INTRODUCTION
To our Christian Family and all Friends in Faith,
The text that is contained within these pages is a gift from the Family
Federation for World Peace and Unification to you for your prayer and
contemplation. It is likely that you will find many of the ideas or thoughts
expressed quite challenging in terms of conventional understanding.
However, Jesus told us in John 16:12-13, "I have yet many things to say
unto you but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is
come, he will guide you into all truth...."
Also, the sources of the revelations are said to be the founders of the great
religions of the world. Many have considered non-Christian religions as having
little to do with God.
Yet Jesus said, in John 10:16: "And other sheep I have, which are not of
this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall
be one fold..."
In his newly published book entitled The Life and Mission of Jesus Christ, Rev.
Sun Myung Moon states, "There have been in human history many saints, many
religious geniuses, and many wise men. But no one else could play the role of
Jesus, who alone brings us to the Father. This is because he came in a
stainless, sinless position which no one else has. He is the only channel to
reach God. Though Buddha, Confucius and Mohammed were all religious saints, they
did not have the same relationship with God that Jesus had. Therefore, the birth
of Jesus as the messiah was the day of hope for all humankind." (The New
messiah and the Formula of God in History, February 21, 1972)
Father Moon's position on Jesus as Lord and Savior is founded upon his personal
faith in and experience with Jesus. Yet he tells us that it was Jesus who guided
him to have an open heart for all the religions of the world!
As we seek to unify the Body of Christ and bring unity among all faiths, we pray
that you may be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we, as the
Christian family, will have such love as to fulfill Jesus prayer in John 17 -
"That ALL may be one." That we might be like Jesus and manifest such
love as to bring unity and understanding to all the religions of the world.
With this thought in mind, please consider the following revelations.
Sincerely Yours,
Rev. Michael Jenkins
President
Family Federation For World Peace and Unification, U.S.A.
Preface
The deep yellow forsythia and pink azaleas blooming around me make me realize
that it is indeed springtime.
I like sunlight because it is bright, but I like the pale moonlight even more,
because I can share my heart with it.
What lies behind the harmony and intricacy of nature? Where does it begin and
where does it end? O God, who gave us a world so mysterious that no matter how
much we try we can never fully discover it, I have nothing to say to you but,
"Thank you," simply, "Thank you!"
I am deeply touched by the warm love of Jesus, the compassion of Buddha, the
proper etiquette of Confucius, the absolute faith of Mohammed, the intelligence
of Socrates, and Saint Augustine's passion and ambition for God. I am indeed
inspired by their pledge and determination to live in the attendance of God as
their Parent, offering to him all of their thoughts and truths. As I received
and recorded the messages from these great religious founders in the spirit
world, I wished that earthly people could resemble them in their unity of heart
and mind, in their humble acceptance of the truths from other religions, and in
their love for one another transcending religions and denominations.
Young Soon Kim
April 11, 2001
Preface
Although human beings sent the Apollo rocket to the moon, even if the knowledge
and intelligence of all scientists in the world were mobilized, they by
themselves could not affect the harmony of any part of God's creation nor could
they fully analyze it. If anyone thought that he could reveal the full divinity
and infinite power of God, he would be doing nothing but revealing his own pride
and ignorance. It is better to just believe in Him, even if it is difficult to
believe from a scientific viewpoint.
It is certain that many human beings are amazed at the divine nature of God as
it is revealed by looking at the changes and mysteries of nature alone. But
earthly people can never understand God as He can be fathomed in the spirit
world. Thus, I could not help but bond with four great religious founders, who
during their earthly lives personally conducted God's providence. It is so
because as I observed them in the seminar hall, I more often witnessed the
splendid procession of God's love than saw them keeping their religious posts
representing their own religion. Humble to God's call, they made great efforts
to change themselves.
They will remain always the founders and representatives of the major religions,
but ever since they came to understand the fundamental providence of God, they
have paid attention to the truths of other religions rather than insisting on
their own views. This attitude in them deeply moved me. Whenever God enveloped
us with His splendid jewels of light, we smiled at each other with loving and
peaceful faces.
As I was leading this gathering, I experienced something infinitely painful in
my heart, and thought: "If only earthly people could witness these scenes
and experience them, then God and True Parents could restore this world much
more quickly."
Each of these religious founders had experiences so moving, they rapidly
progressed and clearly understood God's current providential purposes. And
whenever they had time, they visited friends from other religions. Such scenes
were so beautiful. Their reflections were similar to each other: "I think
that I can understand the heart of Reverend Sun Myung Moon, who is toiling so
hard on Earth for the sake of world peace."
Now, the four religious founders, along with Socrates and St. Augustine who also
attended the seminars, are pursuing the same direction; it is the direction of
the providence of God and True Parents. They try not to show their own
distinctive characteristics and are making shared efforts to be united in one
direction. And they are earnestly praying that the direction of earthly people
will also be one.
Dr. Sang Hun Lee
from the spirit world
Table
of Contents
Preface 1: From Young Soon Kim, the Reporter
Preface 2: From Dr. Sang Hun Lee
Part I: The Secrets of Spirit World (Relationships with Angels) and the Message
from Confucius
1) Object Partners of Angels
2) The Rise and Fall of Human Beings
3) God and Human Beings
4) Earthly People Who Are better Than Confucius
5) People of the Original Homeland and Fallen People
6) Amazing and Great Truth
7) Blessings and Misfortunes in Life and Death
8) A Place Called the Kingdom of Heaven
9) Salvation
10) The Messiah and Savior
Part II: Questions of Dr. Sang Hun Lee to Confucius
1) What is your impression after listening to the lectures on the Divine
Principle?
2) What part of the Divine Principle most impressed you?
3) What part of the Divine Principle is incomprehensible or problematic to you?
4) What is your reflection on the Second Coming?
5) As the founder of Confucianism, what do you think of the Divine Principle?
6) How would you like to introduce the Divine Principle to your followers?
7) What is your impression of Reverend Sun Myung Moon, and what is your
understanding about him?
8) What are your plans for the future?
9) What would you like to tell earthly people?
10) What are your feelings after the blessing?
11) What part of the Divine Principle would you most like to lecture?
12) What do you think about the many books that you wrote on the Earth?
13) What would you like to do if you could return to Earth?
Part III: Messages from the Principals at the Seminar
1) Jesus' Message to Christians and All People on Earth
2) The Buddha's Message to Buddhists and Believers in Other Religions
3) Confucius' Message to Confuciunists and All People on Earth
4) Muhammad's Message for Muslims and People on Earth
5) Message of Socrates to Intellectuals
6) Saint Augustine's Message to Christians and Other Religious Believers
1)
Angels' object partners
At the time of creation, God created all things to have dual
characteristics, subject and object. Among all creation, He created Adam as the
representative of all things, but He was not pleased with Adam being alone. Only
after creating Eve as Adam's object partner was He pleased. All things were
created to resemble the nature of God who exists in dual characteristics.
That is why in the entire world of creation, there is nothing that exists alone.
After creating human beings as the highest beings in creation, God thought of
how He could bring them to the highest position, protecting and caring for them.
To accomplish this purpose, He created angels. That is why He created angels to
be inseparable from human beings, to always be around them and protect them as
if they were their walls. When considering that all things were created in
pairs, resembling the dual characteristics of God, who are to be the object
partners of male angels? I am sure we all ask this question.
After creating Adam, God created Eve. And as was already mentioned, if angels
are male, you would naturally wonder whether God created female angels as well.
God originally created angels as servants who run errands for human beings. He
did not create female angels yet. It is because male angels, created with the
purpose of protecting human beings, could not focus on fulfilling their mission
had they lived with their object partner female angels prior to God's children,
human beings, establishing their family. God created Adam and Eve with a desire
and expectation that they could establish a four-position foundation and lead a
beautiful life. Would He allow angels, who were in the position of servants, to
live with their object partners prior to the perfection of His children?
Simply speaking, God has not created the object partners of the angels yet.
Then, should angels forever live alone as males? No, they should not. As soon as
human beings could come together through the blessing, having reached the
standard of maturity, the angels would have been brought together with their
female object partners. Then, when would that have been, and who is to serve as
the object partners of male angels?
God has been suffering as if He were a sinner until now, although He is not, and
He has not been able to manifest Himself to His full capacity although He is the
Creator of all things. Likewise, although He is the King of light, He has been
enduring in darkness, unable to illuminate the whole world in His light. Until
the arrival of the day of liberation, He could not experience peace in His heart
nor could he fully manifest His light.
The day of God's emancipation arrived only when He could be crowned as the King
of Kings, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, with the fall of Lucifer. Now,
Lucifer is returned to his original position and God is also crowned as the
King. That took place on January 13, 2001. Through this, He is finally returned
to the precious position, the pinnacle of Heaven and Earth.
Now, all human beings truly have entered a new era and received the precious
master. Therefore, although it is not apparent to the external eyes, the world
has definitely changed since the coronation of God's kingship on January 13,
2001. Human beings finally are liberated totally from all boundaries created by
sin and crimes. Most intellectuals do not know anything about the significance
of that cosmic event. They have no idea of the incredible beginning of the new
Heaven and Earth. The generation of sin and crimes is totally gone from human
beings. Reverend Sun Myung Moon on Earth liquidated the history of darkness. On
the highways and byways of human history, God has been waiting for the arrival
of this day, which was brought into reality by Reverend Moon.
Thus far, numerous historical figures came and went, but no one could even
imagine freeing God from the miasma of the human history of darkness. Other than
Messiah, who could ever know that such a secret of Heaven was hidden within the
history of darkness? On the day of God's coronation, you could imagine how
joyful He was. Dear earthly people, who cannot see this with your physical eyes!
Even if it were merely a fantasy, what a happy day it would be! What lessons do
the records of the Bible teach us? It states that in the last days, the sun and
moon will lose their light, the stars will fall, human beings will be judged
with fire, and so forth.
A new era refers to the time God can enter a realm of total liberation. On the
other hand, to human beings, it is an incomparably precious gift. And the new
era is a time we can live with God in joy and happiness, attending Him as the
True Parent of all humanity. It is the time when the original world that He
intended to create will begin. Thus, for human beings, what day could be more
joyful than this day? January 13, 2001 was the day when, representing all
humankind, the Messiah attended God as the True Parent of entire humankind.
Then, at this point, what should God do with the angels who have been serving
human beings, together in joy or in pain, during the course of His providence of
restoration? God would have to treat them with benevolence and realize His
original ideal for them. Then, who are to be the object partners of male angels?
Originally, human beings were to command angels, having dominion over them. That
is, angels were to have the position of object partners to human beings. Since
God created them as ministering spirits or servants for His children, human
beings, the object partners of those male angels were not to be determined by
God, but by human beings. And since God has been crowned as the King, along with
His liberation the angels' blessing ceremony should be held.
During the course of God's providence that has been led by True Parents,
numerous angels have been waiting for such a day. Their object partners also
have been waiting for such a day, along with numerous spirits who came from the
Earth. Among them there are good spirits, but some are evil spirits. And in
Spirit World as well, there are good angels and evil angels. Therefore, True
Parents should conduct the blessing ceremony in accordance with the progress of
God's providence on Earth. Only True Parents can make all the decisions
connected with it.
Now, according to the providence led by the Messiah in this new age of the
Completed Testament, all humankind has entered fully a time to eliminate the
evil seeds sown by Lucifer. Thus the evil lineage should be also cleansed,
fulfilling the biblical verses: "New wine should be put into new
wineskins." Therefore, you must keep the significance of the Completed
Testament Age deep in your heart and reflect upon the teachings of the Old
Testament Age and the New Testament Age. By doing so, I hope that you will set a
clear direction to your life. We are now living in the Completed Testament Age.
Think of this once again, and examine your position. Think again of the
relationship between your life and eternal life in Spirit World, and how you
should live on Earth.
2/2/2001
2)
The Rise and Fall of Human Beings
A human being's earthly life passes by in the blink of an eye. People's
lives vary; some live a happy life, others a miserable life. Regardless of how
they lived, their life span is nothing but a brief moment in eternity.
It
may seem that a person's earthly position-some advancing, others declining-has
little to do with that particular individual, but it is not so. Human beings and
all things in the universe are bound by an inseparable and vital relationship.
Accordingly, moment by moment during my earthly life, even I, Confucius, was
indebted to all things in my surroundings-sometimes more, sometimes less.
From the time a human being is born from his mother's womb, why is he dependent
upon others, unable to live alone from the moment of his birth? Where do human
beings come from, and to where do they return? We need to reflect upon these
questions. Since human beings are born without thinking about the meaning of
their life, they tend to live without being serious about it. More than a few
people live this way.
People in the world call me a religious founder. During my earthly life, I
pondered about the meaning of human life. Especially, I pondered about the
morals and ethics of human life. As a result, I realized that I am powerless and
finite. I also realized that there are various realms that are beyond my ability
to reach. In other words, I realized that there are worlds that human beings
cannot fully grasp. I even experienced it myself. The invisible God was for me
the ineffable being par excellence.
I, Confucius, lived on Earth several thousand years ago. Here in the intangible
world, where people in the physical body cannot dwell, I came to encounter God
whom I yearned to see so earnestly while on Earth. Thereafter, I came to
discover and experience an incredible new truth. Ever since then, I have felt so
unworthy of the title "religious founder" that is given me by people
on the Earth that I wanted to hide my identity from Him.
God is the Master of human beings' rise and fall. From Him, I came to learn what
to teach, what to learn, and what to observe. On Earth I straitened my life by
morals and ethics, always striving to maintain them, spinning like a whirlpool
within their boundaries. Even in the midst of such a life, there were limits
beyond which I could not move and problems I could not resolve by myself.
