Federation of World Peace and Love

The World After 2002
 

The Sustainable Development of the Spiritual Environmental Protection
and the Sustainable Future of Love and Peace Are Humanity's Best Hope.

Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men
President, the Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy
President, the Federation of World Peace and Love
Honorary Vice President and Advisory Committee, the Association of World Citizens

 

Representatives from various countries, His Excellency Dr. Stainslaus, Ambassador of Grenada to the United Nations, Their Excellencies Ambassadors to the United Nations, Distinguished Guests, Representatives of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen:

        Due to mass production caused by industrialization in the 20th century, and the over-exploitation of natural resources, the globe has changed drastically within the past one hundred years. About twenty-seven thousand species become extinct every year. Millions of people were killed in the two world wars, civil wars, riots, and conflicts and clashes among races. All this results from the greed of humankind and hatred. As we have entered the 21st century, using the lessons we learn from the 20th century, we should not repeat the same mistakes. We should carry out the concept of "One World" with love and peace.

        At the 53rd Assembly of Non-governmental Organizations Associated with the United Nations in August 2000, I mentioned in my speech that the rapid development of modern technology had given human beings great material comfort but it had also led to the destruction of the environment. Nowadays, human beings have to race against time and against global abnormality. The damage being done to the globe is drastically increasing, which results from many factors. A great amount of damage is due to the human misuse of technology. The greed of humanity has met with the retribution of nature, a problem that cannot be solved by technology. Learning to cooperate with nature is the only correct way to keep nature intact. How to deal with favorable and unfavorable circumstances is something that is not easy for human beings to learn well. This is the so- called philosophy of yin and yang. The confusion in human relations and all things causes a rupture in the proper order of earth's sequential events. When a king is not like a king, a minister is not like a minister, a father is not like a father and a son is not like a son, there will be no ethical code in society. Everything should have its place, including heaven, earth, and people but chaos occurs again and again. Demand and supply have lost their balance. When it comes to heaven, nature has its laws. When it comes to earth, the world has its sequences. People have their codes of behavior. However, they have done what they should not have done. This is the culprit that has caused the global chaos.

        No matter whether they are internal or external factors, there is a distinction between good and evil, right and wrong, survival and extinction. We have entered a period of a dramatic turn of the globe. The opposite of serious destruction is the best construction. We do not hope to start everything from scratch when it is reduced to zero. However, this tendency that everything will become zero has appeared in various countries in the 21st century. The target is the globe, which will be fairly judged by nature.

        Now is the ideal time to call on leaders of the world to take a step backward and calmly begin breaking away from conflicts and disputes for the benefit of humanity and world development  after 2002. If they look at the world from the top of a highest mountain, they will clearly see the overall situation and crucial locations in it. As an old saying goes, "Those who can read the chess board can grasp the complexity of war. Those who are skilled in military arts can deploy their troop with a word and a smile."  Once they have a complete understanding of the task, the most complex problems become simple. A comprehensive strategy makes the difference between survival and destruction. Human beings are easily influenced by their immediate environment and because of this, they lose sight of their greater goals. As time changes and space changes, the mind can adapt. Rapid developments are good but they should not forget their original overall goal.

The following is my advice.   

