Introduction
On June 6, a special online meeting for wives of Japanese-Korean couples was held at Shoto Headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo, with Bang Sang-il, Regional Group President of Heavenly Japan. During the live stream, Regional Group President Bang gave a message of encouragement and shared Mother’s condition, whom he met during his visit to South Korea. He also called all members to become victorious Cheonbo families. (Editorial Department)
True Mother gave us a ballpoint pen to keep record of our conscience
Hello everyone. First of all, I would like to share about True Mother’s condition after meeting her on my visit to South Korea, as well as the progress of Heaven’s providence.
Nine Cheon Il Guk leaders from Japan recently visited Korea. After the 14-day quarantine, we met True Mother at the Cheon Jeong Gung Museum on April 26. During the 44 day period from March 27 to May 9, she had an unimaginably difficult schedule and held 20 events to commemorate the 61-year anniversary of the Cosmic Holy Wedding. We visited Korea the day after one of these festivities: the Hyojeong Cosmic Blessing Festival (April 25).
True Mother asked the leaders of Korea, Japan, and the America to share their thoughts of the celebration. I was chosen to offer a representative report and prayer. Since I became the Regional Group President of Heavenly Japan for the Heavenly Parent’s Holy Community, I met Mother online many times. However, it was the first time in a year and two months, or 440 days, that I had met her in person. Because of that, I was filled with emotion and prayed with tears. Whether Mother’s chest felt such pain, I do not know, but she was also crying.
I am usually not a person who cries that much. However, I find myself crying often these days. I feel so sorry for my shortcomings before True Parents that tears come naturally. I think the leaders of Heavenly Japan all feel the same way.
True Mother gave us Montblanc ballpoint pens that day and said this:
“I’ve prepared important gifts for everyone. I had them prepared a month ago and have been waiting for you. Keep record of your conscience with this ballpoint pen. Write (your feelings) down so that these records can be passed down to future generations, which can be left in history forever. Never disobey your conscience, and review and keep record every day. Keep record of each day as if it were 1,000 years.”
The ballpoint pens had “Hak Ja Han” engraved on them. I have written in journals in the past, but it never lasted more than three days. But today marks 40 days without a break since True Mother gave me this ballpoint pen. A diary is not something I write out of a sense of duty, but when I think that this pen was given to me by Mother, I can’t help but write each word with cheongseong. I intend to keep writing in my journal until I die.
Cheon Il Guk Commemorative Gyeongbae (Pledge) Ceremony held as a fundamental rite for dedicating hyojeong to Heaven
On April 27, the Cheon Il Guk Commemorative Gyeongbae Ceremony was held in commemoration of the 54th Heavenly Parent’s Day and the 62nd True Parents’ Day.
Referring to the 61st anniversary of the Holy Wedding, True Mother said, “We have overcome the path of indemnifying the 6,000-year human history in 60 years. This is a year to embark on a new path for True Parents.” In addition, she mentioned that all of the pledge services and ceremonies need to be transformed.
Regarding pledge service, a guideline was issued that states, “In the future, when all people of the world return to heaven’s bosom, it will be called ‘Cheon Il Guk Commemorative Gyeongbae Ceremony that will become the fundamental rite to offer hyojeong to the Heavenly Parent (God) and the True Parents of Heaven, Earth, and Humankind.”
First, the positioning of husband and wife have changed when doing pledge service. In the past, husbands and wives of representative families stood front and back respectively, but from now on they will stand side by side. In addition, only victorious Cheonbo families will be able to bow before True Parents. Husbands will be required to wear formal Cheonbo attire and wives, white or beige dresses.
The offerings on the altar also have a clear meaning. Chestnuts, dates, persimmons and pears will be lined up. Chestnuts symbolize the unity of the trinity of Heavenly Parent (Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother) and True Parents, and dates (one seed) signifies hyojeong that is one and absolute.
Persimmons signifies the change of lineage and its settlement through the blessing given by the Heavenly Parent and True Parents. In order to make wild persimmons into sweet ones, they must be grafted. All humankind must receive the blessing and change their lineage from Satan’s to God’s, and persimmons incorporate this meaning.
Pears signify that all humankind will become heavenly people who serve the Heavenly Parent and form a “great cosmic family under the Heavenly Parent.”
The lighting of the candles will be done by the representatives chosen by the True Parents. This time, Yeon-ah Moon and Hoon Sook Moon lit the candles as representatives of Hyo-jin Moon and Heung-jin Moon’s families, respectively.
The ceremony was the first of its kind using the title “Cheon Il Guk” in the name that was held based on the foundation of the firm establishment of Cheon Il Guk . This is not simply a religious ceremony; it is the center of a new culture and should be done with the participation of all humankind.
Heavenly Parent’s Day, True Parents’ Day, and the anniversary of True Parents’ Holy Wedding will now be held together on March 16th of the Heavenly calendar, and True Mother blessed the occasion with the hope that “all humankind can participate” in the Cheon Il Guk Commemorative Gyeongbae Ceremony, which was fitting as the spring and new start of the providence.
