Applying Conscience and the Yin-Yang Philosophy to Realize Love and Peace
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze
Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men
Vice President of the Association of World Citizens,
NGO in Consultative Status with ECOSOC and Associated with the UN DPI
President of the Federation of World Peace and Love
February 10, 2023
Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good day!
In 2023, the world continues to face common crises and challenges, including abnormal climate patterns, resource depletion, war crises, economic recession, and raging epidemics, and an area's problems can affect other parts of the world. At this critical moment, the worldwide members of the Federation of World Peace and Love promote a culture of conscience with love and peace to achieve sustainable global development. We encourage global citizens to join hands and hearts and put aside hatred, discrimination, fame, and self-interest while working together in a spirit of tolerance and selflessness to benefit all of humanity and protect the environment, so that we can coexist, share prosperity, and achieve stability and harmony.
The rapid development of technology nowadays has made life easier for people, but it has also caused imbalance in the heart and soul, leading to the "poisons of the heart,” whose specific symptoms are the "five poisons": greed, anger, obsession, arrogance, and skepticism. The "five poisons" are also the main cause of many global crises, including drug trafficking, which breeds drug addiction, as well as a variety of violent crimes and other offenses that are harmful to communities and nations. When people have rid themselves of the "five poisons" and restored the purity of their hearts and when all nations unite and help one another, the world will be harmonious and prosperous.
Drugs are like the "five poisons" of the human heart, causing harm to our conscience and love. How can the "five poisons" be eliminated, making the globe once again "drug-free"? The solution is "conscience," which is a treasure everyone is endowed with. Since "conscience reflects the heavenly law," everything is governed by the law of Heaven. The law of Heaven exists in the universe, superseding man-made laws and regulations, and is the natural order of all things. It is embedded in our morals and ethics and is a natural force, unbiased and fair. We should promote conscience education, calling on everyone to act with conscience, so that their actions and decisions will follow the law of Heaven. When everyone abides by their conscience, the world will be peaceful; when everyone is cheerful, every family will be happy.
The first step in resolving the current global crisis is to awaken everyone's conscience. Next, we need to apply our conscience and the wisdom of yin and yang to resolve the crisis. Yin and yang represent the beginning of the creation of all things. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine indicates, "Yin and Yang are the general laws of the universe, the rule of all things, the origin of all changes, the root of growth and destruction, and there is a great deal of truth in them.” The rotation and interaction of yin and yang give rise to Heaven and Earth. The yin and yang principles govern the ebb and flow of all things. People are encouraged to master the way of yin and yang, take the middle way, and maintain a balance. In governing a nation, those in power should implement the protection of human rights and freedom, use wisdom to resolve conflicts, abstain from the "five poisons" of human nature, and settle disputes among nations.
Today, we are gathered here as we share the common goals for the world: love and peace, a sustainable future, and a drug-free environment. As such, FOWPAL has designated September 23 of each year as "World Prayer Day" to encourage everyone to make a wish to improve themselves and do good deeds. With conscience and the power of hope, we can work together to help ourselves, others, and cooperate for the safety and sustainable development of the world. Let us follow the guidance of our conscience and do good deeds with compassion, giving hope to everyone, to create a peaceful world of love and peace.
May we all do good deeds with conscience, fulfill our kind wishes, strike a balance between yin and yang, and realize world peace.