With White Lotus, Love of White Lotus

The Lotus Flower Festival in Mu-an.

The Lotus flower means “purity” and “pure mind”. It is known as the flower that symbolizes Buddha who tried to save people from the tough and dark world by blooming the pure flowers and strong- looking leaves.

The white lotus.

It’s common to see red lotus flowers around us, but the white flowers are rare to see. Mu-an which is located south part of Korea, however, has the biggest white lotus plant in Korea. I will write about it today. The Mu-an Lotus Festival started in 1997 is the biggest lotus festival which is held annually in Korea. The title of it in this year is “With White Lotus, Love of White Lotus” and the festival lasts 4 days; Aug. 14^th – 17^th 2014.

 The festival lasts 4 days; Aug. 14^th – 17^th 2014.

An ordinary pond has become the huge white lotus plant and it is due to the late Su-dong Jeong. Mr. Jeong planted twelve lotus roots around a reservoir in 1995 when the Korean War had just ended. Just one man’s small affection and effort for the lotus made these beautiful flowers bloom all over the area and also this lovely festival can be held these days.

.

Specially, it is held with one of Buddhist denominations called the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order in this year so the event has various experience booths such as lightening lamps, experiencing tea ceremony, and so on. This park is known as the lotus habitat. There are not only lotuses but also many flowers like red lotus, prickly water lily, water snowflake and marsh flower. So, you can enjoy them with the beautiful summer scenery.

There are many flowers which are no use after blooming and falling. However, Lotus has nothing to waste. After the flowers fall from the stem, there are fruits which are rounded hexagonal. You can use them as the natural medicinal ingredients and they can be also used as a piece of decoration in your house. And with the roots of lotus that has many holes, we can make delicious dishes. Furthermore, you can taste lotus leaves as tea and drink which are popular. I like lotus tea because it makes me feel relaxed when drinking it.

In the garden, there are three courses; Beakryeon, Suryeon, and Gasiyeon. Each course has its own story on it, so it is good to walk thinking of their meanings. I hope you could have a good time in Mu-an Lotus Festival. 

World peace-Taste of Cuba, Mojito

<A sweltering polar bear in the zoo>

Despite the rainy season, it doesn’t rain and hot and stuffy weather is continued. Discomfort index is quite high because of humid weather. So I keep drinking a lot of water and americano in a day, but it cannot quench my thirst.

I really want to drink a fresh and cool glass of mojito in such a hot weather.

It is well known for a Cuban traditional cocktail. Hemingway also enjoyed drinking the mojito while writing ‘The Old Man and The Sea’. I miss the mojito that I didn’t drink all up at an amazing restaurant on last Sunday. Why I left that mojito!?  

 I’m wondering how you are doing in this hot summer. I’m not afraid of summer because I have a mojito.

Not long ago, I made a fantastic mojito with my younger brother to cool down this summer.

Now, we are really into mojito’s taste. Even though It isn’t been a long time to get to know about mojito, we are fascinated by its taste after a drop of it. Mojito is a revolution of the area of summer beverages!

My brother and I surely prepared apple mint and fresh lime for making mojito at home, and we also prepared other necessary materials that mentioned in the Internet recipe. My brother even bought cups for mojito as many as number of our family members.

When we finally start making the mojito in 2 weeks, we were so enjoyed until cutting the fresh lime. But just then, I got a trouble with an allergy to apple mint! Actually I have a hair-allergy, but in that day, I was so delighted so I couldn’t think of it. I just grabbed the leaves of apple mint with my two hands and washed them clearly. Just at the moment, symptom of allergy was coming up to my tips of all fingers. It was like pricking. So, in the day all night I suffered from the pain like stabbed by invisible thorns. Furthermore, the taste of mojito that we made was not as good as I expected even though I sacrificed my fingers!! So, after tasting it, I decided. I will never make a mojito at home never ever. I guess I may have another talent, but not cooking. Anyway, I am very good at eating. lol

<a glass of Mojito> 

How to Make Mojito

1. Slightly crush 6~7 slices (it is up to your preference) of apple mint.

2. Slightly crush 1/4 of lime (it is up to your preference).

3. Put crushed apple mint and lime into a same glass and add some syrup, then mix it!.

4. At last, Put sparkling water, ice, sliced 2 pieces of ​​lime and stir it. And it will become a delicious mojito. Now drink it!