However, my encounter with God here freed me from all that. Standing before God,
the norms that bound me on Earth were no longer necessary, nor did I need to
observe any boundaries. I did not feel any limits or limitations, nor did I need
anyone else's involvement to accomplish my ends. As the arrow of a compass
automatically points north, I automatically came to live a free and peaceful
life in complete accordance with Heavenly laws. Looking back, I see that on
Earth I lived in a prison of manifold norms. It was like I was incarcerated in a
prison without steel bars.
That is why the rise and fall of human beings is deeply related to God. I
believe that those who know God's fundamental attributes and who walk with Him
do not need strict rules or walls, to be observed out of fear. Not even once has
God taught me how to rise, how to fall, or how to diminish myself. Nonetheless,
once we are near God, we are bound to live in accordance with heavenly law. Then
we transcend any concerns about advancing, declining or diminishing.
It is very hard for me explain this to people who have a physical body. Even
though it may seem incomprehensible to you, I cannot help but convey this to
earthly people. Although I have the title "religious founder," I
cannot help but obey the great new truth in the spirit world.
Who is God? Human beings are powerless and helpless before God, who possesses
such an incredibly great truth. Yet, they should know that God is the Master and
Creator of all things in Heaven and on Earth, and, most importantly, He is the
Parent of all humankind. They should study about this. If human beings do not
know that God is their Parent, how can they ever understand His great truth?
Again, why is it crucial for humans to know that God is their Parent? It is
because then they will attend Him naturally and spontaneously as their Parent.
Then, from the moment that they attend God, they will be freed in mind and
liberated from the boundaries of boring and frustrating norms. Therefore, the
most urgent, desperate and ultimate task for us human beings is to clearly
understand who God is.
February 3, 2001
3)
God and Human Beings
When I was living on Earth, there was nothing that I took lightly. I took
everything seriously, organized it systematically, had control over it, and
executed the plans upon which I had thoroughly reflected. It was not easy to
live such a life. Above all, I did not neglect an understanding of the
principles of all things. I cultivated and controlled myself. And since I
fulfilled my plans without fail, I did not fall behind others. I particularly
focused on controlling myself in order to cultivate my character and virtue.
Perhaps, that is why people in the world regard me as a great teacher.
However, I cannot help but feel ashamed and inadequate before God. When
reflecting upon my life on Earth, I feel empty. Had we human beings come to the
intangible spirit world after having known God well and lived a life of
attending Him, we could have come before Him as His children, with pride in
ourselves. We would never have experienced any awkwardness in the parent-child
relationship we have with Him.
However, during my earthly life in the body, the material world and visible
reality seemed larger and more important than God. Hence, I failed to see the
invisible God as my parent. In the winter when heavy snows come with gusts of
wind, the cold weather is painful to our body. We human beings hurry to find a
place to protect our body from the cold. Yet if we knew the reality of God, we
would give priority to saving our spirit, disregarding even that we might be
freezing to death.
Most of people make haste to look after their physical life. If due to his
freezing to death, the physiological functions of a human being cease, his body
will return to the dust. However, we should realize that the spirit that
enveloped his physical body lives forever in the spirit world. As a result, it
should be more natural for us to hasten to cure our spiritual disease than to be
concerned for our body trembling in the blizzard. Yet we human beings have
tended to disregard our own spiritual life.
God once asked me the following question: "When you lived on Earth, did you
ever attend God as your Parent?" Then He made the following statement:
"You should have refused the title of a Sage."
Sitting there beside God, for a while I was extremely perplexed. I then
understood that although I taught the proper norms for human beings, I
undoubtedly failed to teach the fundamental principles of the universe. I
introduced some of those principles, but with vagueness and ambiguity. I should
have revealed the relationship between God and human beings clearly. Since God
is the Parent of human beings, I should have taught the norms of human beings'
life in attending Him. Yet, without understanding these things, I only focused
on human beings and their norms.
Imagine that in a family, there was an elder brother who taught his younger
siblings the proper etiquette and norms of human behavior, helping them grow to
be individuals of character and virtue, but not teaching them how to attend
their parents. Instead he kept their parents in a back room. It will be
difficult for that elder son to have the title of a filial son before his
parents. Since he put himself in the position of a parent, not an elder son,
what else can be said other than that he committed a great impiety before his
parents? How would you on Earth think of this?
Who is God? Who are human beings? If you think: "God is God, and human
beings are human beings," you are being completely impious to God. You are
deeply saddening Him. God is not only the Master of all creation and the Creator
of human beings; He is also our Parent.
Then, who are human beings? Who is this individual, "I"? I am an
entity that stands in the position of a child of God. The relationship between
God and myself is a parent-child relationship. A parent-child relationship is
destined to be inseparable. On Earth, whether your parents are good looking or
ugly, whether they are wealthy or poor, well learned or simple, is it not
natural for you to attend them as your parents? No matter how troublesome or
difficult, you must honor your parents. As their children, you must regard them
in the position of your parents. That is the appropriate duty of children. Human
beings everywhere and at all times regard this as a commonplace.
If that is the case in your relationship to your physical parents, how much more
should it be like this in your relationship with God, who is the Creator and
Master of all things? It should be indisputable that you must attend Him as your
Parent.
During his earthly life, Confucius taught people that the relationship between a
parent and a son should be close, that the relationship between a king and a
loyal subject should be based on righteousness, and so forth. However, he did
not clearly teach that the relationship between God and human beings should be
that of parent and child.
Can we say it is too difficult for human beings to attend God? To honor God is
the first and foremost norm and the greatest human virtue. Human beings should
not attend God casually. Now that we have finally found our eternal Parent, God,
we should live a life of attending Him. We should attend Him as our Parent with
all our heart and mind, and make it our aim to please Him. We should bring Him
to a warm place in the winter, to a cool place in summer, to sit on the green
grass in the spring, and to a field full of ripened crops in the autumn. We
should resolve firmly to do this. People with such a determination and
commitment will be the true people of the Completed Testament Age. If you attend
God with all of your heart and soul, when you encounter God in the eternal
intangible world He will welcome you, calling, "My beloved child, I'm so
happy you have arrived!"
God is the Parent of all humanity, and we are God's children. We must keep this
in mind. I confess that I made an irrevocable mistake of impiety before God
during my life on Earth, and with a heart to ask for His forgiveness, I am
sending this message to the Earth.
February 4, 2001
4)
Earthly People Who Are Better Than Confucius
To be born at an auspicious time is a great blessing. I was told that my
parents made special conditions with sincere effort to give birth to me.
However, despite such endeavors, I was born in an environment in which it was
hard for me to benefit from my family or my country. My father passed away
before I was grown, and it is well known that my mother's family declined
financially and she suffered great poverty. I mention the circumstances of my
family and my country of Lu because I believe that it is essential for earthly
people to understand my background.
On the other hand, one can say that my family background and national
environment set the stage well for me to be guided to become the Confucius that
history knows. In other words, due to the conditions of my time, my relationship
to God became as close as a son. As a result of growing up in a difficult
environment occasioned by my father's early death, I developed the character to
never give up regardless of the ordeals I faced. I thoroughly pursued my search
for the fundamental nature of life as a human being. I developed my habit of
being courageous before injustice, boldly dealing with unrighteousness and
establishing norms that were in accordance with Heavenly principles. And I
vigorously cultivated myself to align my life with these norms.
However, since I did not clearly understand the fundamental direction of life
itself, my teachings confined people within the limited boundary of norms and
did not point out how they could be liberated from them.
Today there are many religions and denominations. As one looks into them
carefully, one sees that most of their teachings are filled with commandments
about what to do and what not to do. However, such commandments seem to have
fettered the life of human beings rather than fulfilling their original purpose
of helping them. I believe that most of those commandments were made to
acknowledge the existence of God or other God-like beings and to guide people
toward bettering their life. It seems that they were, in a certain sense,
expressions of the human struggle to survive in the limited space of the earthly
world.
In the eternal and unlimited world of God, such fearful and old-fashioned
commandments are not needed. God does not restrict or tie down human beings,
whom He dearly loves, with such commandments as if with a trap. Since human
beings are His children, if they live in His bosom sharing joy together, they
automatically will be free and happy. People should live experiencing Heaven and
Earth in the freedom of their minds. Yet in this world, they are living within
the boundaries set by commandments and norms. From the vantage point of living
here in the spirit world, I regard such a restricted life to be empty. For this
reason, I feel so burdened by the title of Sage. How beautiful, rather, it is to
be called a child of God!
What benefit is it to be living in an outwardly good environment? A material
life of abundance may seem necessary during life on Earth, but it is rather a
burden and even damaging to life in the invisible world where God dwells. Here,
"a good environment" does not mean a place of abundance and material
prosperity, but rather a circumstance in which God can impart to us the
realization that He is our Parent.
I, Confucius, came to this world after having stayed momentarily on Earth about
2,500 years ago. I lived on earth for 70 years, so people might not understand
why I say it was only momentary. I say it because from the perspective of
eternity a period of 70 years is very brief. Yet that brief period determined
how I came here. You who are dwelling on Earth now can attend God as your Parent
and receive His teaching and guidance. It is an incredible blessing of cosmic
significance. Nevertheless, earthly people do not understand its value. This is
truly heartbreaking. If they understood it, there would be no one who would envy
me with my title of Sage.
O you multitude of earthly people! Be thankful for your good fortune to receive
fleshly life on earth at such a blessed time. In Confucianism you cannot find
anything that teaches you to attend God as your Parent. A truly beautiful,
invisible but substantial world where you can live for eternity with your True
Parents awaits you. It is beyond comparison with life on earth, which is so
limited in space. Yet your life on earth is when you complete the preparations
to transition here. Your eternal palace and heaven is in the splendid and exotic
incorporeal world. I sincerely request that each of you without exception come
to this place and live with God, attending Him as your Parent.
Actually, the fact that we human beings are to live in the attendance of God as
our Parent is not a commandment, nor a norm, nor a trap. As parents and children
live together on Earth, God desires to live with all humanity as one family,
talking together, eating together, sleeping together, and so forth. If human
beings can do that today, in Paradise they will find eternal happiness even by
just looking at the eyes of God.
Human beings today on Earth live in circumstances far better than the
environment at the time of Confucius. You enjoy freedom and happiness. While you
are grateful for such a precious and valuable life on Earth, I earnestly request
that you do your best to attend God as your eternal Parent.
February 7, 2001
5)
People of the Original Homeland and Fallen People
At the time of creation, God did not create human beings as they are
currently. Today, many human beings are living without knowledge of the
direction and purpose of life or the standard to which they should be restored.
They do not know from whence they came or why they were born. Therefore, they
generally pursue physical comforts and material prosperity throughout their
life.
From the vantage point of the spirit world, what is the meaning of being a
fallen person? Some people are working very hard and do not commit sins. They do
not understand why the term, "the fall" exists or why it should apply
to them. Often times, people take "the fall" to refer to a life style
of corruption, drunkenness and sexual promiscuity. Many of you probably have
such a concept.
However, here in the spirit world the fall has a different meaning. Simply
speaking, it means that during their immaturity, prior to attaining perfection
in the state that God originally intended, the first human beings deviated from
the principled track. Because of this deviation, we human beings are descendants
of the fall and were born with original sin. Hence, although people here and
there may be pure and good, even called saints or virtuous people, human beings
have original sin flowing in their veins. Accordingly, the liquidation of this
original sin, that is, conversion of the lineage, remains an unfulfilled task.
How can the fallen lineage be converted and the original sin be cleansed?
Without accomplishing that, salvation would be impossible. Human beings would
never be able to approach God or establish a father-son relationship with Him.
The history of divine and human grief would continue indefinitely.
For this reason, in order to resolve this problem, from age to age God has
chosen central figures and has been leading the providence of restoration. These
efforts have continued for thousands of years. Yet despite these preparations,
human beings have remained ignorant of what God was doing. Thus, while leading
the providence of restoration, God had to endure bone-breaking pain and tears of
indescribable suffering, anxiously awaiting the day of the fulfillment of His
will.
During the long, long course of history, God often felt the urge to wipe out all
of humankind. Nevertheless, He has been patiently establishing the foundation to
restore their fallen lineage. He laid foundations to purify the fallen lineage
one after another, and on these foundations He chose central figures. Such has
been God's providence of restoration.
From the Bible, we can understand that the process of converting the lineage in
order to receive Jesus took place over many generations. After long preparations
to receive the Messiah, God sent Jesus to complete the providence of salvation
by which humankind would ultimately receive Him, but Jesus died on the cross.
Through Jesus' sacrifice God could save humanity only spiritually, and we have
had to wait for another central figure to come. Reverend Sun Myung Moon is the
man God sent to us after long ages of preparations to purify our lineage. You
see, in order for us fallen people to be restored from the original sin, our
lineage has to be changed. Reverend Moon is the instrument for this transition;
through his ministry we can be restored to the originally intended state of
human beings.
Unless we are cleansed of the original sin, human beings from the moment of
conception are not in their original state. In order for us to be cleansed of
the original sin, we should be reborn. The method of rebirth is to receive the
marriage Blessing with the Reverend Moon as the officiator. That is the best way
to be cleansed of the original sin. This cleansing remains to be done for all
humankind. Only after having gone through this cleansing can we personally stand
before God and grow as original human beings.
To you on Earth, this message may sound strange and arrogant. However, the four
great religious founders who are living in the spirit world with God are walking
a path of absolute faith, absolute love and absolute obedience. This is not
sophistry; it is the truth. After all, did not all new truths sound like
sophistry in the beginning? Even so, truth is eternal. Therefore, you should be
serious about it. I hope that you will not live in regret by arriving in the
spirit world after having taken this lightly or disregarding it.
This is Confucius' sincere request.
February 7, 2001
6)
Amazing and Great Truth
The circumstances are remarkably different between the days when I,
Confucius, was born and today. Much has changed. Today, most nations have their
own president, king, or prime minister, who leads and guides his country and its
people. However, these are but external leaders, who are to bring their people
and nation together in unity under the necessary organizational structure. They
are not internal leaders who can dwell deeply in the hearts of human beings.
