that a person has dual characteristics. That is why if we only know about the material aspect, we know only half of the reality. We must also know about the spiritual world and about God, and if a central figure of peace exists in this world, that person should also know about him. I believe that it is only reasonable for a person to be prepared to know both the internal and the external aspects of this world.
Consistent through history has been mankind’s desire to achieve the ideal of peace. Yet eternal peace has never been manifested. This is the problem. Unable to establish an absolute value system that can be shared by all people, mankind has lived in ignorance, chaos, division and strife to this day. An absolute value system cannot arise from man, who is always changing and harbors internal conflicts. The root of this system can only be found in God, the absolute being and the Creator. God, who is the essence of love, created man to be the recipient of His absolute love. The status of an owner or master of love is not determined by oneself, and that is true for God as well. That status is determined only by one’s partner. Herein lies the fundamental principle that one should live for one’s partner and neighbor. This absolute value system of love stands above any political ideal or principle of economics. It is the heavenly law that transcends all ages.
What kind of being is God, who created this universe and the heavenly laws? God has manifested Himself in the universe as the quintessence of living for the sake of others. Though He is the king of knowledge, He does not ask us to come to Him through knowledge. Though He is the owner and king of power, authority, money and material, He does not ask us to use these as means of coming to Him. God says that anybody can come to His side as long as they live for the sake of others. Only those who live for others can become the counterpart of the center, and stand in the position of a central figure.
God is not an egocentric dictator. Rather, because God invests Himself for humankind’s sake, throughout tens of thousands of years man’s original self has sought to follow God.
All beings must exist for the sake of other beings in order to maintain their places of existence in this universe, as governed under the laws of Heaven. The principle that one should live for the sake of others is valid throughout all ages and in all nations. An egocentric and self-centered way of life will bring about evil, but a life of living for the greater good will bring about prosperity. All things can be brought into harmony by living for the greater good. This opens all doors–to individuals, families, tribes, races, nations, the world and heaven.
The self-evident truth of the benefit of living for the sake of others must be put into practice along the path of a true life. This principle is valid no matter where you may be; it is unchanging and eternal. If God were to appear before such a sage as Confucius, Jesus or Mohammed, asking him what he thought about this principle, he would surely reply that this principle is true. Do you feel the same way? Please keep in mind that this is the law of the universe, which needed for man to live in his truest form.
What kind of standards set by people in history do people of today aspire to reach? Only the standards of people who lived for the sake of others with a spirit of sacrifice remain as something worth striving toward in the world today. Those that set such standards are remembered as saints, great men, patriots and sons of filial piety. That which was accomplished through a spirit of self-sacrifice is remembered. Sacrificial effort benefits the greater good. Please think about this.
The reason my teachings will be able to emerge as the dominant ideology of the twenty-first century is that I have been espousing a world where people live for the sake of others, which is directly opposite of a world where people are living for their own sakes. Consequently, the hope of mankind can be found in the Unificationist movement. You may think that I am being overbearing in saying this, but what you must understand is that I take full responsibility for such an assertion. The world of the future, for countless years to come, will follow in the footsteps of this group that chooses to live for the sake of others rather than itself. The world does not follow those who live solely for the sake of themselves. The world doesn’t like such people.
How will harmony and unity be achieved? It is not achievable through force, money, power or knowledge. Everything can be resolved by living, based on love, for the sake of others. We can conclude that by living based on true love and for the sake of others, the devilish world will be recreated as the heavenly world. You will see for yourselves. Is there anyone here who opposes me? Individuals, families, nations and the world united against me. Now there is not one person who cannot acknowledge me, because you can see the results! You can see the results in the sky, on the earth, in the people themselves, and in the winds of peace. Please don’t be offended by the conclusions I’m expressing.
The way to make a person come over to your side is not through struggle, but by first thinking about that person from the position of a parent, teacher or owner. That is the way to be successful. I ask you to sincerely live for the sake of others for three years. Then you will come to understand what I am saying. You must be aware that acting in line with the principles of the universe is what moves the original mind of man.
You must live more for the sake of others. Those who do so will become people who can be entrusted with responsibility. If there are ten people, the person who loves and lives most for the sake of the other nine will become the central person. All nine would go to that person. In general, people think that living for others entails loss or is not beneficial to oneself, but you must know that this principle enables you to become the owner, the central figure and heir. This is how heavenly law works. More and more world leaders are welcoming me and what I do. People in the economic sector, for example, have not understood such things, but one cannot live on material things alone; the spiritual aspect is also necessary. It is the spiritual aspect of a person that brings about peace and happiness. Think of those couples who break up over material possessions…
(Father pauses momentarily) Older people need to take a breath of air after every word they say. Young people can’t know or understand that, so as a grandfather I should forgive you!