 Mojito is a cocktail, so it needs alcohol. But I failed to adjust how much it needs alcohol, so, it tasted horrible. However, I blamed my brother based on that he bought strong liquor and asserted it is not my fault. Sorry~ my brother~. It was fun making Mojito with my brother in this summer. It became a cherishable memory to me.

How about not only staying under the air conditioner but also cooling down with a glass of fresh mojito?

World peace-Camera which Records Our Precious Memories – Jeonju Yeomyeong Camera Museum

Camera which Records Our Precious Memories – Jeonju Yeomyeong Camera Museum

 Sometimes, I want to be stuck in a world of my own or go out with friends in a simpler way. I know one place where I wanted to keep it a secret to myself; it is my secret place, Jeonju Yeomyeong Camera Museum.

Jeonju is a city of Taste and Grace of Korea. It is especially famous for Bibimbap, however, there are also many places where people can get a genuine feeling of Korea’s culture and tradition such as Hanok (Korean traditional housing), Hanji (Korean traditional paper) and Hansik (Korean traditional food). Jeonju Hanok Village is always crowded with tourists from all over the country because they can enjoy everything in a place. “Jeonju Yeomyeong Camera Museum” is located on the corner of the entrance to this Hanok Village.

At the moment I entered the entrance of this museum, I felt as if I were in a beautiful small garden. It was decorated with small benches, a stage, and some models of camera, being in harmony with the nature. It was fabulous! Meanwhile, in the garden, the movies were playing just like an outdoor theater. I got a special feeling on this coexistence of old and new cultures.

I could find many cameras being displayed at the museum. I was fascinated about how these cameras could be gathered in one place from all over the world. It made me feel as if I were in a gallery or a beautiful café.
People are required to pay 3,000 won as an admission fee, not for the beverages. Only though this admission fee, it is allowed to take a free beverage as well as to tour the museum. For those who don’t want to drink anything, they can choose a souvenir postcard instead of it.
Of course, you can buy it individually. If you write a letter and put it into the big cameras in front of the entrance, it will be delivered to you. There are two kinds of mailboxes (the big cameras) so you need to ask at the information desk.
In addition, you can enjoy an event that you can take a picture with your companions at 3,000 won. I think it will be great to keep our precious memory in a picture through this event.


There were also many kinds of lush tableware sets, pretty toy figures, and approximately ten thousand old LPs. If you choose one LP among them, the staff will play it as background music. This makes people stir up past memories with great joy.

Yeomyeong Camera Museum, this is a place we can enjoy some movies, a free beverage and even good atmosphere. It is surely worthy to be called my secret place, isn’t it?
Do you have any plan to visit Jeonju someday? Do you want to take a rest in a silent place being apart from the crowd of Hanok village? Or do you want to enjoy culture at a low price? Then I confidently recommend this awesome museum to you. 

World Peace :Terrorist group and Elephants

Terrorist group grown by greedy and Endangered Elephants

Elephants suffered from imprisonment and assault in India for 50 years were released with the help of charity. Elephant who is called 'Raju" felt the freedom, then he was touched and burst into tears of joy. Elephants can cry, play, laugh, and also even can form lifelong relationships. They are very highly intelligent and social animals.

Although they can’t speak as human beings do and also can’t be clever than humans, they are the member of the earth living with people. However, too many elephants are abused or dying due to ivory poaching by people who are greedy and worse than beast.

 Earlier this year, Guangdong Province in China showed a willingness for protection of wildlife poaching and smuggling crackdown by confiscating ivory from smugglers and scraping its total amount. Nevertheless, the 60-90% supply of the ivory in Africa inflows into China, the largest consuming country in the world, via Hong-Kong or other countries.