In this regard, the time when I was born is not different from today. All the
people of my country were unaware of any purpose to live other than mere
survival. They hoped only to live while gaining as many benefits as they could
from their country's fortune.
However, human beings were not created to live only in the world of external
phenomena. Knowingly or unknowingly, they are inclined to pursue a potential
latent in themselves and look forward to finding a new master to guide them.
Thus in the days when I experienced the pain and suffering of poverty, I came to
realize that the purpose for which I was living my life was nothing more than to
defeat physical hunger and thirst. I realized that after resolving these
problems, people do not gain the happiness that they expect. They seem
incessantly to seek a way to bring out the original source of infinite energy
that is restless inside them. I recognized that this power was greater than the
urge to satisfy one's hunger, and thus there must be a greater truth than that
which frees one from external poverty. The ignorant might think that to eat well
and sleep well should be sufficient for human beings. Why, then, should they
need ethical norms and morality? But I came to realize that our Creator endowed
us with something very precious within us, something that does not exist in
animals.
People recognize that if they only live according to their physiological
instincts, they would be no different from animals. Therefore, I am deeply
grateful to God, who endowed us with dignity through our intellect and
intelligence that animals, whether two-legged or four-legged, do not have in the
same degree. I also could see spiritual power emanating from the eyes of people
who cultivated their inner strength, more than from the eyes of those who
pursued external strength from their nation's fortune or material progress.
Gaining energy from this experience, I began to search for God, depending on the
power of the invisible Being, yet unsure about Him. This was the beginning point
of Confucianism. Human beings have an inborn nature to seek for God from their
birth, even if they do not know who or what it is they are searching for. They
are living with Him and are guided by Him, but are unable to find their Master.
Thus while on the Earth, I taught the people merely ethical norms, ignorant of
by whose guidance I was led. From my present vantage point, I cannot help but be
solemn before this precious truth.
One day God's bright light shone, and in that sudden bright and illuminating
light, although no one told them to, all the people present offered formal bows,
humbly standing up and then sitting back down in their original position, with
much joy in their faces. Their demeanor was beautiful and mesmerizing beyond
description. What surprised me about this is that it was exactly what I tried to
teach earthly people during my lifetime. No one has to teach it here. But after
witnessing such a beautiful scene, in which everyone demonstrated manners and a
style more graceful and lofty than that of my own disciples to whom I taught
etiquette and manners, I was extremely ashamed.
Now I know that I taught external things to people without knowing that I myself
was empowered by Someone who was the original source of my inner strength.
Hence, I confess that I was truly arrogant. Human beings alone are powerless.
The truth is that only when people live before the great truth of God, or under
His shadow, are they able to return to their original state. All of the precious
attributes latent within us were endowed to us at the time of God's creation. I
could experience all of these attributes little by little.
As a result of human beings' separation from God, these original attributes
could not manifest. On the other hand, once we live with God, even if we do not
toil hard within the walls of norms that are difficult to follow, everything is
automatically realized. Therefore, I hope that you will not be enslaved by
earthly norms.
February 12, 2001
7)
Blessings and Misfortunes in Life and Death
Everyone comes to experience blessings and misfortunes in life and death.
The essential question is the direction of the original source of
"life," "death," "blessing" and
"misfortune." Some people can easily overcome misfortune even when
facing it constantly, while others cannot escape from worry and anxiety even if
they have abundant blessings.
During our lifetime, is it possible to be liberated from blessings and
misfortunes in life and in death? Our earthly life is bound on all sides by
possibilities of blessing and misfortune. Likewise, once we are born we can die
at any time.
Let me first reflect upon my own life as I stand at this crossroads. People do
not know the purpose of life. They generally pursue a life that is comfortable
for their body. There are very few who live with a thought for life after death.
[Dr. Lee] Here, Confucius refreshes his memories of his earthly life. He
experienced pain and suffering from poverty, hunger and other difficulties. He
did not give a thought for how he would live, nor where he would dwell after his
passing. When, after growing old and dying, he passed into the incorporeal
world, Confucius could not distinguish whether he was still in the physical
world. Perhaps his appearance had somewhat changed. People around him were
leading their lives, working hard for something or other. Yet he was unable to
sort out his circumstances, and he grew perplexed. Even so, he could not ask
questions to this person or that person because due to his pride, he tried to
save face.
[Confucius] One day, several days after having set out on a certain road, I
happened upon something unusual. Some people dressed in luxurious and fine
clothes appeared to me and ordered me to go with them to this place and that
place. I was surprised when they guided me to a very flat land where everything
moved and spun effortlessly. Each time I went to the place I was asked to go,
all of sudden a gate would open so that I could pass through. Then I realized
that I was standing alone. No one paid attention to me. People were just
immersed with their own work, mindless of someone passing by. I felt as if I
were a vagabond, peeping here and there. Then I felt something under my foot and
came to a stop. It was like a ball of cotton. I wondered, "What is
this?" It quickly flew away into the sky. I was amazed by it and followed
it. As I did, something truly mysterious took place: the object that looked like
a cotton ball spread in the air and my surroundings became foggy. I could not
understand what was going on because I had never experienced such a thing.
Disregarding my pride and concern to save face, I began to ask questions of
passers-by: "Where am I? What country is this? I died past age 70, so why
am I here?" Over and over I asked people those questions, but no one would
answer me clearly. It was extremely frustrating. I was mentally tired. I was
also physically tired. I kept wondering why everything was so strange.
Again, several more days passed by. Then, something clicked all of sudden. I
encountered a person whose attire I had never seen on Earth, who seemed to come
from an exalted place. Wondering whether I was in the place where people come
after death, I asked him, "Am I on Earth or in the spirit world?" His
response was interesting: "Are you dead or alive?" I answered, "I
am not certain." Then he asked me follow him, which I did. It was truly a
weird place to which he took me; a restaurant full of people. Although there was
no owner, delicious food was served before me. As I desired to sit on the chair,
a chair appeared like magic. I was just in shock. It took me many days to adjust
to life here.
[Dr. Lee] I came up with the sub-title, "Blessings and Misfortunes in Life
and Death" because during earthly life, everyone is to go through various
experiences of blessings and misfortunes, and as in life so after death. There
is something that everyone should clearly understand. Human beings cannot
cultivate themselves to be persons of virtue and character while they are in
comfortable situations. They reach the state of virtue and character only by
overcoming ordeals. And when they reflect back on their life on Earth, those
will be the times they remember.
When you are going through hardships, it is the time to discover yourself. In
doing this, you will be able to perfect yourself. Do not be cowardly. When
blessings come, keep the blessings with humility. This will be the fruit of your
earthly life. The place to which you will come with such fruit is the spirit
world to which Confucius refers.
[Confucius] The reason I failed to discover myself was because I was not
prepared for life in the spirit world, nor did I have any knowledge of this
world. All human beings must go to the spirit world after death. Hence, the
original source of all blessings and misfortunes of life and death is the spirit
world. And when you are in the physical world, you need to deal with them
properly. I hope that when you come to this eternal place you can easily pass
through every gate.
[Dr. Lee] Confucius tried not to live a cowardly life on earth, but he failed to
prepare for life after death. He could not experience life after death, nor
could he educate people about it. People on Earth must bear in mind that another
world after death exists for sure. He hopes that they will not wander in the
spirit world as he did.
8)
A Place Called the Kingdom of Heaven
What is the Kingdom of Heaven to which earthly people refer? Who created the
Kingdom of Heaven, and why are all people yearning to go there even though no
one has ever been there? During my earthly life, I never heard that I could go
to the Kingdom of Heaven if I lived a good life. Yet in my heart, I always heard
the echoes of my inner voice. I never believed in God nor did I attend Him.
However, the sound of my inner voice and the direction of my mind would not
leave me alone.
Where was this coming from? From the moment of birth God gives human beings an
intellect, an ability to think. That is a precious original nature and a special
talent that is given equally to everyone whether or not they believe in God. How
grateful humans should be! The Creator of human beings evenly distributed the
original mind to all human beings, regardless of economic status, without any
prejudice for educational background or race. He created human beings so that
they could live in accordance with their original mind.
The God-given original mind is sometimes clouded, influenced by the social
environment. Regardless, this element that lies at the bottom of everyone's
inner self dwells on. As the color of pure gold never changes even after passing
through fire, the fundamental color of the original mind given us by our Creator
never changes. What is it? It is the very foundation for the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Kingdom of Heaven is the original fatherland, our final destination after
having lived according to the voice of that mind, the instruction of that mind,
and the direction of that mind.
All people on Earth with physical bodies are living as slaves of their own
flesh, but even in the midst of worries they strive to live a good life in
response to the voice of the mind and its echoes that are occasionally heard.
Hence they struggle not to commit sins and crimes. If human beings did not
possess such qualities, this world would have become the kingdom of hell, a
world far more evil and fearful than presently exists. Therefore, we have hopes
and dreams.
What is religion? It is a tool through which we can prepare to settle in the
Kingdom of Heaven. It trains us to seek the peace of our spirits and cultivation
of our virtue, rather than the comfort of our physical body. During the process
of growth, human beings made a mistake and took the wrong path, giving an
impression that they drifted away from God. Nonetheless, our Creator instilled a
strong bond of heart within us. That strong bond of heart performs various roles
as the voice and instruction of the mind; that fundamental bond of heart issues
instructions from God.
The original mind God instilled within us at the time of creation, tells us,
"Even if you leave me, do not live an evil life or commit sins." The
original mind is unchanging, as it is God's fundamental attribute and
constitutive element. Were the original mind to change or disappear, it would be
absolutely impossible for us ever to reach the Kingdom of Heaven.
Then, what is the Kingdom of Heaven anyway? What is it? It is literally a
heavenly nation. It is the place where we are to live for eternity, enjoying our
original mind and its God-given attributes by following the direction of God's
words. We feel peace of mind as long as we live following the voice of the mind.
We feel it because the mind brings us peace as it fills us with the heart to
live for the sake of others, without any greed or selfishness.
In short, we are endowed with the original mind, through which everyone can
grasp the Kingdom of Heaven. Everyone who lives according to the direction of
the original mind will enjoy the Kingdom of Heaven, while those who cannot
escape from their own desires will remain distant from the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thus, we are to live with God in the original homeland of the Kingdom of Heaven,
by cultivating our original mind.
Therefore, I earnestly hope and wish that no earthly person will desert the will
of the Creator, our God, who desires us to live together with joy in His garden,
dreaming of an eternal ideal world. This is the sincere petition of Confucius to
all of you.
February 14, 2001
9)
Salvation
From the human viewpoint, salvation is rooted in our desire to be saved. In
other words, it means asking someone to help us. Salvation is necessary for both
believers and nonbelievers. Then why did the term, salvation, come into being?
On Earth, I was not a believer in religion. It doesn't mean that I didn't have
any sense of the need for salvation; indeed, I always felt that human beings
alone are inadequate, that they lack something and are imperfect and incomplete.
Thus, although I did not live a life of religious faith, I did desire for my
empty heart to be filled. And whenever my wishes were not fulfilled, in view of
my limited self, I sought for that Being of infinite value, even without knowing
what or who He was. In my heart I always had a latent desire and dream to reach
such a Being.
Again, the meaning of "salvation" is to ask someone for help in the
midst of hardship. Yet even without pausing to define salvation, there is no one
who can say with confidence that he has everything necessary, and therefore is
in need of nothing more. All human beings live with the desire and aspiration
for something else at the bottom of their heart. Still they pretend that they
are confident and that they have everything they need.
However, when people are faced with a crisis, knowing their own limitations,
they discover their original mind that desires to depend ultimately upon someone
else. Why do human beings have such an original mind, and why do they have an
element that desires to depend on someone? Why are they at the root unable to
live on their own? Everyone seems to have such a nature. It is said that God
created human beings that they might wonder: "Why did God create us in such
a way?" We need to think upon this point.
When patients are hospitalized, they need a doctor's care. They no longer need
it once they are fully recovered and healthy. Likewise, why do we need
salvation? We need salvation because we have a problem and need help. What is
the help that we need?
Examining human nature, we see that everyone has a concept about salvation. It
is a driving force that compels us to pursue the Absolute Being. Although
everyone has the nature to seek God, why can we not go there? Why can we not
satisfy that yearning? It is because we have ancestors who during their
immaturity deviated into a realm forbidden by God.
As a result of this fundamental deviation of the first human ancestors, we,
their descendants, were born in sin. We cannot directly go to God or stand
before Him until we cleanse our first ancestors' fundamental sin. But we of our
own power cannot set the conditions necessary to resolve our ancestors'
fundamental sin. A central figure anointed by God must appear and cleanse the
fundamental sin committed by our first ancestors. That particular central figure
is the one chosen by God, the one whose blood lineage was purified through
generations of human ancestors. That figure should set numerous indemnity
conditions for the sake of returning us to the original condition from which our
first human ancestors deviated. By setting indemnity conditions, he can stand
before God in the position of Adam prior to the fall. From that position, he
should bring us back into God's lineage, saving us from the sins of all
humanity. On that foundation, he can build God's nation, crown God as the King,
and lead us to God so that we all can live with God, together attending Him for
eternity.
Through his officiating at the Blessing of God, humanity comes to stand on the
side of God's eternal lineage. That Blessing is the ultimate salvation for
humankind. Our ancestors' wrongdoing degraded us to a fallen position. Returning
to God's lineage saves us. Then, who is the specific figure anointed by God to
bring us into the position of salvation? It is Reverend Sun Myung Moon. He is
the Messiah for all humanity, the Second Coming of Christ.
February 16, 2001
10)
The Messiah and Savior
The terms Messiah and Savior are not unfamiliar to earthly people. We human
beings are constantly striving to reach perfection while living in the flesh on
the Earth. However, we cannot progress or develop without a good leader. The
progress or development to which I refer here is not that determined by external
standards, but is rooted in the internal purpose and goal of reaching
perfection.