  1. If we always stand on the front line of the world and look down from the highest place, we will see the critical point of the world. With an unselfish heart, those on the tip of the pyramid believe that they are here in this world on a mission.
  2. It is easy to judge what is right or wrong, good or evil, and yin and yang.  Thus, events,such as favorable climatic, geographical and human conditions, that might seem to be  inescapable ,can be changed through human decisions. It is wise to take the middle way because a thought that comes on the spur of the moment can be good or ill.
  3. World leaders have the power and responsibility for assuring the peace and the survival of the globe. In addition, we acknowledge that everybody can determine the world's and his own destiny. Our wisdom, which comes from a serene mind, can control our action, and our action can control the environment and the environment can guide the world.
  4. It is rare for us to meet people of one hundred years. "The circulation of a cycle has a time limit," meaning that we do not live forever. We should cherish what we have, enjoy and make best use of our resources. We should learn to overcome our shortcomings by learning from each other's strong points. Human solidarity in the 21st century is urgent as all kinds of catastrophes, one after another, have damaged the surface of the globe. There is one globe. Time and tide wait for no man. People of the world should unite and race against time to solve these potential problems. There is only one globe.
  5. It is important for humankind and nature to co-exist harmoniously with each other. The concept that we depend on heaven and earth for survival will never change. We have to observe the laws of nature, and all living creatures have to follow its cycle. If human beings go against the laws of nature, they will meet with its retribution. Therefore, to keep the balance between technological development and the environment is work of utmost importance for world leaders to run their countries.
  6. We should establish and respect human rights and restore the dignity of all human beings who are born equal. Bias and prejudice should not exist because of races, religions, politics, country's boundaries, time and space. Only when human beings enjoy and protect their basic human rights, will life science advance further.
  7. We should emphasize that all things should be done from the heart. In the world after 2002, the level of the heart will transcend that of technology. Spirituality and technology should be equally emphasized. Only with a genuine and good heart, will the world be free from sickness and disease, war, fear and turmoil. If world leaders can tolerate everything with love of the world, they become the wings that sustain the globe. With breadth of mind that is full of warmth, serenity, and harmony, they will love all things in the world and deal with international affairs with magnanimity. An unselfish heart is the highest level of love.
  8. Those hiding in the dark corners of the world should realize that battle sometimes does not start intentionally but its result affects all living creatures. From our mistakes learned in the past, we realize that it is extremely important to redress the crises that exist between territories and between countries and put the consensus of world peace into concrete action. The greatest generals are those who win without using military forces. It is the greatest merit to relax tense situations, to reduce forces and to let blessings fall upon all humanity.
  9. The light of dawn has already broken through the sky. A compassionate heart will bring happiness to the world and its people. When the sound of the Bell reverberates across the universe and reassures the public, darkness will no longer enshroud the earth. When the world reaches a consensus on sustainable future of love and peace, the wheel of the world will make a big turn. We are the key to destiny.
  10. Everything starts from the earth. If the natural environment is treasured, people's property is protected, and our lives are enriched, we will not lead a life in want. Therefore, there must be a reason for us to be born, and there must be a way for us to survive. Each of the five elements has its own place. All things perform their own functions. A distinction is made between males and females, and between yin and yang. There will be no more confusion in the world sequences.

        Lives evolved from the same root. The world was originally one big family. Through international cultural exchange, the distance between people, between races, between countries will be shortened. All this is conducive to people's interrelationships, mutual respect and social equality. This way, world peace will be attained.

        Through the ceremony of the ringing the Bell of Peace, FOPWAL has tried to bring together the consensus of world leaders. By ringing the Bell, world leaders make a commitment to world peace, helping to put the concept "Love of the World, A Wish for Peace" into practice. We identify executive leaders, envoys of various countries, administrative leaders and representatives of peace organizations with similar ideals, and offer them honorary FOWPAL memberships and encourage them to push forward a culture of peace in their own countries. Promoting the song "Love of the World," we can awaken people's wish for peace. With the help of members from 46 countries and 110 honorary committee members, the Federation of World Peace and Love not only supports itself but also carries out peace education in various countries by exchanging opinions through web sites and periodicals, through which we have tried to unite world organizations and influential people. This has created a powerful influence on the world.

        Some people may ask, "Is there real peace in this world?" or they may ask, "Will the ringing the Bell of Peace really help bring peace?" Peace will never come if we don't try hard to attain it. Only by working on it, will our dream come true. Do not belittle a tiny grain of seed. This seed, containing endless potential and hope, will sprout and grow into a big tree, have flowers and bear fruit. These little tiny grains of seeds will gradually evolve into a big forest. The key to the global sustainable development, natural resources, and ecological and environmental protection lies in human hearts. Without spiritual environmental protection, it is very hard to protect the environment. Starting from rudimentary spiritual reform is the way to achieve global sustainable development. The balanced development of spirituality and technology, the expansion of economy and the protection of the environment will result in the harmonious co-existence between nature and humanity. Therefore, the sustainable development of the spiritual environmental protection and the sustainable future of Love and Peace are humanity's best hope in the world after 2002.