Ornaments made ​​of ivory in China has traditionally been called the 'white gold' and represents a symbol of wealth. In addition, there is a myth that blocks bad luck. So, giving ivory as a gift has become very popular. Due to this, the price of ivory in China was increased three times from $ 750 per 1kg in 2010 to $ 2,100 in this year, but its popularity is continuing.

<Elephant ivory crafts>

 Moreover, the price of ivory in China is more expensive 10 times than the price in local Africa. Then, the rebels and crime organizations like some forces which are linked with Al-Qaeda in Somalia are going to poach elephants on a large scale aiming massive profiteering. So, that kind of groups can be the way to giving the aid with money. As a result, too many elephants are becoming dead and they are now endangered. It is a problem that it's not easy to cut elephant's ivory, so ivory poachers kill elephants to gain that. According to NGO reports, if poaching is being continued like now, 20 percent of African elephants must be gone within 10 years.

<Dead elephant which was forced to be cut his ivory>

Since few years ago, Poaching elephant's ivory has become an international problem. So now, the number is slightly getting reduced. However, if consumer markets exist, poaching will not come to an end. At the same time, the forces that want taking advantages will continue to expand their own power and to cause disputes, conflicts, violence, murders, and other atrocities with the international community.

Although the cost of destroying lives eventually returns to humans, terrible things are going on all over the world due to the selfishness of human beings, such as destruction of life and catastrophes leading to death even now. I hope that all we do not seek only the interests at the moment, but also widen far more their eyes to look at the world. For leaving life, safety, and peace to the next generation, I hope that all we have more interests in the world where we live, and also I hope everyone practices love and sharing.

Man Hee Lee, the Chairman of “Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light”, is bringing about world peace through the culture of heaven.

Man Hee Lee, the Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (“HWPL”), has come into the spotlight as “a peace advocate”, while a lot of disputes and wars take place here and there all over the entire world. Mr. Lee suggested the answer to world peace and restoration of light; it is the culture of heaven. What is the culture of heaven referring to and what makes him so confident?


First of all, let us find out what the culture of heaven is. He said it is the revealed word of God (the revelation of heaven). In other words, the culture of heaven is the culture which is created by God’s word. The cultures differ from county to country. But the culture of heaven is the lofty culture in another level just like the sky is much higher than the earth.

This is the very definition of the culture of heaven. Furthermore, Mr. Lee suggested the sure methods to bring about world peace on this earth as follows.

First, the world of religion should be unified. Why do we have to have hundreds of religions even though there is only one God? Therefore, through the Word of Truth, we need to unify all the religions which were split due to the human thoughts. By doing this, we can truly bring about the cessation of war and world peace.

Next, all the current and former presidents should agree to enact a clause about “the cessation of war and world peace” in international law. And all women and young adults should be engaged in International Women’s Peace Group (“IWPG”) and International Peace Youth Group (“IPYG”) respectively.
Lastly, the press all over the world should report regarding the peace movements for the unification of religions, the end of war, and world peace. He is convinced that a peaceful world without any wars will be achieved through these things.

The current and former presidents, religious leaders, and heads of various organizations are stringing along with Mr. Lee after they listened to what he confidently said about world peace. And the peace movements such as peace agreement ceremony, peace seminar, and international peace walk have been widely reported. I am looking forward to a world of peace.

Brazil and The US, Win- Win video chatting

There are various kinds of English education center such as institutes, academies and online schools in the world.

However, it’s my first time to hear the concept of teaching method by using elderly. It is happening in Brazil these days.

The English school in Brazil called ‘CNA Language School' had signed a contract with a nursing homes in U.S, and started video chatting so the students in Brazil and the elderly in U.S can talk each another.

 

There are many English schools and various English learning services in Brazil, but this service is distinctive because of its strength that lead Brazilian students and American elderly people to Win-Win strategy.

Brazilian students can improve English skill through communication with the elderly. Conversely, retired American elderly who are living lonely life can be excellent speaking teachers.


Students can sign up on the homepage and then choose available elderly at that time and communicate with them.

The manager will set a topic first for video chatting and they would talk about the topic.
The conversation can be general and personal as long as it is related to the topic.