As was already discussed and revealed, we human beings were with the original
sin from the moment of our conception. Therefore, God's standard is an internal
one, the standard of having returned to the original state, without original
sin. At this point, we must clearly understand our own reality as individuals.
You might put the question as follows: "Although I did not commit sins,
although I always lived a life of righteousness, although my parents made
special conditions all their lives and lived a life of service and sacrifice for
the sake of others, and I was born from such parents, why was I born with the
original sin?" These are common questions for many people who feel that the
fallen state is unfair.
However, our fallen status is not the result of the sins of individuals, but is
the result of the fallen ancestral lineage in which we were born. To put it more
simply, it is the original sin, caused by the fall of Adam and Eve, that gave
rise to the fallen lineage out of which were born all of their descendants. It
is unfortunate and even unfair in a sense, but we are their descendants; hence
we have inherited the original sin. It might be difficult for some people to
understand this. These issues are explained in detail in the chapter entitled
The Human Fall in Exposition of the Divine Principle, and I hope that you will
refer to that.
If one's direct ancestors committed sins, it is only natural for their
descendant to make restitution for them. Accordingly, it is natural for all
humanity to pay the price for the sin committed by our first ancestors, Adam and
Eve. Therefore, in order for us to correct our fallen lineage, we must find a
way to make a breakthrough.
This is the seed of sins and crimes. Throughout history, no one could eliminate
it. Hence, evil prospered. The lineage of sin has multiplied all over the world.
During all this time, what has God been doing? Has He only been watching? Right
here, we need to understand God. We need to fathom His heart. From generation to
generation, God intended to realize His dream of building the ideal world
through central figures chosen by Him for the providence of restoration.
However, time after time the people failed, especially at the time of Jesus. The
Israelites had no faith in him and Jesus had to die on the cross. Thereafter,
time flew by, with the people's response to other central figures also not
meeting God's expectations.
When God saw His people dying like insects, He had to tolerate it with sighs and
tears. In the meantime, people whom He could not call His children continued to
multiply, creating human history and the world as we have it today. Such has
been the reality.
Nevertheless, even with the flow of time God's purpose of creation cannot
change. It must be fulfilled no matter what. Therefore, with every setback God
looked for another chance to set up yet another central figure. His hope has
been that sooner or later sinful human history will come to an end and the Last
Days will arrive. For that day to come, the Savior and the Messiah whom God
needs and whom God finds must come to this Earth to conclude the history of sin
and give humanity rebirth. This will return us to the original state, free from
the original sin rooted in the fallen blood lineage.
Who is the Messiah, the Savior? He is Reverend Sun Myung Moon. Here in the
spirit world, although invisible to earthly people, Jesus, Buddha, Confucius,
Mohammed and Socrates are gathering together every day. They are participating
in a seminar, carefully studying the Divine Principle revealed by Reverend Sun
Myung Moon. They sometimes focus on reading it many times, thoroughly. While
studying, they exclaim with astonishment how its incredible contents reveal the
heavenly secrets so clearly. And then they thank Reverend Moon.
Earthly people cannot be cleansed from the original sin by sitting around doing
nothing and then meeting the Messiah. You need to study the Divine Principle
carefully, together with many other books. Read them and study them. Believers
and nonbelievers alike need to study. Religious people will not easily accept
it. If you feel challenged by this, stay home, fast and pray about who Reverend
Moon is. Otherwise, grief without solace will envelope you at the end of your
brief life on Earth, but it will be too late. That is the principle and the path
of the principle. No one will take responsibility for you unless you rouse
yourself from the shell of your old-fashioned life of faith. Even if you have to
abandon everything, think of only one being, God. God did not create religions
and denominations. He did not create different races. We all are of the same
lineage and are God's children. Therefore, whether black, white or yellow, we
all are the same tribe, and Protestantism, Catholicism, Confucianism, Islam and
so forth should belong to God.
God's will is that we live as one family with all races under the same roof,
while attending God as our Parent. That is why Reverend Sun Myung Moon is
conducting marriage Blessing ceremonies that transcend race and religion,
officiating on behalf of God.
We earthly people should not remain as spectators, but we should participate in
the beautiful Blessing procession that is surging forward toward God's ideal
world, and reach the goal of becoming God's true children without the original
sin. This I wish and hope for all of you.
February 20, 2001
1.
What is your impression after listening to the lectures on the Divine Principle?
[Confucius] When I listen to lectures on the Divine Principle for the first
time, I was not aware of changes in my heart or mind. I just attended the
lectures to be courteous to the person who made the request to me. Then I was
deeply moved by the lecturer's passionate and sincere attitude and manners. That
is, in the beginning, I decided to listen to the lectures due to my trust in the
character of lecturers rather than my interest in its contents. Mostly I heard
lectures from Dr. Sang Hun Lee and Mr. Hyo Won Eu, and I also attended some
lectures given by Reverend Il Sup Eom who recently arrived here in the spirit
world. I also heard lectures from some others.
From the beginning I was very attracted to the Principle of Creation. I wondered
who could have systemized and organized the principles of all creation so well.
When I heard the lectures on the fall of the first human ancestors, I was
impressed to a degree that I would never have expected. Every time a lecture was
finished, I expressed the state of my struggling heart by marking a circle, a
triangle, or an X.
Yet the Divine Principle is profound and mysterious. When I would hear the next
lecture, my mark on the previous one changed into a circle, because each
subsequent lecture provided the answers to my questions from the previous one.
Sometimes while listening, I wondered whether the Principle lectures had a
certain magical power, because as time passed they stimulated my heart like a
fire. Especially when hearing the lectures on the coming of the Messiah and the
purpose of his return, I was so saddened.
As I reflected upon the way humankind prolonged human history due to their
ignorance, my heart hurt with the thought that we are truly sinners who cannot
lift up our heads before God. That is not all. When I realized that God, who
should lead the dispensation of restoration, has such a grieving heart, I was so
ashamed of myself that I just wanted to hide myself from God. After I heard
lectures from both Mr. Hyo Won Eu and Dr. Sang Hun Lee, in the face of this
awesome and unbelievable truth and reality, I had an experience in which my
brain was strongly hit by something, as if I were hearing a noise. The lecturers
went on to explain how human history has parallels and emphasized the importance
of the return of the Messiah, explaining its purpose and reasons.
They continued to teach us through question and answer sessions, expecting us to
come up with the answers ourselves. However, not one of us dared open his mouth.
We were first shocked by the notion that providentially, someone must come who
can save humankind. We just maintained a heavy silence while holding the serious
yet unspoken question as to who that person could be. Jesus first broke the
silence and spoke quietly but seriously, "That person is none other than
the Reverend Sun Myung Moon. He should be the Messiah and Savior of all
humanity."
In the following lecture, Mr. Eu shared his experiences of great discomfort and
troubles during his earthly life. He said that after listening to the lectures
on the Divine Principle, he resolved to live and die for Reverend Sun Myung
Moon, and with that determination he had taught the Divine Principle. He said
that what he feels most painful about after coming to the spirit world is that
he was not filial enough to Reverend Moon. When he was hungry, he also made
Reverend Moon go hungry, and when he himself was undergoing difficulties, he
made Reverend Moon experience the same hardships. Continuing, he said that he
cannot erase the memories of his failures to be a filial son attending Reverend
Moon as his parent, and he shed many tears. He added that it would be a great
honor and glory for him to be given another chance to be a filial son upon the
arrival of Reverend Moon to the spirit world. His sharing about this made the
atmosphere very serious.
Then Dr. Sang Hun Lee spoke. According to him, in the early days of his
encounter with Reverend Sun Myung Moon, Dr. Lee used to address him alternately
using the title "Father" and "Teacher." When Dr. Lee called
him "Teacher," he felt remorse and called him "Father." When
I heard him say "Father," I felt tears welling up inside. Unable to
control it, my feelings exploded and I began sobbing. With that, the atmosphere
became very heavy and serious. I wondered about the life of Dr. Sang Hun Lee,
who is so accustomed to call Reverend Moon "Father."
Then I became very curious about Reverend Moon, who had raised Dr. Lee to be
such a dedicated follower with such deep love for him. Simply speaking, my
honest feelings overall are that I would also like to do my best to be like Dr.
Sang Hun Lee, by deeply and carefully studying and analyzing the Divine
Principle. I have not yet reached the level of Dr. Lee in his love for Reverend
Sun Myung Moon, whom he knows as his father to his bone marrow.
2.
What part of the Divine Principle most impressed you?
The Divine Principle is not just another of the many books that people can
read for the cultivation of their hearts and minds. Nor are the terms in that
book familiar to people. Yet its contents are very moving. However, what was
most moving to me was the point that God is the Parent of all humankind, and how
I came to understand His heart and circumstances.
Due to the deviation of humankind, God could not fulfill His original plan.
Knowing God's situation, fact that He has been leading the providence of
restoration, is too painful for me. I am overwhelmed beyond description by the
fact that countless people had to come and go since the creation, during a long,
long course of waiting until God could restore His children who left Him. I feel
the same way over the fact that no one knew His situation throughout the many
thousands of years, and that He had to endure with incredible tension and
anxiety whenever a providential figure was chosen. As the Parent of humankind,
both sinful and good human beings are equally His children. If so, how aching it
must have been for God, who has anxiously awaited His children's return?
Further, since the fall of Archangel, sins have multiplied astronomically.
Nevertheless, how must God have felt when He had to remain helpless, unable to
intervene? How could He ever have tolerated such indignation and grief? Even
thinking of it makes my heart throb.
However, we are now in the Last Days, and a new era has been proclaimed. The
archangel Lucifer has returned to his original position. Now the head of the
providence of restoration is God Himself, and He is indeed the Commander and the
King of all humanity. Now what remains for us is to finish everything that is
yet undone, to live with God, to attend God as our Parent, and to make a plan
for the future.
Now we are standing in the correct position, no longer in a position where we
need to be restored. How lucky we are to be chosen for that position! What a
good environment we are now in! We should erase all anger, grudges and
grievances. Putting those behind us, we should attend God, who has been living
with all manner of difficult feelings, and make Him happy. For this, we should
discuss all matters with God all the time and live a life in which we can
naturally experience that He is our Parent.
God does not ask for much. All He wants is for us to maintain the relationship
of parent and child. God desires to live together and experience joy together
with His children. When His children eat, God wants to join them. If His
children eat porridge, God wants to eat it too. If His children are not feeling
well or are sad, God wants to be there with them, ready to discuss things with
the object partners of His heart. That is the very parent-child relationship.
When the parents are away from home, their children wait for them to return.
When the children have gone to work, their parents wait for their return. It is
a normal life, but such a relationship of heart is very important and precious.
It is this relationship of heart that was disconnected needs to be restored. Now
we must protect it and firmly keep it.
At this point, however, we must remember the most important thing. Even if the
relationship between God and human beings has been restored, many thousands of
years of sinful history have already passed. As remnants of that long history,
there still remain many evil people with sins and crimes, with attitudes of
narrow denominationalism, and with remnants of the nature of the fallen
archangel. We must understand this. When worms are eating our flowers or
vegetables, we need to apply an organic pesticide. Otherwise, we will not be
able to appreciate the beauty of the flowers or enjoy fresh vegetables. We
should do that job ourselves. What should we do? We should become good
caretakers, clearly knowing what portion is to be cut, what portion is to be
tied down and so forth. If good plants are mixed with weeds, they will become
infested with weeds. So we should not mix with evil people, just as good plants
should not be harmed and made unwholesome by worms. No matter what, we should
protect and keep our position straight. We should never present a scattered or
loose appearance in front of God.
When we do this, those who cling to their separate religion or race and those
with remnants of the angelic nature will be restored, and our eternal God will
settle as our Parent. That is the day when true peace will reign for all
humanity and God's world will be realized.
Dear earthly people, can you do it? Followers of Confucianism, can you do it?
Let us resolve and pledge together for this purpose. Let us stand on the
frontline to build God's nation. Let us shout cheers of victory for our eternal
God, our Parent, at the top of our lungs, so that all remnants of evil will run
away from those voices and echoes exalting God. God is our Parent! God is my
Father! God is my Mother! All hail!
Heavenly Father, please listen to these echoes of Confucius. Amen, Amen, Amen.
February 24, 2001
3.
What part of the Divine Principle is incomprehensible or problematic to you?
Overall, the Divine Principle is rather complex and difficult to understand.
However, if you pay attention to it, your mind will open and ignorance will be
expelled. Then your comprehension will grow through a mysterious principled
power, just as with practice math problems are smoothly solved. I do not think
that these are long-term problems, but some parts are hard to understand. They
are as follows:
First, although God is the Creator and Master of all things, why are there a
number of occasions upon which He could not do things as He pleased? When Adam
and Eve were in a crisis after the fall, why could God not scold them more
severely? Why couldn't He interfere with them so that they would have stopped
from committing the fall? Then human beings would not have suffered this much,
nor would God have needed to go through such pain.
Another point is that in "The Advent of the Messiah and the Purpose of His
Return," it says that there was a 3-hour period of darkness immediately
after Jesus' death on the cross that expressed God's profoundly aching heart.
But why? Had God's will been fulfilled through the crucifixion, God would not
have needed to feel pain. Nor would Jesus have needed to return, since his will
was realized through the cross.
And in Part II, I can see that God is leading a dispensation of restoration in
incredible ways through the parallels of history. But I could not understand
clearly why God had to let people walk a parallel path when many providential
figures failed to fulfill their responsibility. During the course of the
providence of restoration in parallels, if He wants people to fulfill their
responsibility, rather than letting them make a mistake, could He not have led
them more strongly? If God is omnipotent, why did He have to wait so patiently
for many thousands of years?
