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Living for the sake of others is the universal principle that defines the way we should live our lives—the one law of the true way of life.

Sun Myung Moon

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We Live For The Sake Of Others

Topic: Serving Others

What is the path for us to live a true life? As we go on the path, the main thing we should keep in mind is to live for the sake of others. Confucius, Jesus, Muhammad and Buddha all affirm this truth. Living for the sake of others is the universal principle that defines the way we should live our lives—the one law of the true way of life.

Sun Myung Moon

Sun Myung Moon, born on January 6, 1920, was a spiritual leader and luminary hailing from North Korea. He founded the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, better known as the Unification Church, in 1954. Drawing upon direct Prophetic revelation, influenced by the major faith traditions—especially Christianity, but also Judaism, Islam, Confucianism, and Buddhism. He also developed a political philosophy to resist the spread of the anti-religious Communist ideology. Reverend Moon's teachings centered on love, unity, and peace. He aimed to spark a global spiritual movement that transcended religious and cultural divisions, and his vision resonated with followers all over the world. Through the Unification Church, Sun Myung Moon also promoted interfaith understanding and collaboration, striving for harmony among diverse religious traditions.

Reverend Moon's teachings went beyond the realm of the spiritual to touch on the universal human themes of love and family. He emphasized the importance of nurturing strong, loving families as the cornerstone for a harmonious and peaceful world. To this end, he conducted mass wedding ceremonies known as the 'Blessing', symbolizing the unity of all people under God, regardless of their cultural or religious backgrounds. Moon also stressed the value of community service and encouraged his followers to actively contribute to their local communities.

Sun Myung Moon's partner in both life and work was his wife, Hak Ja Han Moon. As co-leader of the Unification Church, she is a pivotal figure in spreading their shared vision of a world unified by love and peace. Affectionately known as 'True Mother', she embodies the ideal of nurturing and unconditional love in their teachings. After Reverend Moon's passing in 2012, Hak Ja Han Moon assumed sole leadership of the Unification Church and changed the name to Heavenly Parent's Holy Community. In her leadership role, she has tirelessly carried forward their mission, upholding the church's emphasis on peace, interfaith dialogue, and strong, loving families. Under her guidance, the church has continued to flourish, spreading its message of unity and love to people around the globe.

(1920-2012) Heavenly Parent's Holy Community

Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture II. Universal Peace Federation, 2011, p. 68 [Sun Myung Moon (133:18, July 1, 1984)].

Sun Myung Moon


Theme: Serving

About This Sun Myung Moon Quotation [Commentary]

Sun Myung Moon’s quotation imparts a profound understanding of what it means to live a true life: altruism. According to Reverend Moon, selfless service or living for others is not just a moral imperative but a fundamental principle that transcends diverse belief systems and cultural backgrounds. This universality is emphasized by the affirmation of this principle by luminaries such as Confucius, Jesus, Muhammad, and Buddha, consolidating the concept that serving others forms the bedrock of our existence.

This principle holds a beautiful simplicity while harboring immense transformative potential. To live for others is to shift focus away from oneself and onto those around us, fostering empathy and a heightened understanding of the human condition. As we engage in acts of service, we are not only uplifting others but also enriching our own life experiences.

However, Reverend Moon invites us to delve deeper into the essence of this universal principle. It is not just about occasional good deeds or acts of kindness. Instead, it advocates for a paradigm shift in how we approach life; it asks us to view service to others as the primary mode of existence. This perspective reveals a deeper, more nuanced picture: to live a meaningful life, we must continually give without the expectation of receiving, to the point of embodying this ethos of selflessness in every aspect of our lives. In doing so, we come to understand the interconnectedness of all beings and recognize that our individual welfare is intrinsically linked to the well-being of others.

Additional Sun Myung Moon Quotes

Even looking at contemporary morals and social ethics, a certain principle applies. It is the standard that we live for the sake of others and not insist that others live for us.

—Sun Myung Moon [71:125, April 29, 1974].

What is a life of true love? In a nutshell, it is living for the sake of others. It is living for the sake of another before you wish that the other would do something for you. In living for others, you give and forget that you ever gave. You do not give in hopes of receiving something in return. You give and give to the point where you have no regrets for not having given more. Even as you give, you bow your head in humility. Thus, Jesus said, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

—Sun Myung Moon [January 27, 2004].