Remembering Father Moon
DP Life shares the teachings and perspective of the Divine Principle, an unprecedented worldview and integrated principle that’s given insight, power and purpose to people around the world. It seeks to unify all peoples and religions, and those who practice the Divine Principle call themselves Unificationists.
On August 30, 2015, DP Life and Unificationists around the world celebrate the third anniversary of the ascension of our founder—Rev. Sun Myung Moon. Father Moon not only taught the Divine Principle, but lived it every day of his life, and we have no doubt that he continues to exemplify the same determination, enthusiasm and love in the spirit world as he did during his 92 years on earth.
Though we know that death isn’t the end, that it’s simply a passage into the next life, the event can still be bittersweet. We will always miss the presence of our loved ones who’ve passed, and yet, we understand that an ascension (or Seonghwa, in Father Moon’s native language of Korean) is actually a time of celebration. The Seonghwa ceremony, which Unificationists practice for all their ascended loved ones, is a chance to honor and celebrate a person’s life.
This week, we celebrate Father Moon, his larger than life personality, incredible life and wide-reaching legacy, even though we miss him. A lot.
Since the time of his passing, Unificationists from around the world have continued to strive toward accomplishing Father Moon’s vision and building the world of peace that he envisioned. In just the last few months leading up to this anniversary, some truly inspiring and groundbreaking initiatives have taken place. The Peace Road flag made its way around the world as hundreds of bikers, walkers, drivers and onlookers spread the vision of a peace highway that would connect the major continents. This was a long-standing dream of Father Moon, and the Peace Road flag will cross the finish line in Korea next week in conjunction with the Seonghwa anniversary celebration.
The memorial service will also feature the Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony (kind of like the Nobel Prize), a performance by the Universal Peace Choir (a virtual, international choir) and the finished translation of the Holy Scriptures, messages by Father and Mother Moon. Young leaders from the recently held Top Gun Workshop will also be among the attendees at the memorial. Top Gun was created from the inspiration of Mother Moon—Father Moon’s wife who is still here with us today—as a way for young Unificationists to inherit Father Moon’s message and to carry out his vision.
Mother Moon has been a shining example of her husband’s legacy. Her loving guidance, especially for young people, has been a great blessing. As we look back now on the last three years and the life of Father Moon, we also look forward to continuing to build his legacy. Whether you knew Father Moon or not, you can be a part of the legacy too. Imagine if everyone in the world devoted a moment—even just a few minutes—to reflect on and take on just a small fragment of accomplishing the dream for world peace, be it in the realm of culture, sports, business, health care, international relations, or even just our family at home. How amazing would that be? How might it change the world? We invite you to be a part of that vision.