[Dr. Lee] Such questions were raised not only by Confucius, but also by others
among the four major religious founders. One day, Buddha asked Jesus a question
during the seminar: "What were the 12 disciples doing before you were
crucified?" Jesus replied: "Had they believed in me as the Messiah 100
percent, they would not have scattered like that. They only followed me because
they were amazed by my signs and miracles. But when the situation changed and it
became difficult for me, they looked at me only from a humanistic
viewpoint."
With Jesus' answer, Confucius realized that God's providence was prolonged
because of the failure of human beings' to take responsibility for their
mission. Yet he wondered why human intellect could reach only that level, and
felt frustrated.
The fact that God created human beings as beings who have to perfect themselves
during their immaturity, rather than as beings who are already perfected,
bothered Confucius as well. Could God not do everything for them? Can the
privileges granted human beings not extend that far? He wondered thus.
[Confucius] Anyhow, our seminar hours are serious, but interesting. But when we
realized that God's dispensation has taken so many thousands of years totally
due to human failures, we felt heartbroken. At the same time, we realized the
value of the physical body. Since God sent Jesus as the Messiah, the people who
should have received him were also God's children. Nevertheless, why could they
not fulfill their responsibility, tying up human history like a tangled thread
and prolonging the phrase, "restoration"? As human beings on Earth are
the ones who can untangle the tangled history, if we take a wrong direction in
our life, it will be as if we are throwing a stone at God. God is our eternal
Parent, our Father and Mother. I hope that you will not create other histories
that will be painful to Him.
4.
What is your reflection on the Second Coming?
The idea of a Second Coming made my heart ache. Why do human beings need the
Lord to return? If God's fundamental attribute is true love, the love that
caused human beings to fall can be termed false love. All human beings desire
true love, yet they are unable to explain the difference between true love and
false love.
Before explaining about true love, let me first explain false love. Human beings
are born from ancestors who possessed the original sin. No matter how devoted
someone may be, his or her children and descendants are also born with the
original sin. Therefore, we must first cleanse the original sin. However, this
problem of lineage cannot be resolved simply because human beings want it to be
so. It can be done only through God, through a person chosen by God, after
making certain indemnity conditions. Only the person who is approved and
anointed by God can resolve that problem.
That particular person is the Reverend Sun Myung Moon. Long preparations were
made for him to be chosen. And until he was recognized as the Messiah who was to
come, he had to undergo a course of incredible suffering, including
imprisonment. Despite many tribulations, he offered the Divine Principle as we
entered the Completed Testament Age, just as the Old Testament and the New
Testament were presented in earlier ages.
The Divine Principle is the gospel for the Completed Testament Age, a jewel-like
textbook that teaches formulas and principles of life. Everyone should read it.
Please read it carefully. It contains some homework for all people to complete
while on Earth. The Divine Principle was not written by ordinary study, research
and rational deduction. Reverend Moon traveled throughout the spirit world and
discussed many things with God. He also fought bloody battles with Satan and
discovered truths after gaining victories over him. How could anyone write a
book like this with human ability alone? Again, I recommend that you read it
with care. Those with ears to hear will gain wisdom and find an awakening.
Reverend Moon walked a path of unbelievable indemnity, going beyond the cross to
become victorious as God's anointed. He cleansed false love and is guiding
humanity to the original state that God desired for us.
Perhaps earthly people might not be able to understand this. This is so because
the differences between a true person and a false person are invisible to people
on earth. But consider: how do we differ from Jesus? We are all human beings,
but Jesus is the Messiah who was sent by God. Due to human ignorance, his people
did not receive him even in his own hometown. Rejected, he was unable to
exercise his complete power as the Messiah. Reverend Sun Myung Moon is one
anointed to fulfill the mission that Jesus was unable to complete.
Look at the providence of God, who has been leading the history of the
providence through parallel ages. How patiently He had to wait for the proper
time to send the Messiah in order to cleanse the original sin and restore human
beings to God as His children. Thinking of this, please study the book
thoroughly. Now, if you attend the anointed one sent by God and participate in
the Blessing, the most precious of all of the events he conducts, your original
sin will be removed and from there a new world will be disclosed to you. You too
can become the center of God's providence of restoration. Can you distinguish
true love from false love? If you cannot understand, pray repeatedly. If you
just sit and wait, you will drift away from God's providence.
March 1, 2001
5.
As the founder of Confucianism, what do you think of the Divine Principle?
At the time of God's creation, human beings desired to live with
God-centered ideas while attending Him. However, due to the human fall, their
relationship with God was severed. Time flowed on and history continued centered
on fallen human beings. However, although there was a breakdown between God and
human beings, they remained imperfect but with an original mind always thirsting
for someone on whom they could depend, even if that someone was not the original
God who created the universe. Without that, there could have been no way for
them to be saved. Through their original mind, human beings, created as God's
children, had a way return to the bosom of God.
Although Satan tempted human beings by cunning, he cannot change their basic
identity. That identity is their privilege as God's children. As the founder of
Confucianism, to put it simply, the Unification Principle is a gospel, a book
that guides human beings to the way of salvation. I do not think that there
exist any other books that are greater then this book. From the Principle of
Creation to the Second Advent, I carefully read, listened and reflected upon
every chapter. As a person who left many books on Earth, I could not help it as
feelings of astonishment, passion, emptiness, perplexity and shame passed
through me.
All I can think of is that this Divine Principle is not a book that could have
been written by human ability alone. I even came to have a humanistic thought:
"How many precious books could I have written had I realized even part of
the contents in this book?" There was no part that did not impress me, but
the Principle of Creation, the point on the dual characteristics in particular,
stunned me so deeply that I was dumbstruck a number of times. God is so
systematic and simple. He did not guide human beings into complications. As our
Parent and Master, God created human beings and all things as the expression of
Himself in a thoughtful and organized fashion and system, but human beings do
not know it.
[Dr. Lee] During the lecture on God's dual characteristics, Confucius thought
that the Principle lecturer was intoxicated with himself, bragging about his
knowledge and scientific theories. However, as he continued to listen to
lectures, he came to understand God's providence for humankind, and his heart
was filled with tears of woe, feeling grief and sorrow for God.
[Confucius] How could God, who created human beings and all things with a desire
to experience joy and happiness from His object partners, endure the pain and
loneliness? That is not all. In the creation, there is nothing that does not
exist in pairs, but who is God's object partner? We in the position of His
children have been distant from Him, living as strangers. That is not all. I
feel saddened by the fact that whether yesterday or today, most earthly people
are living aimless lives. We, the substantial objects of God, are living in
ignorance of our Creator and His reality.
On Earth, there are many followers of Confucius. The common agony of the four
major religious founders, Jesus, Confucius, Buddha and Muhammad, is how to
awaken and educate earthly people. No matter how much we explain, they do not
believe, but react with suspicion and doubt. However, God's will to save
humankind has not changed. Today in the Completed Testament Age, which is beyond
the Old Testament Age and New Testament Age, things that never happened in the
past are being realized in reality. On Earth, people are still divided into
different religions and denominations, but here in the spirit world, the four
major religious founders and Saint Augustine are attending the Divine Principle
seminar every day, concentrating on the restoration of earthly people. Yet
still, people on earth do not pay attention to it. Nor is the earnest message of
Buddha, filled with agony and compassion, so helpful to earthly people.
Nevertheless, as the founder of a religion, and as a person in charge of a
religion, I am sincerely petitioning my beloved followers to listen to my
message so that they might not have difficulty upon their arrival in the spirit
world.
[Dr. Lee] I often see Buddha in tearful prayers. The common concern of the four
major religious founders is how they can take responsibility for their own
religion. Yet since they lost their physical bodies, they cannot do as much as
they desire to do.
[Confucius] As the founder of Confucianism, what should I request? The only wish
of the four major religious founders is for people to live as God originally
desired human beings to live, under the same ideal of God. Therefore, I wish
that my followers would study the Unification Principle without any prejudice,
just as they studied my life and books. The Buddha is petitioning his followers
with the same desperate heart.
The four major religious founders feel agony and inner conflicts over the
inability of earthly people who cannot transcend old-fashioned ideas and
thoughts. Along with the flow of time, civilization is tremendously developed,
and people can now travel anywhere as if they were neighbors. Nevertheless, why
is people's love for God so prejudiced and outdated? I am saddened by earthly
people and feel heartbroken. My dear followers, I have a request for you. Would
you grant my wish? If so, please thoroughly read Buddha's message. That is my
request for you.
3/12/2001
6.
How would you like to introduce the Divine Principle to your followers?
God and human beings are in a father and child relationship. That
relationship of father and child is destined. It is beyond condition or reason.
It is unconditional. Whether joyful, happy, sad or lonely, a father and child
share the same feelings together.
Children should pay attention to their parents-where they are living, how they
are doing, if they are hungry, if they are suffering some hardship, if they are
healthy, and so forth. That is the minimum duty of children towards their
physical parents. God is our Creator and Parent. Nevertheless, our relationship
with Him has been disconnected for so long. Instead, a false parent acted in His
stead. For ages we lived a life of ignorance, trapped by him. However, we human
beings should know that all this time God has been trying to restore our
relationship with Him as parent and child. Finally, God has been crowned as the
King before all humanity and stands as the Parent of all humanity. Even so, God
is still not free due to the environment and the nations that are not prepared
to receive Him.
Only a few will be able to understand what I am talking about. I think that
Exposition of the Divine Principle is the book to save all humankind. I left
many books behind, but none of them can save the human spirit. The Divine
Principle is not susceptible to human analysis. It contains heavenly secrets
that were long hidden by God. Reverend Sun Myung Moon revealed them through his
life-risking journeys between the spirit world and physical world. If you read
it casually, it will be difficult for you to understand it.
My followers know that my books are too difficult for the public to read and
understand. Nevertheless, they study them, analyze them and interpret them. They
may be helpful for life on earth, but there is not even one verse that can guide
you in your life after death and help you take responsibility for it.
Simply speaking, your life on Earth is temporary and transient, but your life
here in the spirit world is an eternal heavenly path. If this is so, rather than
studying books that are helpful and comforting for your earthly life, would it
not be far better for you to study books that can prepare you for your eternal
life? I did not know anything about the other life, and therefore could not do
anything about it. Since I was so ignorant about it, how could I? What a foolish
man I was! Earthly people who follow the teachings of Confucianism with respect
and reverence, please be serious about the point that I am now making.
God is our Parent, and we are His children. If anyone thinks that there is a
greater truth than that, go for it. Yet, the other life is eternal, and we were
created to live in that eternal world, attending Him. That is God's truth and
the fundamental teaching of the Divine Principle. Please keep this in mind.
March 13, 2001
7.
What is your impression of Reverend Sun Myung Moon, and what is your
understanding about him?
Who is Reverend Sun Myung Moon? To earthly people in the flesh, who see him
with their physical eyes, he appears as an ordinary man. They will be unable to
notice much that is different about him. However, if they knew all things about
the spirit world, the Earth would have become the Kingdom of Heaven already.
I would like to praise him highly and inform earthly people who he is. Yet what
can I do with my empty feeling? Still, each of us promised one another to do our
best, so that we would not be accused for failing to fulfill our responsibility.
Dear earthly people, religious believers, atheists! Your life on earth is not
eternal. Your current life is only momentary. When you wake up from your dream,
as the dawn arrives, you will see this world is like a dream you have for one
night. Once I tasted the eternal world and looked at the Earth, I felt as if my
life there was laughable and foolish. Please wake up from your temporary world
and listen to the message of Confucius.
Reverend Sun Myung Moon lives as you are, in the flesh. Yet we witnessed how God
moves with him. Whenever Reverend Moon moved, the light of God poured upon his
seat. The light was so bright that we often could not keep our eyes open.
However, earthly people cannot experience this, and therefore he just focuses on
giving his words. Every time Reverend Moon moves, God covers him with incredible
light, sometimes becoming one, sometimes becoming two. At times we can see only
light and are unable to see him, but we can hear him.
One day, we saw him in prayer before the public. Splendid rays of God's blood
and sweat shone upon him. Those tears and blood dripped onto the seats of the
audience, transforming whomever it touched, draping them with white robes and
making them dance as angels while they were exiting. Then, the bloody throne of
God and Reverend Moon's precious body became totally one, with only the one
desire of saving all humankind, and each drop of their sweat and blood
penetrated our hearts as if stabbing us with a knife. Do earthly people know
this? We witnessed it when he was praying in the hall at the United Nations.
Dear earthly people, I, Confucius, personally witnessed it. God has shown me
Reverend Moon's thorough thoughtfulness for God's will on countless occasions.
What good are denominations? Once we have met the great teacher, the true
teacher, the true parent, should live with him. And once coming to this world,
the spirit world, we are to live with God. That is the original purpose of God's
will for our life.
Wise religious believers are people who do not live only for the short span of
life on Earth, but people who study the eternal world and are preparing for it.
Please discard your outdated thoughts and accept the new truth. That is the
shortcut to the Kingdom of Heaven.
March 15, 2001
8.
What are your plans for the future?
As a person who came to know the Divine Principle and the will of God, there
is only one way. I would like to attend God as my Parent and fulfill my duty as
a child. How can I fulfill that? Attending God cannot be done only by rational
intellect. I would like to attend Him as if I actually lived together with Him.
I would go and visit Him in his room every day and greet Him in the morning, in
the afternoon, in the evening and at night.
When I was living on the Earth, had I realized that I should attend God as my
Parent, I would have left behind many good books of which I would not be
ashamed, and many people would have learned the truth. I missed such a precious
opportunity. I was truly ignorant. However, I have come to understand it now,
and would like to focus only on this way. Also, I would like to cooperate with
earthly people as much as I can. Unfortunately, their views are so
old-fashioned. How can I open the tightly closed door of someone's mind? That is
a most serious question.