Brazil posted a video clip on youtube in May. Even though they have different nationalities, it seems that they are pretty close because they were saying "I like you, I love you' in the video.

This is only a video chatting through a machine, but their conversation feels so touching while they talk and get to know each other better.


What if there are the same online English School in Korea?


Like this case, if they communicate with open minded, anyone can be friends regardless of nationality, race, prejudice and discrimination.

With all my heart, I hope that everyone becomes a friend to each other and live in peace and lovewithoutwar,argumentandgrief.

The ceremony of the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War Ⅰ

 

Message of peace from Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light

 

 

On June 28, the ceremony of the 100^th anniversary of the outbreak of World War Ⅰ was held in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. But, it was progressed with ethnic antipathy between Bosnians and Serbians.

 

Indeed, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the country that has plenty of terrible pain and grief. It has had lots of conflicts between races or religions in its history. It includes Islam 50%, Serbian Orthodox 30%, Catholicism 15%, and others 5%.

 

As we know well, the war all started with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. Following the incident, Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia. And Germany was allied with the Austro-Hungarian Empire to fight against British Empire and France, while Russia was allied with Serbia. In short, it developed into war between the Allied Forces (British Empire, France, and Russia) and the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary). Furthermore, Europe split over the World War Ⅱ into two parts: West Europe following liberalism and Eastern Europe espousing the communism. The Soviet Union disintegrated with the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the nations that had been under the Soviet Union claimed their independence, insisting their own history, religion and race respectively.

Among these countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina which was built with arbitration of U.S.A is the multiracial and multi religious nation. Also, until now, the true reconciliation in races and religions has not yet taken place since it was established under pressure of the world powers. However, I certainly believe that peace will come to Bosnia and Herzegovina sooner than any other countries.

 

That’s because there is a world peace activist, Man Hee Lee who is the chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of light (“HWPL”). He is practicing love like the light, rain, and air that transcends the borders, races, religions and ideologies. Let me set out what Mr. Lee said.

 

According to chairman, the culture of heaven is the only material that the world peace can be made a reality. In other words, we can fulfill world peace with the culture in accordance with the will of heaven. Hence, he assigned the duties to the president of each country, women, young adults, and the press for achieving peace in the global village.

 

Below are the duties:

▲ The presidents should agree to enact a clause in international law for world peace and the cessation of wars.

▲Women should join International Women’s Peace Group (“IWPG”) so that they can protect their children.

▲ Youths should join International Peace Youth Group (“IPYG”) so that they can be part of peace movement.

▲The press should report peace movement to bring about world peace.

 

Chairman Man Hee Lee has toured in 16 countries, including Central and South America and Eastern Europe. He also concluded the peace agreements with 12 former and current presidents of these countries since last March of this year. Mr. Lee delivered a speech in ICD International Conference which was held in the Assembly of Rome on April 1. About 400 politicians and religious leaders from each country attended this conference and some of them made speeches about world peace for 3 hours in total. Especially, Mr. Lee showed a video about “International Youth Peace Walk” under the theme of “World Peace and Restoration”, while introducing the process of the peace agreement in Mindanao of the Philippines which is considered as one of the most productive peace work. He appealed to participants “to join the work of leaving the world without war to the next generation”. Attendees also took a keen interest in the appeal of this Korean peace activist who cried out for peace with “productive results.”

 

 

Below is the list of the former and current leaders who signed the peace agreement.

  

Former prime minister of Eastern Germany, Hans Modrow

Former prime minister of Austria, Alfred Gusenbauer

Former prime minister of Spain, ose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero

Current vice president of Peru and female leader, Marisol Espinoza

Former president of Colombia, Belisario Betancur

Former president of Guatemala, Alvaro Colom Caballeros

Former president of Slovenia, Danilo Türk

Former president of Slovenia, Milan Kucan

Former female minister of Slovakia, veta Radicova

Former president of Rumania, Ion Iliescu

Former prime minister of Serbia, Zoran Živković

Former prime minister of Serbia, Mirko Cvetković

 

Slovenia, Serbia, Austria, and Rumania are the neighboring countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I sincerely look forward to laying the foundation for peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina through this event for the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War Ⅰ.

