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Human beings, indeed all sentient beings, have the right to pursue happiness and live in peace and freedom.
Dalai Lama
Peace Tour Inaugurates UPF in India Print E-mail
By Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, Secretary General, UPF   
Thursday, November 24, 2005
New Delhi, India - Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon were welcomed to New Delhi on November 24 by Dr. L.M. Singhvi, Hon. Eduardo Faleiro, Lama Lobsang, V.V. Augustine, and Ursula MacLackland.

The inauguration of the Universal Peace Federation was held a few hours later at the Taj Mahal Hotel. Four hundred and fifty people gathered for the program, which included a traditional lamp lighting by representatives of Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, and Judaism. A group of young students from Bharatiya Vidhya Bhawan then offered an interfaith invocation, chanting passages from the sacred writings of various faiths.

Manoj Jacob, one of the Founding Trustees of UPF-India, then gave an overview of the 40 years of Father and Mother Moon’s efforts in South Asia and India, including earlier visits by them.

The welcome address was presented by the Hon. Eduardo Faleiro, a member of parliament for more than 30 years and former government minister, and head of the Indian delegation to the UN General Assembly in 1992.

Hon. Faleiro spoke with great enthusiasm about Father Moon’s work for interreligious harmony and for rebuilding the family. “Rev. Moon, at 85, has the stamina, energy and power of two able, energetic men of 40,” he said.

The next speaker was Dr. L.M. Singhvi, Chairman of UPF-India and member of the UPF Presiding Council. Dr. Singhvi is one of India’s senior advocates of the Supreme Court, a leading constitutional and human rights expert, author, poet, and parliamentarian. He served as India’s High Commissioner to the UK for seven years. Dr. Singhvi spoke of the potential of UPF and its core values of interreligious and international cooperation, living for the sake of others, and, in particular, the emphasis on building a culture of heart.


Dr. Moon at the podium at the Taj Mahal Hotel
An very diverse audience follows the speech.

During his speech, Father Moon shared his vision of India as an emerging world power. “I have heard your population is 1.1 billion,” he said, “and China has a population of over 1.3 billion. What if the two of you fight? Just like the mind and body struggle, such a conflict is possible. If you cannot solve the mind and body problem, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”

“India, you are proud of your religions. But, are you ready to dedicate yourselves to the Bering Strait project? We have to unite together to do this project. Major nations will shift in this direction, toward obedience to God."

Dr. Moon shares his vision of India as a leading nation, based on obedience to God.
Spiritual leaders from many of India’s traditions were in attendance.


Following Father Moon’s peace message, Mother Moon came on stage and received a flower offering. Then a series of gifts were given from Dr. Singhvi and Hon. Faleiro (a bust of Gandhi, a statue of an elephant, representing wisdom, memory, longevity, a UPF wall clock designed by Dr. Singhvi, and a special “Most Ideal True Parents Award” from Dr. Karad from Goa. There was something of a rush of gift givers on to the stage with various bouquets, scarves, pictures etc. Everyone wanted to make an offering.

There were presentation of 45 Ambassador for Peace appointments, and the winners of a “Why is the family important for world peace” essay contest were announced and received their prizes. V.V. Augustine presented the awards.

The event included an invitation for couples to join in a world peace blessing toast of marriage rededication.

For devotions the following morning, there was a profound reading, a very deep, visionary discussion of God, God’s nature, character, etc. It is interesting in that India has perhaps the most highly sophisticated writings on God, metaphysics, spiritual world, going back so many centuries such as the Upanishads.

To read the inaugural peace message, click here.
 

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