The life of Confucius included struggles with poverty. I was attached to
considering the moral and ethical norms by which people should walk, and I also
endeavored to live by them. Yet I was not closed-minded to the truths that
others possessed. Now the truth of the eternal world has been taught to all
people, and also various fields have been revealed through the blood-stained
efforts of Dr. Sang Hun Lee. Even if it does not sound real to you, it is only
right for you believers to pay attention and study it. If you are obstinate
about your own views, it is nothing but arrogance, and you will be unable to
escape your own boundaries. If those boundaries are too high and too strong, you
will be confined by them and shrouded in their shadows and will not be able to
see the bright light on the outside. Open the curtains that have covered the
windows and look at the splendid sunlight that is dawning in the east. The rays
of sunlight will congratulate you like a rainbow and embrace you.
As did Dr. Sang Hun Lee, Confucius would like to reveal facts about the lives of
scholars in the spirit world. Yet as it is only my personal hope, I will not do
it. Visiting here and there, I wish I could teach people how to live with God as
their Parent. It would be such a happy life.
Although I am unqualified and unworthy, I would like to tell people to study and
analyze the teachings of Reverend Sun Myung Moon, the Divine Principle. I would
like to be able to teach more people in a more effective way, by becoming a
person of the Principle.
Although I do not think that Reverend Moon would approve of me doing it, and
further, there are numerous professionals from the Unification Church in this
field, yet if I were asked what I would most like to do, my answer would be to
become a Divine Principle lecturer. It is so because Divine Principle is the
foundation for everyone and points the direction for everyone to take in the
eternal world.
I do not know God's plan for me. I now know that God is our Parent and Father.
And through the Divine Principle, I also came to know the direction of my life.
What other plan could I want? There can be only one way.
And yet, even I now realize that I have something to do, pioneering a barren
field that can contribute to God.
9.
What would you like to tell earthly people?
I wish to say that in the light of the new truth, everyone should take a
humble attitude as a genuine believer and have his or her own encounter with
God.
10.
How do you feel after having been blessed?
On Earth, the term "blessing" is commonly used when you enjoy good
luck. Here the term means something totally different. Simply speaking, it means
marriage. However, it still sounds unusual to hear of the Blessing given to
people in the spirit world.
Today, Confucius would like to speak to earthly people not as a person who
believes in Confucianism. The time given us is extremely precious. It will never
return.
On earth, many people marry. When they are not happy with their marriage, they
separate. That is the common view of marriage. I said clearly that the term
Blessing refers to marriage. Had human beings not fallen during their period of
growth, as children of God they were to have received a marriage benediction
from Him. They would have attended God as the officiator of the ceremony.
However, due to their wrong beginning, which was marked by them marrying each
other on their own, God could not officiate their wedding ceremony. So although
on earth they could be a couple, in the eternity of the spirit world they could
not. They became strangers to each other.
Therefore, I want you to clearly remember that marriages on Earth do not last
eternally in the spirit world. It is ironic that people spend enormous amounts
of money for a ceremony that begins only a temporary marriage.
Here, what does the Blessing mean? Since you are living on earth in the flesh,
you are not only limited by time and space, but you also think of saving face or
checking others' mood so as not to hurt their feelings. Thus you must be
cautious about everything that you do. Regardless, I cannot help but be honest
in sharing everything, since this is such a precious opportunity given to me.
Reverend Sun Myung Moon not only blessed the four major religious founders, but
also Saint Augustine. Their wives are now living on earth. Can believers accept
this? If you do not, what can I do? The four major religious founders are united
in support of what Reverend Moon is doing. We now announce to the people on
earth that Reverend Moon directed us to convene a seminar of the four great
religious founders. Unlike at a formal seminar, we are gathered together like
family members enjoying the study of the Divine Principle. It is painful that we
have no place on earth with which to cooperate. It is because people are
stubborn, attached to their own beliefs and faiths.
Reverend Moon is walking his path despite his old age, shedding bloody tears and
sweat in his final years of dedication for humankind. Dear earthly people, what
then shall we do? Everyone should receive Reverend Moon's blessing. Then those
couples can dwell in the eternal place. They can live together, loving each
other for eternity, together with God as their Parent.
Dear people on Earth! If you truly want to remain as a couple with eternal love,
think again. If you are wandering within your own boundaries, the Kingdom of
Heaven will have nothing to do with you. Listen to Reverend Moon's messages. He
is crying out to you, burning his last ounce of energy in a bright light, in
order to break down the walls that separate us from one another and to make us
one in love. Confucius, who was blessed by him here in the spirit world, is
sending you this message with an earnest heart.
March 26, 2001
11.
What part of the Divine Principle would you most like to lecture?
I listened to Divine Principle lectures a number of times, because each time
my reception and understanding was different, depending on the internal
preparations and conditions that I made. If you study or listen to the Divine
Principle with the purpose of receiving a particular bit of knowledge, it may be
stimulating to your mind but it will not be helpful at all for your spiritual
growth.
I experienced many things while studying it and listening to it. Let me give you
some examples. One day, Mr. Eu was immersed in giving a lecture on the
incorporeal world in the Principle of Creation. In the middle of the lecture, I
saw a vision in which Mr. Eu was gone, and instead Reverend Moon was standing
there, perspiring. Each drop of his sweat transformed into blood and dripped
from his forehead. That blood was flowing onto the ground, and people who were
passing by wailed at that blood and prayed. This shocked me. Then, I saw Mr. Eu
giving the lecture again, but I could not listen to the lecture because I had
such an aching heart. Touched by the attitudes of the Unification Church members
who are desperate to convey the truth, I had to go through such torturous
experiences a number of times.
Dear earthly people, you cannot understand or even imagine life here in the
spirit world. How can I become a Divine Principle lecturer? Who could imitate
the endeavors and efforts of the Unification Church members? I feel that I am so
far away from them in my level of heart.
Let me give you one more example. During the seminar, Dr. Sang Hun Lee posed a
question to the four major religious founders and Saint Augustine. "Earthly
people remember you as ones who made great contributions to the world. If you
could return to earth, what is the first thing that you would do?" No one
opened his mouth. Or rather, no one could, because from his serious and heavy
facial expression, we knew that the purpose of his question was not to evoke our
answers. Dr. Lee's appearance was so sad that we could not even look straight at
his face. Again and again he was so astonished and moved, and we could not tell
his real feelings. His voice was always wet with tears and he could not recover
from fatigue. You might wonder, why does he live such a difficult life in a
place as beautiful as this? Yet from his expression I could see that he just
could not take a rest, being too anxious about reality.
Phenomena in the spirit world are invisible to the eyes of earthly people, but
they are real and substantial. When Dr. Lee was living on the Earth, Reverend
Moon taught him but he did not fully believe it. So he now feels responsible to
let people know about the spirit world and prove it to be real, especially while
Reverend Moon is still alive on the Earth. Nevertheless, countless earthly
people still treat it as if it were a story in a dream. Even Dr. Lee, when he
arrived in the spirit world, was agonized and surprised to learn that it is
real. This made him feel sorry and regretful that he was not the filial son that
he wanted to be. Thus, he worries incessantly about how he can let earthly
people know this truth.
Then he appealed to us: "Can you accept me as I am? I was a son who
violated the heart of the Parents of Heaven and Earth, committing many impious
sins. And now, even if I may be thrown into the fire like grass, I want to go
the way of filial piety. Please help me."
We religious founders just kept silent as we watched him praying in tears. We
often witnessed such scenes. Truly, Dr. Sang Hun Lee made us ache in our hearts.
His life itself moved us even more than his lectures. His testimonies about how
he could not help changing the direction of his life became great lessons for
us.
Thus observing the lives of those who have been living with the Divine Principle
all their lives, how could I dare say that I would like to become a Divine
Principle lecturer? I know that not just anyone can become one.
[Dr. Lee] Then, is there any subject on which you would like to give a lecture?
[Confucius] I have a dream and hope. Since I encountered the new truth, I do
want to be useful. I would like to give lectures on the Divine Principle in a
unique style that is appropriate to me. Will that day ever come? I do not know.
Until Reverend Moon comes to this world, I will do my best to study and prepare,
so that I might demonstrate my first lecture before him. For this, I welcome
your critiques. I have certain subjects about which I would like to give
lectures, but they are confidential. I would like to thoroughly practice these
lectures and offer them for Reverend Moon's inspection. I would like to learn
all the valuable lessons I can and share true love with humanity.
March 27, 2001
12.
What do you think about the many books you wrote on the Earth?
Of the questions of Dr. Sang Hun Lee gave me, this is the one I want least
to answer. It is so because all the books I wrote cannot help people after they
arrive in this world. Whenever I published a book, it contained my philosophy.
It was not easy to create it. However, as has been repeated several times, I did
not deeply understand the relationship between God and human beings, and so I
could not write about it in my books.
People cannot come to the spirit world with the knowledge, money, or power that
they accumulated on Earth. What is most important to God is the result we
brought, including how we lived, for what we lived, the life of faith we led and
so forth, in the position of His child.
I do not believe that my leaving many books that promote human knowledge and
intellect makes me a good child of God. Yet as the founder of a religion and one
of the four major religious founders, it is true that God treats me, Confucius,
very well. It seems that God graciously considers that my life benefited
humanity. While I did not deny God, one thing that I am ashamed of is that I did
not attain the idea that God and human beings are in the relationship of parent
and child, and are connected through heart in that special relationship. I am
ashamed that I could not leave even one book that teaches this. The common point
of the four great religious founders, other than Jesus, is that they did not
teach the relationship of parent and child between God and human beings. Thus
they caused Him to walk an even lonelier path.
When in the flesh, I focused mainly on how to live a good physical life. I
failed to prepare people for the spirit world and how they should live there. I
did not write any books about preparation for life in the spirit world, and that
pains me greatly.
Each second of time I have to give you for this report is so precious.
Therefore, I would like to convey a valuable message, whether to those who
follow my religion or others.
My concern is how earthly people will respond to my message. Nothing like this
has happened in history. We are now entering a wonderful time and environment
after the Coronation Ceremony for the Kingship of God brought us past the Old
Testament Age and the New Testament Age. The problem is that people on earth do
not yet know this. They should be grateful for the blessing that is being
bestowed upon them through a woman on earth. She is serving as a medium to
reveal heavenly secrets that introduce them to the new era. In this new era, God
and human beings can be united in a relationship of oneness like that of parent
and child. God so loves the world, and this woman is letting the world
understand the direction of God's providence at this time. Heaven and Earth can
become one and realize the ideal that was originally intended. I would like to
take this opportunity that might not come again, to share this message even if
people on earth do not believe me.
The books left by Confucius are valuable to earthly people, but they are useless
when people come to this world. This is a world where only those who are
prepared to live in the eternal world can meet me. Therefore, dear earthly
people, followers of Confucianism, if you truly appreciate the books written by
Confucius, please find the book that will prepare you for the eternal world. I
request this of you. This is a place where everyone without exception has to
come. This is a writing given to earthly people by Confucius.
March 29, 2001
13.
What would you like to do if you could return to Earth?
I have no desire to go back to live on Earth. This is so because I have now
found an eternal haven where I can live attending God as my Parent. What else
can be greater than this?
I know that it is not what Dr. Sang Hun Lee is trying get from me, so I will be
serious in answering his question.
The greatest happiness in this eternal world is to live with God, attending Him
as my Parent. For this purpose, Reverend Sun Myung Moon is striving on earth to
save humankind from sins and crimes. He wants to transform this world into the
world of peace through a movement of true love. This will extend from the
physical life to the spirit world, thus ultimately leading everyone to the
original homeland. However, people living in hell or low spiritual realms do not
know this. In order to fulfill this purpose and direction, the spirit world is
very active. Knowing the Divine Principle and God's purpose and direction, we
are to march forward in this direction as well.
For this, we four great religious founders have gone beyond our own past ways of
life and titles. Our concern is to work hard to fulfill God's will and purpose.
Are there not different denominations? There certainly are. During the
procession of the Buddha, Buddhists carry on an enormous amount of activity. Yet
the Buddha does not want it. Still, in order to restore them, he educates them
while treating them with kindness. Since we are not yet in the position where we
can attend God properly, we also face difficulties, as do earthly people.
However, all four major religious founders are united as one. Through what are
they united? They are united through a teaching, the truth. Although activities
in the spirit world are not easy, it is wonderful that the four major religious
founders are united as one. It was possible only because of the special
thoughtfulness of Reverend Sun Myung Moon. He is the one who gave us the
Blessing and opened our way to the new truth.
Thus, although I cannot return to the Earth in a physical body, if I could, I am
sure there are things that I would like to do. I would like to praise and exalt
the Lord. Although Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey, instead of using a
donkey, I would like him to use me to carry him on my back, dancing around and
traveling throughout Asia. I would like to throw a huge feast upon our arrival
in China, our last destination.
Confucius would like to be recognized by the Lord as the greatest lecturer of
the Divine Principle and Unification Thought. I would memorize all of the
contents. I would like to realize this dream both on earth and in spirit world.
I would like to toil hard for the fulfillment of God's will on Earth.
In summary, human beings attain their goals through all kinds of means and
methods, but even if they do, that success is useless once they come here. Other
than the life of attending God, nothing is useful. Once earthly people know this
path, life on earth will not need to be complex with many paths. Accepting the
truth that Reverend Sun Myung Moon revealed, if you live in accordance with it,
you will come straight here. Given that life on earth is not eternal, why do you
choose such a complicated life? Life is simple if you attend God as your Parent
and follow His truth. My request is bold. It is so because I am confident. I
hope that earthly people with wisdom will make the right choice.
April 2, 2001
1.
Jesus' Message to Christians and All People on Earth
Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem, is using this opportunity to send this new
message to people on Earth, including the Jews who are still waiting for the
coming of the Messiah. Whether Christian or non-Christian, people know my name,
Jesus.
The heart of Jesus who is sending this message to the Earth is complex and
perplexing. I feel sad that I cannot summarize and convey my message in a few
words. In particular, I know that Christians will doubt the message rather than
believe it. However, as a person who came to the Earth with the mission of
saving the world as the Messiah in the New Testament Age, since the time to
reveal the truth has arrived, I am telling you the truth before Heaven and
Earth.
