[HWPL Peace Education] Religious Leaders Around the World Unite Through the Religious Peace Academy

 Hello! I hope this year becomes a year when wars around the world come to an end, and peace takes root!

What do you think is necessary to achieve world peace? Of course, it won't be just one thing but rather a combination of various elements.

I believe that "peace among religions" is truly important. This is because over 70% of conflicts around the world stem from religious disputes. In this reality, a private peace organization called Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (hereafter 'HWPL') has been taking the lead in fostering peace among religions through its pioneering efforts.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the groundbreaking example of HWPL's efforts for peace among religions: the International Religious Peace Academy (hereafter 'IRPA'). Along with interviews from participants of IRPA, we will also explore how the program is conducted. 

What is 'IRPA'?

IRPA is a program where various religious leaders give lectures on their sacred texts, allowing participants to gain not only a basic understanding of different religions but also to learn more comprehensive and in-depth content.

“Many religious leaders, representatives of various religions, and attendees from different denominations have registered for HWPL's IRPA, connecting and listening to each other's voices. As a result, individuals' positive attitudes have increased, and religious conflicts have decreased. The positive effects are powerful and tremendous.”

- Enkhbayar Jargalsaikhan, Monk of Sain Nomun Monastery, Mongolia -

The above statement is a reflection shared by a religious leader who participated in the 1st HWPL IRPA.

As mentioned in the interview, the reactions of the religious leaders who participated in the IRPA were truly remarkable. Religious leaders, who had previously closed their ears and rejected each other's faiths, came together in one place and began to communicate.

HWPL conducted the IRPA online lectures three times every Saturday over a four-week period from July 8 to 29, 2023. Religious leaders from five different faiths—Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism—delivered lectures based on their respective sacred texts. Approximately 1,388 religious leaders from 108 countries participated in the program.

A HWPL official stated, "In the future, we will continue to hold the IRPA to help restore the true meaning of religion, so that religion can become a tool for love and understanding, rather than a source of conflict." IRPA is still being conducted in various countries around the world today.

I hope that through various religious programs in the future, religion will restore its true meaning, becoming a tool for love and understanding rather than a source of conflict, and that more and more religious people will practice this.