[Spread the Love-1]
The Bell of World Peace and Love Spread Love Globally, Bringing the Butterfly Effect of Goodwill Worldwide
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased humanity's awareness that the world is a community of life. With the gradual unblocking of various countries in 2023, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men and President of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), has led a delegation of Goodwill Culture to Washington, DC, Turkey, and New York, where several Bell Ringing Ceremonies were held and 51 world leaders have rung the bell and made a wish in just over two months. Together, they prayed for the world and directed the international response to the fourth United Nations International Day of Conscience. Dr. Hong presented the FOWPAL Mini Golden Bell to the bell ringers in recognition of their contributions to promoting peace and enhancing human well-being, as well as their collaboration with FOWPAL. The winners included the former President of Romania, Emil Constantinescu, as well as NGO leaders, etc.
In 2023, with the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, international interactions are returning to normal. FOWPAL hosted the World Leader Summit of Love and Peace and a bell ringing ceremony on the evening of February 1 with 13 influential leaders ringing the bell, including USCIRF member Mohamed Magid. Dr. Hong presented the first miniature Bell of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL Mini Golden Bell for short) to Bobby Hunter and Dr. Agorom C. Dike. The Bell inherits the spirit and design of the “Bell of World Peace and Love.”
The first “Bell of World Peace and Love” was cast in 2000 and weighed 240 kilograms. The body of the bell was engraved with noble dragons, phoenixes, auspicious lions, and qilin, as well as the auspicious meaning “peace, harmony, prosperity, and safety”. The “Declaration of World Peace and Love” was engraved on the top of the bell, symbolizing the blessing of love and peace. As part of a worldwide tour to advocate love and peace, the Peace Bell has visited five continents with a FOWPAL delegation. In 2000, President Nathan of Singapore became the first bell ringer in the world. Ringing the “Bell of World Peace and Love” symbolizes a kind of willingness and action. The person who rings the bell makes a promise of love and peace for himself, the world, and future generations. Many bell ringers exerted positive influence at critical moments of the world's destiny. These three presidents, including President Fernandez of Dominica, President Menes of Sao Tome and Principe, and President Wade of Senegal, realized their wishes they made when ringing the bell of World Peace and Love. They resolved conflicts and stopped wars with wisdom, fulfilling their commitment to a stable world and sustainable development! To date, 502 visionary leaders from 133 nations have rung the bell, including 59 heads of state and seven Nobel Peace Prize laurates.
The event, with the theme of “Awakening Conscience and Amplifying the Power of Hope for Global Peace, Security, and Sustainability,” brought together conscientious leaders from all walks of life to share their ideas, experiences, and wishes for love and peace. Dr. E. Faye Williams, a United Nations Peace Ambassador, an accomplished attorney, entrepreneur, civic leader and activist, studied at several universities and earned three PhDs. She rang the Bell and stated, “the world is in chaos; it is my wish for every war to end, that we all will work for justice for everyone so that we will finally know world peace.”
Dr. Hong presented for the first time the miniature Bells of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL Mini Golden Bell for short) to encourage the bell ringers’ dedication to world peace. Bobby Hunter, the chairman of the United Churches and a retired member of the world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters and one of the 50 finest players in the Rucker Pro League. “We wish to join you. We love you,” said Bobby Hunter while ringing the bell in 2022. As chairman of the United Churches, Bobby Hunter represents 20,000 churches. He said, “The idea of the United Churches Fighting for your rights is to bring everybody together with love and peace so that we can protect ourselves.”
Dr. Agorom C. Dike, founder and President of the Caribbean and African Faith-Based Leadership Conference (CAFBLC) and CEO of ACD International, has a long history of promoting humanitarian and interfaith dialogue and encouraging faith-based cooperation for prosperity and economic development. Agorom C. Dike was so moved and inspired by the ringing of the bell in 2022 that he actively recommended and invited key international leaders to ring the bell and make a wish for peace. He stated, “It's very good to see the way FOWPAL is giving back to the world. I admire these values and I think that these values and attitude needs to be replicated not only for the United States but for the parts of the world.”
Spread the love! The walk of the Peace Bell will continue to spread the sound of peace around the world, bringing peace and tranquility to the world. Since the President of Singapore, Mr. Nathan, first rung the “Bell of World Peace and Love”, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze has invited heads of state and leaders from all walks of life to ring the bell and make a wish for more than 20 years. In 2014, Dr. Hong launched the Movement of An Era of Conscience, hoping that “With conscience comes a peaceful world; with happiness comes a joyful family.” The movement was echoed by people from 200 countries and was a major force behind the International Day of Conscience. In 2019, the United Nations has designated April 5 each year as International Day of Conscience, inviting all member states, organizations of the United Nations system and NGOs to promote a culture of peace through quality education and public awareness-raising activities.