Distinguished guests, renowned leaders of Korea, I have been able to create a global foundation that transcends race, religion and nationality in 191 countries in my lifetime–despite constant misunderstanding and persecution–and have been recognized as the true parent of mankind and king of peace by God, the spiritual world and the earth. The reason for this is that I have practiced the heavenly way of true love that calls one to be the first to give, and to live for others. I did not ask to be made the king of peace. This title was given to me.
Harmony and unity can be achieved and the ideal of peace can be realized only when we are motivated by genuine love to live for the benefit others. I have guided humanity under this practical principle of true love, true parents, and true family according to the heavenly way. I now find myself close to ninety years of age, but I am not worried, because there is the spiritual world to go to afterwards. Do you understand what I’m saying?
The ideal family movement, which is based on the marriage blessing ceremony, and peace initiatives that transcend nationality, race and religion are aspects of the true love movement, which calls us to invest ourselves to the advantage of others as a matter of a personal, exemplary lifestyle. The various educational institutions established in a number of nations worldwide were created through my sacrificial investment in an effort to manifest the founding ideals of loving heaven, loving mankind and loving one’s nation. The global media institutions including the Washington Times and the Segye Times that form part of News World Communications, were created for the sake of correctly guiding the world in true love through a responsible, just and fair press.
You young people! Don’t feel bad because I call you young people; you know very well I’m well over 80. Look around you, and try to find ways to protect your nation and the world….
Interreligious peace initiatives, education in life’s philosophy, projects showcasing culture and the arts, the promotion of technology transfer, activities in the fields of education and science that bring people together across the religious and national divides, service activities, guidance for youth, the women’s movement, the cultivation of sports, and all the other projects I have founded, are grounded in the principle of true love.
I engage in my activities with a clear sense of purpose and direction under the ideal of the interdependence of all humankind, based on absolute values that are above the pursuit of personal gain.
Some people may think it’s ridiculous for a religious leader to become involved with such things, and ask what can possibly change in three years or even in a decade. I know it may seem improper for me to be speaking to you like this when I know that you are charged with important tasks for your nation, but it is for that very reason that I do so. If you would spend forty days to learn about the Unification Church, you would understand.
Man must walk the path of the truth and true love in accordance with heavenly law. Do you know what the way of heaven is? Do you know what the path of truth is? There is no way of heaven or path of truth in economics. All nations who send ambassadors to other nations do so in pursuit of their own profits, and that is why fights between nations cannot cease. The path of true love is the fundamental root that takes priority over any activity or undertaking by man.
If this old grandfather were younger, would you look at me that way? You young folks, don’t ignore me because I’m an old man. Even at this age, I am someone who seeks a new way if something does not work, and rectifies mistakes. I have returned to Korea after 34 years. The foundation I have established in America has been passed on, and I have come to Korea to find something that I can help with. I am ready to devote all my resources.
No matter how great your fortune or power, without the foundation of living for the sake of others, all those things are transient and are destined to disappear. On the other hand, a life of giving and living for the sake of others automatically enables a person to become the subject and central figure.
If your work can be focused beyond self-interest and on the macroscopic ideal of peace, and further on reconciliation and peace on the Korean peninsula, then I truly believe you will be able to attain something of greater value than just material benefit.
In accordance with God’s principles for the providence of re-creating His original ideal, the era before the coming of heaven that was shaped by the living of egocentric lives has passed away, ushering in the time after the coming heaven which will bring about the ideal fruits of this absolute value system. People who said they will live self-centeredly will remember their words when they cross the dividing line between the time before and the time after the coming of heaven.
All barriers will be eliminated in the era of God’s eternal peace kingdom in which people who live with true love become the owners and central figures of that age. Conflicts arising from narrow-mindedness and self-centeredness over differences of skin color, language, customs and geographical territory will disappear. Now is the time to build the ideal world in which we can live for one another together, based on a system of absolute values. You must know the absolute values. There are some people who say that you should not go to the Unification Church because we are “the Moonies.” But in order for you to understand the absolute values, you must go of your own accord and learn about them.
In conclusion I pray that God’s eternal blessings be with you all as you engage in your work in the spirit of altruism in accordance with heavenly principles. Thank you.