This time (in Korea) made me reconsider (the importance of) traditions and ceremonies. Ladies and gentlemen, why is it that the Jews lead the world as its chosen people, despite a history of severe persecution? I think it’s because they keep to their traditions and rituals. Let us, too, keep to our traditions and ceremonies of the Unification family (movement) and let the children of the second and third generations inherit them.
The Ceremony for the Placement of the Ridge Beam of Cheon Won Gung delighted True Mother with joy
The event that thrilled True Mother the most was the The Ceremony for the Placement of the Ridge Beam of Cheon Won Gung held on April 27th.
The groundbreaking ceremony for Cheon Won Gung was held on September 8, 2017 under the name of CheongJi (Heaven and Earth) SunHak Won. At that time, True Mother visited the construction site many times, devoting cheongseong, and gave instruction that “it should be an exhibition hall for eternity that records all of the dreams and wishes of the Heavenly Parent, the love of True Parents and the history of the providence. It should be more glorious and magnificent than the Cheon Jeong Gung Museum.” She offered hope saying, “After it’s completiong in 2023, people from all over the world will come and visit, and they will offer gratitude and glory before Heaven.”
On July 4, 2019, True Mother changed the name of CheongJi SunHak Won to Cheon Won Gung and said, “If Cheon Jeong Gung Museum is the holy place, Cheon Won Gung will be the most holy place. It will play the role of Cheon Il Guk’s central office.” In Korea, the central office is the Blue House (the official residence of its head of state).
The time will come when all humankind will soon be educated at Cheon Won Gung. They will learn about the achievements of True Parents and be happy to receive the blessing. I was surprised to see how excited True Mother was when she offered a prayer at the Ceremony for the Placement of the Ridge Beam on Cheon Won Gung. I would like to ask all of you to take great interest in Cheon Won Gung, which is being built steadfastly with Mother’s hyojeong being poured before heaven.
Gifting True Mother with a ring: the filial heart of Shin-chul nim and Shin-heung nim
On the morning of April 28th, I visited Cheon Jung Gung Museum on the invitation of True Mother. As soon as she appeared before the leaders, she showed us her finger and said, “Today is really a joyous day.” With some of their friends, Shin-chul nim and Shin-heung nim had gifted Mother with a 0.5 carat diamond ring.
True Mother shared stories with us from Hyo-jin him’s childhood. He had once told Mother, “Mom, why don’t you have earrings, necklaces or rings, even though you are beautiful and wonderful,” and promised that when he grew up, he would buy her beautiful rings and necklaces.
In fact, when he was President of World CARP, he had bought rings and necklaces for Mother on several occasions. However, she did not keep them and instead gave them to some of the members.
True Mother cried aloud and said, “I didn’t expect such a joyous day to come. I gave all the rings that Hyo-jin gave me, but I will keep this ring with great care.” Her cry was not a light sob. This was the first time I saw Mother cry like that.
She continued and told us, “I am shedding tears of joy today. Don’t worry, I am crying because I am overwhelmed with joy. There probably won’t be many times where I cry with joy. Regional presidents and chairs of Cheon Eui Won, you have never thought like my grandchildren. Please look again within your hearts.”
We shed tears of repentance as we reflected on our lack of filial piety.
Rally of Hope and Advancement for Think Tank 2022 attended by global leaders
Do you know what was the most significant event, in external terms, among the series of events? It was the Rally of Hope and Advancement for Think Tank 2022. I can safely say that there has been no event with a greater impact than this in the history of the Family Federation. The speakers were all intellectuals whom everyone in the world is familiar with. Former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, former South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, and former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. You all know these names, don’t you? Surprisingly, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will serve as the chairman of Think Tank 2022.
He arrived at the Cheongshim Peace World Center an hour before the event and had a deep conversation with True Mother. All of the speeches at the convention were made through video, but Ban Ki-moon gave a congratulatory speech in front of Mother directly at the convention. I can’t help but think that heaven’s work is playing out.
The Family Federation has held many events in Korea. It had been so difficult to invite national assembly members and province governors; however, 70 national assembly members sent congratulatory messages and some of the governors even sent congratulatory video messages.
The image of the Family Federation is completely different from what it used to be. So don’t be afraid that our foundation may be small. Our global network is making huge impact on the national level. True Mother encouraged us saying, “What are you guys hesitating about now? Hurry and meet with President Moon Jae-in.”
At the victory banquet, the leaders of Heavenly Japan presented a mother-of-pearl inlaid lacquerware as a token of our gratitude to our True Parents and our determination to fulfill Heaven’s will. The place where I asked to have this made is famous in Japan and they supply gifts to the Imperial Family. They had worked on this piece for a year. It depicts the moon; the True Family, symbolized by two parent cranes and 14 baby cranes; and Japan, symbolized by Mount Fuji.
Author of Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, roused for her daughter
Next, I would like to discuss the attitude we should have towards life, and I will do so by introducing three famous people.