The happiest country in the world, Costa Rica

 

   

 

Brazil World Cup in 2014! All countries in the world are enthusiastic or feel missed about the World Cup. Among many groups, group D is said to be a ‘Group of Death’. Group D consists of Costa Rica, Uruguay, Italy, England, and Costa Rica. In this group, Costa Rica was thought to be relatively weak when it is compared to other countries. However, Costa Rica competed with the powerful soccer teams and advanced to the second round.

Furthermore, it is a hot topic that Costa Rica won over Greece and advanced to the third round for the first time.

When Costa Rica is making headlines in World Cup, do you know that Costa Rica is the happiest country in the world?

The name of Costa Rica means rich beaches in Spanish(República de Costa Rica), for it has beautiful natural views.

 

 

 

A statistician, Nic Marks established New Economics Foundation (NEF) in England and made Happy Planet Index (HPI). Costa Rica ranks 1st in HPI. The assessment items of HPI are these; how long does the each individual feel pleased?, how wide is the land polluted? These estimate how much each country has understanding and consciousness of human beings and nature. So we can know that low earning and spending money cannot be a measure of happiness.

 

 

 

Nick Marx suggested 4 kinds of code of conduct as a way to raise the HPI, as follows;

First, ‘Be active.’

Second, ‘Pay attention to surroundings.’

Third, ‘Give to others.’

Fourth, ‘Always learn.’

 

Thus, if you practice these codes to raise HPI with heart to love people and nature, rather than seeking the materials and profits in your life, you and people around you may feel more happy in their lives.

 

Dream comes true, The Dream Ball Project

 

Recently, Brazil world cup is being a hot issue throughout the world. Though Korea couldn’t advance to the round of sixteen, we saw a possibility of the children who are dreaming for being soccer players all over the world. That is "Dream ball project",

 

 

 

Children in under-developed countries can't afford to buy a ball due to some problems caused from war and hunger. Dream ball project gives aid to the children with boxes of relief goods so that this project helps them make balls by themselves.

 

 

 

Children were keeping their dreams by playing soccer with empty cans and fabric, but many of them got hurt from the sharp and hard balls. For the children, a Korean design company ‘Unplug design’ started the Dream ball project.

   

 

Organizations like UN give aid to developing countries with boxes which can be dream balls. After they use all the relief goods in a box, the box can be transformed to dream balls. And also, the balls can be recycled to make another aid boxes. This process is considerably valuable.

 

 

   

    

This box is more flexible and durable than other boxes and includes a manual in it which explains how to make a ball easily. In addition, the size of ball is adjustable, so they can be used in various kind of games like soccer, baseball and hand

ball.

 

Actually, it may not be easy to have a dream to be a soccer player for the children in developing countries. So, I'm so proud that we can give hopes to them through Korean company's idea.

 

 

Though Korea couldn't satisfy us through this Brazil World Cup, I believe Korea will show us their potential energy someday like the Dream ball project. Because a company is sowing seeds of hope to children, I hope we can harvest the dream of peace that many people all over the world have. A small, but big country, Korea, keep it up!

   

 

Review of a movie - We Don’t Know the Name of the Flower We Saw That Day Yet.

The movie I want to share you today is called “劇場版のあの日見た花の名前を僕達はまだ知らない。”, which means “We don’t know the name of the flower we saw that day yet.” The story is about the five friends who shared their childhood by losing one of the friends. It deals with the emotions of yearning, affection, sorrow, and feeling of guilt because of the death of a friend. And it also draws their reunion and farewell.

 

The scenario is like this.

One summer, a best friends club which has six members called “the Best Peace Busters” was having a great time loving one another. Menma who is one of main characters just left his friends. After that the other friends are scattered. And 5 years later, Menma shows up to Jinddang, the leader of the club. Menma wants her dreams come true. Finding his dream, Jinddang starts to look for her friends.