I came to Earth with the mission from God to be the Messiah. In the Bible I
could not reveal all of the conflicts between the religious believers and
non-believers in those days. In fact, there are many providential matters that
the Bible does not reveal. With the flow of each providential age, God could not
avoid changing His immediate plan. I am revealing clearly a part of this hidden
providential content to the numerous clergy who have been waiting for the Lord's
return.
God created human beings to need a physical body during their earthly life. Once
they lose it, they go to the spirit world and live there for eternity. Dear
saints who are waiting for my return, why don't you pay attention to the fact
that God gives dual prophecies in the Bible [blessings for those who follow His
will, curses for those who disobey His will]? I came to Earth as the Messiah in
the New Testament Age. What do you think is the meaning of the crucifixion? Do
you really think that it was God's will from the beginning, or could it have
been the result of human error? Have you thoroughly studied my life? I certainly
came with the mission of the Messiah, yet I lived eating and sleeping like any
other man on Earth. Even though I lived as an ordinary human being, my mission
as the Messiah was unique. To state the conclusion, the way of redemption
through my crucifixion was not God's original intention.
Dear Christians and all people on Earth, please pray over this matter while
fasting. Then I will appear to you and clearly tell you the truth. When you do
it, you should be totally focused on praying with a pure heart. Reverend Sun
Myung Moon is the one who came to Earth to complete my mission that was not
fulfilled through the redemption of the cross. He comes as the True Parent to
conclude God's providence in the Completed Testament Age.
I came with the mission of the Messiah in the New Testament, but people at that
time crucified me. That is why there remained a task for God to fulfill, and the
necessity of a Second Coming. The Messiah in the New Testament Age brought
salvation to people in the spirit. Still, history continued with the homework of
physical salvation remaining to be fulfilled. Wandering in the alleys of
grievance, suffering, sorrow and pain, God endured endless tension and pressure
while He waited to send the Messiah again to Earth. After separating good and
evil in order to prepare his lineage, God could send Reverend Sun Myung Moon.
You know where I was born; it was in a manger. Do you know what the heart of
Mary was like at that moment? Dear fellow Christians, could you easily
understand it from reading the Bible? Have you not struggled over some
incomprehensible events or insoluble questions? How could you understand my
heart, when I could not fully reveal all the secrets of heaven? How could you
understand the intricacies of the providence, when so much was not recorded in
the Bible? Why was the womb of Mary, Joseph's fiancˇe, growing large? You
cannot understand all the secrets that have been veiled during the providence of
restoration. Since human beings are children of God, God cannot help but love
them. It is also difficult for you to fathom the heart of God.
Reverend Sun Myung Moon is the returning Messiah for whom you have been waiting
and waiting. He inherited my mission at the age of 16. Dear Christians, are you
still looking up and waiting for Christ to return on the clouds? Reverend Moon
travels throughout the world on the clouds. He is investing all of his heart and
soul for the realization of world peace. Even today, although he is over 80
years old, he is fighting on the frontline.
Are you going to hang him on the cross again, like the Romans who persecuted me
2,000 years ago? Aren't you aware of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah? God
is love. He is waiting. Please receive the Messiah who has descended in the
Completed Testament Age. Do not reject his achievements and his dispensation for
the salvation of humanity. Pray with sincerity. I, Jesus, will be with you in
your earnest prayers.
I sincerely wish that Christians would reflect deeply upon the circumstances
when I, the Messiah of the New Testament Age, was crucified. I hope they pray
about my life and about God's view on human salvation.
Think about the circumstances that I could not be married even though I was 33.
Think of how my 12 disciples and I often went hungry. My life was filled with
grievances. Christians surmise that everything that happened to me was the will
of God. However, think whether there was any responsibility on the part of human
beings. I came as the Messiah and the Son of Man. As the begotten Son of God, I
did my very best to fulfill my messianic mission, but I could not fully
accomplish my dreams and desires. Had my will been entirely fulfilled, would it
be necessary for me to return?
Dear fellow Christians and religious believers, I am truly the Messiah. However,
the one who returned to fulfill the messianic mission today is Reverend Sun
Myung Moon. He is the Second Advent of the Lord. Think of the question John the
Baptist asked me, when I was being hounded as a ringleader of heretics:
"Are you the one who is to come?" How do you now see Reverend Moon?
Think of the flow of time and examine the incredible achievements he has
wrought. Could he do this by human power and ability alone?
Jesus who died physically cannot come back to physical life and appear to you.
Human flesh is to return to the earth as dust, once it gives up the spirit. That
is the truth and a heavenly law. Read again the Bible verse that states that
people will rise from the tombs. God is the Author of science and mathematics as
the Being of the Principle. The theory that a dead body that decomposed will be
reassembled and float in the air assumes that God can do anything and
everything. However, to have God violate His own Being is extremely
contradictory! You cannot solve questions that way. Look at the world of nature.
Look at the process of human growth and the design of human life. God and human
beings are in a relationship of parent and child. You will have to experience
the heart of God now, who has been leading the providence of salvation for
humankind so patiently. What if you Christians could see me right now, sitting
and talking with Buddha, whom you consider to be an idol worshipper? What would
you think of me?
Dear fellow Christians, fellow Buddhists, and believers of various religions!
The four great religious founders, Jesus, Buddha, Confucius, and Mohammed, and
saints such as Socrates, Augustine and others, have already held this seminar a
number of times. Its theme is always the same: "God is the Parent of All
Humankind." During the seminars, we are always studying the Divine
Principle revealed by Reverend Moon. We analyze and discuss it in depth.
That is the homework given us by God, who carefully observes all the activities
of Reverend Moon on Earth. God has also directed that the major religious
leaders in the spirit world unite and cooperate with earthly people for the
salvation of humankind.
We religious founders have no barriers among us. We are united as one, through
the Messiah who appears on Earth in the Completed Testament Age and gives
rebirth to all humankind as the children of God. We are praying about and
discussing how to create one world centered on God. The conflicts and
confrontations often seen among religious people are resolved here in the spirit
world. It took long time for this to happen, to persuade people to understand
one ultimate truth: the Creator of human beings is God alone. Likewise, in order
to bring peace on Earth, it will be necessary to break down the barriers among
all religions on Earth.
Earthly leaders of each religion should discuss the commonalities and
differences among their different faiths. Together they should choose the
strongest points from each, while showing the virtue of humility before others.
Would non-believers not be guided in the right direction by following their
example? I hope that all religious followers, especially Christians, can unite
as one, and that I can meet them all in one place.
The fact that Jesus from Bethlehem in Judea could send a message to earthly
people is due to the benefit of the age wrought with the arrival of the
Completed Testament Age. Reverend Sun Myung Moon is the master of this era
because he is the Messiah of the Second Coming.
What will you do with him? Are you going to put him on the stand for judgment?
Are you going to hang him, as I was hung 2,000 years ago? Are you willing to
pray and fast about this? I hope that you will make a wise decision as a
religious follower. I send this message to earthly people with a desire to teach
people about my responsibility as Jesus, the Messiah of the New Testament Age.
April 5, 2001
2.
The Buddha's Message to Buddhists and Believers in Other Religions
I would like to send a last message to religious people on Earth, especially
to Buddhists. As was mentioned by Jesus, as the representatives of each major
religion, we four religious founders are making efforts for world peace and the
salvation of humankind. This may not be comprehensible to earthly people. In the
spirit world, the four major religious founders and other saints and sages are
often gathered together for seminars, where we have no confrontations or
conflicts with each other.
Before coming to the seminars, we were individually educated in the Divine
Principle and other subjects, having attended several workshops. Was it easy to
create such a gathering of the founders of religions? It was possible only after
many prayers and special conditions, with thorough and repeated reviews and
analysis. Now through these seminars, we can discuss things as members of the
same family. We have no conflicts based on religious prejudices. Whenever we are
gathered for this purpose, God embraces us with a splendid light and slowly
leaves us in a friendly atmosphere, joyfully looking at us.
Dear Buddhists, even Jesus testified that he came with a messianic mission in
the New Testament Age. What I did was similar. According to the Bible, the
Completed Testament Age is to arrive after the Old Testament Age and the New
Testament Age. Whenever a certain providential period arrived, God led a new
dispensation through a new central figure.
Although my path as the Buddha was not in the mainstream of God's providence, it
is undeniable that I strove to guide people to goodness. Further, I believe that
encouraging Buddhists to keep their celibacy while waiting for the right time to
arrive was quite effective for their spiritual training and cultivation, even if
it was not the direct way to God. From the perspective of Christian history, the
time of the Buddha was like the Old Testament Age. It may be unfamiliar, but
during that time the benefit of the age for human salvation could not go any
further. Buddha lived on earth during that time period, and his teachings were
quite influential.
Dear Buddhists, I am not saying that your way of life thus far has been wrong.
Like Jesus, in my time I also did my best to guide humankind in the right
direction. However, with the passing of time, the tasks needed for the salvation
of humankind have changed. What I am trying to do is to engraft the fruit of
Buddhists who were raised through my methods of spiritual cultivation. Please
study the Unification Principle. You will find there a considerable number of
truths that also flow through the teachings of Buddhism. Do not be immersed in
old-fashioned ideas and concepts, but by accepting the new truth, engraft it to
the truth of Buddhism. Then, I am sure that a wonderful passage of faith will
open to you.
In this age Reverend Sun Myung Moon is the Buddha for whom you have been
waiting. Make a special condition as a Buddhist at a shrine. It is time for you
to be true to the highest standard of Buddhist integrity. Do not reject the new
Buddha, who is to come in the Completed Testament Age. Do not reject his truth.
Demonstrate the virtue of compassion as practiced by numerous Buddhists who have
cultivated their spirituality. Do not look for faults in others, but act with
humility and prudence. What is truth? Depending on the historical era, the
direction for human beings can change. Look at the world of nature. All things
God created can change in color and size, depending on the environment, but the
species remain the same. Who can quell the voice of the original mind, through
which human beings are striving to lead a life of faith? However, depending on
the sound of the voice of the original mind, the mode of human life vary,
bringing different aspects of joy to God.
Therefore, do not be fixed on an old-fashioned idea. Expand the horizon of your
ideas and views. If I told you Jesus and Buddha are getting along as brothers,
you Buddhists would not believe me. However, I cannot help it. God wants us to
work together as one. In your opinion, what would Jesus call Buddha? He calls
him "Honored Buddha" with a smile and a soft voice, always being
humble. Once Buddha speaks, he always responds positively, with a bright and
cheerful expression, saying: "Yes, right," "That is
correct," and "Let's do it."
Dear fellow
Buddhists and Christians, as Heaven and Earth are united as one, bringing the
world of peace, should the Earth not be united as well? Let us be unified by the
new truth in this new era. Reverend Sun Myung Moon is leading the Completed
Testament Age, and he is the Buddha to come. This is the conclusion drawn in
these seminars of the four major religious founders. Let us now liberate God, by
bringing oneness between Buddhism and Christianity.
April 6, 2001
3.
Confucius' Message to Confucianists and All People on Earth
When human beings live in the flesh, in order to sustain their physical life
they decide on certain norms and live within that boundary. Human beings did not
know better, being limited by their physical senses. They tried to cope with
problems within limited boundaries, by seeing and hearing what appeared to be
reality. Although the four major religious founders thoroughly reveal the
contents they learned in these seminars, since they are invisible to the eyes of
earthly people, they cannot readily accept it as real.
However, the four major religious founders and other saints and sages here
struggled more than anyone else for the salvation of humankind. Other than Jesus
they may not be messiahs, but they willingly denied their physical comfort for
the sake of humanity. Never taking life lightly, they are the ones who
proclaimed the truth and sought to teach it to people, guiding them to a better
life. Such are the individuals gathered together here.
Even after they offered their physical body, they cared for and cherished their
followers on Earth as themselves. Because they endeavored and toiled so hard to
guide them to a better direction, they are qualified to attend these gatherings.
As was already stated by Jesus and Buddha, the spirit world here is truly
harmonious. Jesus introduced himself before the Buddhist participants and said:
"Since we are gathered together, let us have worship in both the Christian
way and the Buddhist way. And let us talk about our views on the life of
faith." Likewise, Buddha offered a full bow to the Christians at the
gathering and humbly said, "Thank you for giving me a chance to greet
you." These two great founders then exhorted everyone to reconcile with
each other despite some differences in their beliefs. Then some noise arose from
a corner of that gathering. Jesus said in a gentle voice: "Dear brothers
and sisters, we all are children of God and therefore brothers and sisters to
each other. And it is time for us to show God harmony among us." The
atmosphere calmed down and turned solemn. Then, God appeared as light. He
swirled quietly in the beginning and later transformed the entire area into
brightness. Everyone there was taken aback with surprise and mesmerized by its
splendor. They did not know what to do.
During our seminars, God frequently demonstrated His thoughtfulness. I believe
that such meetings will continue. We believe that through gatherings among the
four great religious founders and other saints and sages, all power struggles
among religions and denominations will disappear. Then the doors to the truth
will open to all people from different backgrounds.
Dear Confucianists, how can I help you? In the world there are various races,
religions, cultural backgrounds and customs that change depending on the
situation. Despite that, all people have one thing in common: our human
identity. Regardless of whether we are white, black, or yellow, once a person
goes to a hospital, the method of treatment is identical for the same ailment.
It is so because the human anatomic structure is does not vary with race. What
does this mean? It means that we all have the same Creator. There is only one
Creator, who is God. God is our Parent. If we attend Him, all will be well.
Nevertheless, why
is everything so complicated? Ever since the wrong beginning of human history,
different religions have arisen. The unification of religions is therefore
necessary, and for this purpose God sent Reverend Sun Myung Moon to the Earth.