As you know, the Bible is the best-selling book in the world. But many people probably do not know the specifics of the Bible? In that sense, it can be said that it is read the least. Then, what books have been read countless times in recent years? That has to be the Harry Potter series. They say that the total number of Harry Potter books in circulation worldwide exceeds 500 million. The author is a British woman named J.K. Rowling. She was born in July 1965, so she is 55 years old now. I heard that she is now richer than Queen Elizabeth but as a philanthropist, she is working hard to help children in poverty and welfare.
She partakes in such activities because she went through difficulties in her life. After graduating with honors from a British university, she lost her beloved mother while working job to job. To get rid of her grief, she decided to go abroad and started working as an English teacher in Portugal. There, she married a journalist. However, due to domestic violence among other reasons, she had to return to England with her daughter, who was only four months old at the time.
After that, she was unable to pick up a job and lived on a small government subsidy, but soon developed depression and was driven into suicidal thoughts.
She has shared that she loved reading from an early age and used to read books whenever she could. One day, her daughter asked her to buy a book at a bookstore. However, she could not even afford that. She couldn’t buy a book for her beloved daughter—something that filled her with joy when she was young. How hard it must’ve been for her?
She made the determination that she would not ruin her daughter’s life, so she put pen to paper and completed the Harry Potter manuscript. She sent the finished manuscript to several publishers, but only one responded, but they turned it down saying it was too long for children.
She was finally able to get it published, but only 500 copies of the first edition were printed. But a U.S. publisher took notice and published 50,000 copies. Since then, as you all know, it has become a bestseller loved by children and adults around the world. According to one estimate, the Harry Potter brand is worth $15 billion—¥1.65 trillion. Here was a woman who had been in poverty and was receiving welfare benefits, yet she stood up for her beloved daughter and achieved worldwide success.
Mandela never lost hope even in the most difficult of circumstances
Next, I’d like to talk about Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa. Born in July 1918, he joined the anti-apartheid movement from a young age and was arrested in 1962 when he was 44 years old. He spent the next 27 years in prison.
Ladies and gentlemen, what do you think would happen if people spent that much time in prison? Most people would lose hope and some would even go cripple. But Mandela never lost hope.
About ten years after he was imprisoned, his daughter came to see him in prison. She brought her newborn baby with her and said this to her father:
“Dad, you must be facing a lot of hardships, but I am now married and have found happiness. I gave birth to a daughter. She is your granddaughter. Please give her a name.”
Mandela named his granddaughter “Hope” in their language in South Africa. His daughter was shocked and started crying. At that moment in history, the environment surrounding black people did not seem to be improving and people were living without hope. On the other hand, Mandela— who was in the most devastating of positions of being in prison where he learned of his mother and son’s deaths in an accident and was not allowed to attend their funerals—did not let go of “hope.”
Mandela was already over 70 when he was released in 1990. Nevertheless, with the support of those who had been waiting for his release from prison, he became the president of the African National Congress in 1991. In 1993, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in abolishing apartheid, and in 1994, he appointed president of South Africa through their first general election where people of all races were allowed to vote.
Mandela believed that “the greatest honor in life is not where you fall, but where you stand up every time you fall.” No matter how bad things were in prison, he maintained his health by doing push-ups and sit-ups every day. People are faced with many difficulties and hardships in their lives, but those who succeed see them as blessings in disguise that make them tough.
Hideki Matsuyama: never give up on childhood dreams and keep chasing them
The last person I’d like to talk about is Hideki Matsuyama, the golfer. In April of this year, he became the first Japanese and Asian to win the Masters, a historic and traditional golf tournament that has been held in America since 1934. You may have seen previous winners in newspapers or on TV wearing the “Green Jacket” given to its champions.
Matsuyama started playing golf when he was four years old. He started under the influence of his father, who had participated in the Japan Amateur Golf Championship. When Matsuyama was in junior high school, he transferred to a combined middle and high school with a golf team in search of a place where he could compete at golf. He made his mark by winning the National High School Golf Championship.
In 1997, when he was five, he dreamed of “becoming Tiger Woods” after seeing him become the youngest champion to win the Masters and put on the Green Jacket. Twenty-four years later, Matsuyama won the Masters title, his long-cherished dream. At the winning press conference, he said, “I think I was able to prove that Japanese can wear the Green Jacket. I would be very happy if kids wanted to be like me just like how I wanted to be like Tiger.”
He may have been injured or fallen into a slump in his career as a player. However, he never gave up on his dream he had since he was young. He has left behind these words: “As long as we don’t win in whatever goal we set, we can’t be satisfied. My belief is that people with fixed goals are strong-willed.”
There seems to be a golf boom in Japan because of Matsuyama’s success. In the future, I believe many golf players will emerge who admire him.
Like these three individuals, we must become victors in our cause. For us, the Green Jacket—the proof of victory—is the purple attire worn by victorious Cheonbo families. Isn’t it our hope to become victorious Cheonbo families that bring the victory of 430 vertical and horizontal families? The road is difficult and arduous, but it will make us stronger and tougher in faith.
Let us stand up for our beloved children and grandchildren. Never lose hope; never give up on your dreams and let us bring victory. Whether we sleep or are awake, even if our hair turns gray, we will become filial sons and daughters of heaven, striving to realize the world of a single human family under the Heavenly Parent sought by God and True Parents.