The memories – wounded hearts and the sincere mind that have not yet told but wanted to say next day. And one more chance was given to the friends to make up one another. Would they get that summer back as realizing the Menma’s dream?

Personally, I focused on the other friends rather than Menma. Technically, I would say I focused on the happenings among them and their feelings.

 

Because I saw the movie when I already became an adult, I didn’t feel much sympathy to Menma who has a pure mind and fantastic character, but was more interested in the other people.

Watching the movie, a saying in the movie poster named “Architecture” came to my mind.

It is, “We all were first lovers to someone.”

The nostalgias for my childhood, memories of that pure moments, and first love which brought me the memories of my first love.

What I kept thinking throughout the whole movie is that.

‘So, what did the name of the flower symbolize?’

 

The flower’s name they saw that day hadn’t been mentioned right before the movie ended. And I couldn’t find the scenes that the main characters tell its name.

However, I think I may understand the symbol that flower has.

 The affection, yearning, wounded mind, or memories could be the symbol, I guess.

Like illusions which we can hardly say what they are, but they are still there and live in our hearts.

 

The audiences including me wiped their tears while watching the movie. It was touching me to see the people cry there with sympathy for the friends feeling the memories, reunion and farewell.

Additionally, it was nice to remind of my childhood calmly.

 
 
 

I hope true peace will come in Ukraine

The way to solve the Ukrainian civil war 

 

Two months left until Ukraine government forces and Russophile militia conclude a ceasefire agreement after the lasting civil war. The leaders in Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine are hoping the ceasefire will be alleviated soon. Ceasefire in the war means that the war is not yet to be ended, just paused for a while. So, what should they do to make Ukraine enter into a peace agreement? In this case, Ukrainian civil war was started by the local sentiments. Ukraine has been through a lot of hardships historically by around the close countries. So, it has caused the Ukrainian local sentiments between the East and the West to last for a long time politically, economically and socially.

Now In Sloviansk, State of Donetsk, the eastern Ukraine, there are so many casualties due to the civil war between the government troops and the militia. How can we observe this Ukrainian situation? Also, what kind of lesson can we learn from that? What can we do to solve this problem? I think we need love beyond the border, race and religion and practice of peace by Man Hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light. Over the past centuries, we know that many wars had been taking place here and there in the world due to ideological, racial and religious conflicts. Now is the time that we really need peace. So, I would like to introduce an article that can be an indicator for practicing peace. Let's find out the answer from 'The Declaration of World Peace’ by Man Hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light. 

 

 <The Declaration of World Peace>

The life that grows on the earth is sustained from above – by light, by the rain, and by the air they provide unconditionally to all living beings.
We have received the precious gift of life from above, let us give glory to heaven, and live in peace on earth.
This is the truest teaching of heaven.
With this eternal gift - the grace and life we have received – are we entitled to fight, kill and destroy one another?

 

We cannot claim to desire peace and continue to provoke one another, causing conflict for the sake of valuing our own national interests above those of others. Of what use is a young life, born in our day and age, if it is thrown away in this manner – thrown away without having had a chance to bloom?What price can compensate for the loss of a life? Do these young souls have another chance at life?As emissaries of World Peace; as people who are working towards the restoration of humanity through a new and heavenly culture, we declare the following:
We call on the heads of state of every country to sign an international agreement – a commitment to bringing all wars to an end. We ask them to do this from a spirit of deep-seated love for the people of their country.

We call on all youth to unite in an effort to stop wars and pursue the restoration of peace by registering to the one and only existing “International Youth Coalition”. For World Peace to become a reality, this is the duty of all youth, everywhere.

The only way to stop the fighting and pointless, tragic deaths, is to stop fighting. Nobody can ask for anything greater than this. The efforts of the young people of the world today in pursuit of peace – will remain as a never fading light of life for all future generations.

Furthermore, we call on every person, every man, woman, and child in the world, to pick up the mantle of peace. In whatever way you can, we ask that you work to further the cause of world peace and restoration, making it a reality in your direct environments. Lastly, we call on the media to port responsibly and promote a message of peace to the world. World peace and restoration of light have been started simultaneously with declaring this declaration.