Session 6

But those people who finished The Vocational School were recognized as people who had completed their education. During the wartime, those who graduated from high school were accepted as university graduates. Yes, he graduated from there as a university student. At that time, he studied electrical engineering. Why do you think he studied that? Because in the future, religion must be able to prove that God's incorporeal world exists, and that will only be done through science and technology. It's very hard to prove an invisible God or an invisible person, something invisible. If we look at creation, we can see the characteristics of God, isn't it? Plus and minus, because with studying electrical engineering, he believed he would be able to prove or find a way to understand these concepts. Minus by itself is useless, but plus has to meet with minus. He wanted to explain it in such a way that human beings can understand and prove it.

This is something he wrote, explaining the relationship between God and humankind, as a parent and child. That is his graduation picture. I made a lot of efforts to find this picture. You saw the picture before; there are some that are easy to see, but before the Second World War, many documents were lost. To find these documents, we had to locate different people who were at the university at the same time. That was one of the proofs that he went there. No one had this album, so we started searching for his classmates. We first looked for the main people who were there, and we found ten, but only three were verifiable. We could not find any proof from the last seven. We made many conditions to find the different classmates, and eventually, we found one person at the end. He had moved around a lot, and it was hard to find him because his address had changed.

I went to Japan many times trying to find this person. I asked if they knew him, and only one person at the very end could find the last address. He had a belief in the importance of this picture. After a long explanation of the process, he went to the attic of his house and found something wrapped in a plastic bag. It was an album. The moment I saw the album, I was shocked; I was out of breath. In that picture was someone we had been looking for a very long time—True Father. I looked at that picture and asked the person if I could borrow the album for three weeks. I promised to return it and signed an agreement. After three weeks, I came back to Korea with the picture.

With this picture, there was a very old printing press that had the same quality paper. I knew it came from that kind of press, so I went to this printing press and asked them to copy it exactly as it was. I made 21 copies, and compared to the original, the new picture was clearer because of better technology. I took three of the new copies and the original back to Japan. I showed them to the owner of the album and asked which one was the real one. He was amazed that the new one looked even nicer. We used psychology to show him that the new one was better. True Father was very happy about that, and I made two copies of the old one to keep. I gave one to Wasa University and one to True Father, and that's how I found this picture. This album is precious to us and is now in our minds.

True Father went on to make independent movements. He engaged in underground activities because he didn't want to repeat the mistakes of Barabbas and Jesus. He joined the underground activities with Korean students and the foundation of national forces and liberation groups. He put his life on the line and went to China because he couldn't stay in Japan anymore. He did this to restore and ensure that the story of Barabbas and Jesus would not be repeated. At that time, the Independence Movement was called 'money' because it referred to old Korean money. They had to hide their activities from the Japanese, so they devised a strategy. They told the Japanese that the students were just gambling, which was acceptable to them. This was a cover for their independence movement, and they met to play the game of liberating Korea.

True Father became one with Kim Gu in heart. He nearly gave his life to hide from those who were searching for him. He hid under a train for 14 hours to get to China, carrying money made during the independence movement. Fundraising began with True Father in Japan. He said, 'If you die for the nation, the world will remember you.' He was not thinking like normal people who ask, 'What have you done for me?' Instead, he focused on what he could do for the nation and the world. If he lived and died for them, they would remember him. He had a close friend who was with him at Wasa University. When this friend died, True Father carried his body back to Korea for a proper burial. If he had lived, he would have been one of the leaders of the movement.

During the independence movement, True Father met someone who later became a significant figure. Initially, their relationship began as friends and comrades. Later, when he discovered the depth of True Father's mission, he began to relate to him as a father. During their student years in Japan, he would find several copies of the Bible left open in True Father's room. He saw that True Father had underlined passages and read them many times. When he started praying, he would pray for hours without regard to time. This person studied architecture in Japan and was a leading constructor. He said that the construction movement in Korea would not have started without True Father. They did the independence movement together, and their relationship evolved from colleagues to friends, and then to a brotherly bond. He confessed that True Father was like a true father to him, demonstrating a life that reflected messianic qualities. He observed True Father's lifestyle and character closely, which allowed him to see True Father as the Messiah.

During the time when True Father was living in Japan, he overcame one of Adam's limitations. While he was renting a house there, he was engaged in a lot of Independence movement work. After leaving the house for three days, he returned to find that the landlord's daughter, who had a deep affection for him, had misunderstood his absence. She thought he was still away and ended up sleeping in his room with one of his friends, believing she was with True Father. When she realised her mistake, she returned, but True Father, aware of the situation, explained to her the Fall of Man and why he could not engage with her in that way. This incident highlighted the importance of understanding one's position and responsibilities, particularly in relation to the Divine Principle.