He does not say that the religious doctrines taught by each religion are wrong,
but presents one simple truth that everyone can unite with. Yet each religion
still insists that their teaching alone is correct and the only right way. That
is why things became so complicated. So I believe that we desperately need to
yield to each other with a willingness to accept others. No matter how noisy it
is on Earth, the representatives from the major religions are tightly bonded
here. Bonded by what? There is only one truth. All of us have resolved that we
will live with God, attending Him as our Parent. What then will my followers on
Earth do? It is not difficult to guess.
Dear Buddhists! Your greatest teacher is attending God as the Parent of all
humankind. God is your great Maitreya Buddha. Thus, you should no longer dwell
in self-centeredness, but instead, examining your daily life on Earth, live in
preparation for your future life here in the spirit world.
Humankind is one people and one tribe. Reverend Sun Myung Moon was sent to
attend only one God and teach His heavenly law. Find out what he is doing for
human liberation, despite the fact that he is over 80.
Dear earthly people! The place you will dwell for eternity is here in the spirit
world. Earthly life is nothing but a temporary training center. During the
harvest time, only good grain will be stored. Thus you should live a mature
life. Dear followers of Confucius, please consult the messages from Jesus,
Buddha, Confucius, and other saints and sages, and make a wise decision for your
future life.
April 7, 2001
4.
Muhammad's Message for Muslims and People on Earth
When God created human beings, each individual was to be an object of joy to
Him. However, against His original will, due to the fall of the first human
ancestors, from the beginning human history flowed in a wrong direction. Races
divided, religions arose, and different cultures developed depending on the
living environment. Nevertheless, the Creator of all human beings is only one,
God. How painful His heart must be when He looks at the divisions of humankind
into many races, religions and cultures. God is the Parent of all humanity, but
when He has to watch His children fighting everyday, arguing over who is right
and who is wrong, how must He feel? Earthly people do not know the overall
direction and flow of God's providence, nor the relationship between God and
human beings, and that is why there has been no harmony among religions for a
long time.
God is the Parent of humanity. If examined carefully, the original source of all
doctrine or truth is one. What religion would teach people to revere evil.
Although their methods might differ, their fundamental purpose is to pursue
goodness. Because God is the original being of absolute goodness and love, and
every religion teaches about love.
Therefore, the fundamental teachings of each religion are quite similar. Now
God's basic desires are to bring the truths and doctrines of all religions
together and unite them as one. When it is done, God can finally rest. After
countless days of waiting, God finally sent Reverend Sun Myung Moon for this
purpose. Through him, the Unification Principle was revealed for the sake of the
unification of all religions.
Dear Muslims, you too were born as children of God. I hope that you will unite
in one thought. The reason is simple. The only God wants that unification. God
at the time of Muhammad and God in this era is the same God, who is our
unchanging Parent. Now is the time when we should be able to enjoy one
brotherhood and realize world peace. God desires it all the time.
The possibility of world peace is remote without the unification of religions.
Dear Muslims, Muhammad is petitioning you. Do not employ our own unique faith
and doctrines to cause pain to other religious believers, but accept everyone
with open arms and open hearts. By so doing, open doors to conversations on
doctrines and join together. The four major religious founders have united in
one thought and idea. Jesus accepted Buddha, and vice-versa. We personally
experienced God who is rejoicing to see us at the same seminar. Through that
experience, we resolved to remain united as one.
Reverend Sun Myung Moon came to the Earth in order to deliver God's will and to
unite a divided and scattered humankind. He appears as the True Parent. I hope
that my followers will also accept him with a humble attitude.
The one whom you have been attending is God. When you work with other religious
believers after accepting God's love, both God and Muhammad will praise you.
And please read thoroughly the Unification Principle in a quiet place. Muhammad
opened his heart all the way, after realizing from the seminar that its teaching
is a true guide to human life. I know that you cannot do it overnight. However,
if it is a path that everyone must go, I hope that none of you will fail in
choosing the right and straightest way for your life.
April 9, 2001
5.
Message of Socrates to Intellectuals
After the senators in Athens betrayed me, I often thought that it would have
been nice if human life could have been valued and cherished more than my
theories that so disturbed the citizens. Human life should not be judged by what
is visible. Even the smallest creature was created with the loving care of God's
hands. If so, how precious and valuable human beings must be as children created
with all of God's heart and soul, the masterpieces of all creation!
Although created as children of God, human beings have lived without knowing it.
Think of the relationship between parents and children on Earth. When they are
apart from each other, how much do they long with aching hearts to see each
other? Parents and children should live in happiness, sharing love and
conversation in the same family. Even God desires to live like that. God, the
Creator of human beings, is the original source of love and heart itself. Yet
since the creation, due to the wrong direction the first human ancestors took,
the relationship between God and human beings has been severed. Under those
circumstances, what has been the heart of God?
Dear intellectuals! You know Socrates is a man who was betrayed by the jury in
Athens. The pain and sorrow that I experienced from that injustice was
indescribable. After coming to God, however, I discovered Someone who was
mistreated more than me, bearing more chagrin and grievances. It is because
human beings did not know their relationship with God. What could be more
grievous, lamentable and unfair? Human beings have not known their own Parent,
nor the love by which He has been dearly caring for them, nor the pain He has
had to endure for so long as He waited for His children to return. When I
realized this, my sorrow was beyond words.
Dear intellectuals! Between parents and children, is there boasting about
knowledge and academic position? The most important thing to us is to restore
and maintain the parent and child relationship. Its value is greater than the
discovery of any academic theories. Would Socrates not know how important it is
for human beings, especially intellectuals, to have a position in worldly
society? Regardless, remember that attending your Parent well is so important.
In fact, it cannot be compared with anything else. What else could be needed
other than God? When we say, "God is my Parent and I am His child," it
means that the relationship bonded in blood lineage bestows the greatest
position.
Dear intellectuals! Physical bodies are required only during earthly life. So it
is with your knowledge and academic position. Therefore, even in preparing to
register here for your future life, you need to be equipped with inner
knowledge. Being so ignorant, while intoxicated by your academic skill, if you
suddenly separate from your flesh body, where will your spirit go? This is a
serious matter to consider. Remember that another world definitely exists, and
your spirit will live there for eternity.
Accordingly, unprepared spirits cannot stay here. Have you ever seen beggars on
the street? Lacking their own home, they stay anywhere on the streets. Likewise,
you should prepare your haven in the spirit world. External knowledge and
academic status were important to me during my earthly life, but more than these
I pursued human beings' inner spiritual life and the truth of philosophy.
You cannot imagine how much time I invested for this. Since I unceasingly sought
human beings' inner truth, not the momentary life on earth, I was granted this
position as the representative of all intellectuals and people who prize reason
above all. How can there not be awards given for the conscious endeavors one
makes to come to the eternal world? The fruit of your hard work, effort and
investment is borne here, in the dwelling place of eternal happiness.
I had to pass numerous tests before I could send this message. What were they?
Here in this world as on Earth, people have various ways of life. As on Earth
there are also many different religious entities. One day I attended a seminar
for intellectuals, during which I listened to a lecture on the Divine Principle
with the theme: "The Path for Intellectuals to Go." I encountered a
new truth, one that was awakening me to the fundamentals of life. Yet since I
was being transformed into a new person so drastically, my pride was hurt. Many
times I shook my head, trying to deny the new truth that I was hearing. I also
hoped that it was not true. Then, when I discovered from where such an
incredible truth originated, conflicts and friction arose in my heart. I was
ashamed of myself, for I felt my dignity and authority as an intellectual were
being totally stripped away. However, what can I do about the truth? Truth is
truth no matter what. After realizing this, I gave up on my intellect and pride.
I decided to invest everything into this truth. I had to pass that test before I
came to send this message to intellectuals on Earth.
Dear intellectuals! Even if I were to mobilize all of my intelligence and
reason, how would it compare with that of God? Would God have created all things
randomly, without any plan? Even if I could sell my intelligence and abilities,
I could not purchase those belonging to God. No matter how great the power of
science, can natural law be changed? God Himself is the Master of science. The
mightiness and divinity of God that Socrates discovered cannot be described in
words.
That is not all. The lady who is taking down my message is an earthly person,
but I am a spirit dwelling in the spirit world. Can you intellectuals understand
this? Such communication is also possible only due to the power and ability of
God. Since the time is ripe, God is allowing me to reveal heavenly secrets to
earthly people so that they can be guided to the right place in the future.
Here in the spirit world, resolution of difficulties comes simply because people
here have already verified and understood the situation of God. Their directions
are also the same, consistent with that of God. However, on Earth things are
very complicated, simply because there is no agreement on what is the right
direction.
Dear intellectuals! God is toiling hard to guide His children in the right
direction, mobilizing various methods. Ladies and gentlemen, have you ever seen
God? He is invisible and formless. Nevertheless, His single-minded desire to
restore His lost children is unchanging even after many thousands of years. That
is why He sent Reverend Sun Myung Moon to Earth on His behalf, and presented us
with the Divine Principle. He wants us to determine the right direction to take
in our lifetime. The book Exposition of the Divine Principle was not written by
a human brain or deduced by human reason. It is a book of salvation that was
discovered through Reverend Moon's bloody battles against Satan. He verified
every single thing in the book as truth from God. It contains everything. Read
it carefully. Your intellect is able to analyze how much your spirit is
awakened, and you will be able to realize the direction you should take in your
life.
Dear intellectuals! Who are the people whom you should most highly respect as
great? Ask and answer that question yourself. They will very likely be people
who left behind something valuable on Earth. Yet so far, there have not been
great people who willingly took responsibility for the next life in the spirit
world. Reverend Sun Myung Moon, on behalf of God, is guiding us toward an
eternal passage to peace. Through his mission he awakens our spirit. Then he is
willing to be responsible for our life in the next world.
Study him and try to find teachers greater than he, comparing them. If you
cannot find any earthly persons who are greater than he, what will you do? You
are in a serious position at a serious time, and you are required to make a
serious decision in your life. Life is not long, but the next world absolutely
exists. Don't you think that it is wise for you to meet a true teacher and be
prepared for the next life, by studying what he teaches?
God does not need your knowledge or intelligence. Only humble people can be with
God. By learning His great and profound truth and digesting it as your own, you
should be able to be more than a beggar when you come to this world in the
future. The highest intellectuals should be among those who can attend God as
their Parent. In fact, only such individuals can be considered the highest
intellectuals.
April 10, 2001
6.
Saint Augustine's Message to Christians and Other Religious Believers
I, Augustine, desired to stand in the highest position, second to none in
serving God. However, I ended up in a shameful and foolish position. I failed to
attend God as my Parent, but only served God as the highest Being. I was unable
even to dream about the parent-child relationship between God and human beings.
As a result, I realize that my faith and thought have but little value before
Him.
Dear Christians and other religious believers who are working hard on Earth! I
hope that you can come to a clear realization now, after reading the messages of
the four major religious founders. The four major religious founders and other
saints and sages like myself hold gatherings periodically. The purpose of
holding these gatherings of major religious leaders is to convey God's thoughts
to all humankind, who are still divided on various levels.
Earthly people might think that Jesus will visit only Christians, but it is not
so. Representatives of each religion already transcended their religions and
exchanged their views on each other's teachings and doctrines. They reached the
conclusion that all religions must unite as one. After visiting different
religious organizations, sharing dialogues with other religious followers and
attending their services, the four major religious founders and other saints and
sages held a seminar to discuss their experiences at each other's religious
gatherings. They presented many themes and discussed them in an amicable
atmosphere.
At this point, let me share with you a very interesting incident. Jesus was
deeply immersed in the Buddha's words, and he conveyed those words verbatim at a
gathering of Buddhists. Then they asked him: "You are the founder of
Christianity, so why are you conveying the teaching of our teacher?" Jesus'
answer was even more interesting: "I just was testing whether I also could
be a Buddha." The people who were gathered laughed together. Jesus truly
did not have any greed or personal desires. It seems that Jesus moved the
Buddhists by his simple wish to be a Son of God, with such a humble and innocent
attitude.
Dear religious believers! Truth is eternal. It is only one. It is because there
is only one God and He is the original entity of truth. God is the Parent of
humankind and we are His children. Under that premise, what is the purpose of
having numerous religions? Summarizing the core of truths that are taught by
each religion, I see that their final destination is the same. They have the
same direction. I would never think of asking each religion to discard its
strong points. I am simply supporting God's wish that they unite as one under
the same purpose. God should feel joy when He sees many children. But if they
are fighting against each other, would His heart not ache? When children are
getting along in harmony, God's Holy Spirit will dwell with them.
The four major religious founders and other saints and sages came to a final
conclusion at the seminar. They resolved, "Let us love one another and
become one." We believe that if we first become one in the spirit world,
then our followers on the Earth also will become one. Unless religions are
united as one, God's heart cannot be comfortable. Peace for all humanity can be
realized if we apply God's teaching.
Dear religious followers! Please keep in mind the messages of the four major
religious founders and the other saints and sages. Such a golden time will not
come to you again. Do you think that heavenly secrets like these can be conveyed
to people on Earth continuously? Such is a special chance has been granted by
the consideration of God. Through this opportunity, I hope that you will realize
the essence and basics of faith and stand rightfully in the position of God's
children.
I have one last request of you. Numerous Christians and religious followers on
Earth, there is a teacher who is walking the path of a martyr for world peace.
He is Reverend Sun Myung Moon. So please receive him wholeheartedly and
sincerely. The four major religious founders and the other saints and sages
firmly believe that he is the Messiah. They are resolved to go the path of that
teacher. Toward this end, we have resolved among ourselves to go in one
direction, making efforts to love and respect one another beyond religions and
denominations.
We too are teaching Reverend Moon's thought, because it is the path to world
peace and truth. Dear religious believers! Do not fight. Become one in harmony.
God will be with you at the place where you unite as one.
April 10, 2001