Someone once asked me whether the True Children have original sin, given that True Father is the Messiah. I responded by pointing out that Adam, before the Fall, had no sin. Therefore, the children of an unfallen Adam would not inherit original sin, but they do have personal responsibilities to overcome their limitations. True Father himself did not come with original sin, yet he had to face similar challenges. Thus, even though the True Children are born from someone without original sin, their journey involves personal responsibility and overcoming their own limitations.

In Japan, True Father faced significant tests that were essential for someone in his position. He completed various providential tasks, including understanding the ideologies of Communism and democracy, and how they could potentially unite. He also completed the providence of creation and the providence of the Fall. On April 6, 1942, after overcoming death, he received an official seal from God, affirming his role as His child. This moment marked a turning point in his confidence to teach the Divine Principle, as he felt a profound father-son relationship with God, which he believed was the core of the universe.

True Father underwent rigorous training and experiences in Japan, which deepened his understanding of heart and love. He would often take on difficult tasks, such as carrying supplies for elderly people living in mountainous areas. He formed teams to accomplish these challenging jobs quickly, earning the gratitude of those he helped. The joy and tears of those he assisted were a testament to his dedication. He believed that true action, rather than mere words, is what inspires others and brings about real change.

True Father emphasised that to meet God, one must be willing to go to the lowest position in life. He contrasted the differences between religion and science, suggesting that while old science sought to prove God's existence, new science should help us feel and understand God. He believed that God exists in both the lowest and highest places, and that true connection with God comes from experiencing life at both extremes. This understanding was crucial for his teachings and his own spiritual journey.

In September 1943, True Father returned to Korea after being involved in the independence movement. He faced significant challenges, including imprisonment and torture. Despite the pain inflicted upon him, he remained silent, knowing that speaking would only worsen his situation. His silence was a strategic choice, allowing him to endure the torture without revealing the names of his comrades. Instead, he focused on the future of his captors, contemplating how he could liberate and forgive them, which helped him transcend his own suffering.

In the midst of his suffering, True Father experienced a profound moment of empathy for his torturer. He began to cry, not out of his own pain, but because he felt a deep need for that person to be restored and saved. Rather than focusing on his own anguish, he was more concerned about the time when peace would come and how he would have to seek forgiveness and blessings for those who had harmed him. This was the essence of his life in prison. After being freed following the Second World War on 25th August 1945, he witnessed the chaos as Koreans retaliated against the Japanese, killing those they held responsible for their suffering. In this tumultuous environment, True Father chose to protect the very person who had tortured him, helping him escape to Japan.

Once in Japan, the torturer, who had been saved by True Father, reflected on the significance of that act. He realised that if he did not represent Japan positively, it would lead to dire consequences. Eventually, True Father sought to meet this torturer, whose name was Kumashi. After some effort, he located Kumashi's home and confronted him about the past. To True Father’s surprise, Kumashi denied ever having been saved by a Korean, as he had committed numerous atrocities and feared retribution from the families of his victims. However, the story did not end there. Kumashi's daughter, upon hearing about True Father's actions, was deeply moved and facilitated a reconnection between her father and True Father.

During their subsequent meeting, Kumashi acknowledged his past and accepted that someone he had intended to kill had actually saved him. This transformation led him to become an ambassador for peace, demonstrating that history is alive and can be rewritten through understanding and compassion. My own studies of history, particularly after meeting Kumashi, have left a lasting impression on me. True Father's life was incredibly challenging and often misunderstood, yet he dedicated himself to saving humanity. His journey, from his youth through to adulthood, exemplifies the struggles of a true parent.

I share this not merely as a religious leader but as someone who wants you to grasp the profound relationship between a father and a child. Understanding this relationship is crucial to comprehending True Father's intentions. He did not seek to be a messiah; rather, he desired us to be his children, to know his life and experiences. This is where I will conclude today. I deeply appreciate the presentations and the heartfelt emotions expressed throughout. It is evident that True Father's research and insights come from a place of genuine compassion.

As we prepare for tomorrow, I encourage everyone to reflect on what has been shared. We will reconvene at 8:00 AM, and I urge you to write down your thoughts while they are still fresh. For those staying overnight, arrangements have been made for your accommodation. We will gather for pledge at 5:00 AM in the ballroom. I want to express my gratitude to Reverend Yang for his incredible contributions. It is vital that as many brothers and sisters as possible participate in these discussions. I understand that some may have commitments in their local communities, but I strongly encourage you to prioritise this gathering, as it holds profound significance for all of us.