The family is the school of love; it is the most important school in life. Within the family, children cultivate the depth and breadth of their heart to love others.
Sun Myung Moon
The School of Love
Theme: Understanding
The family is the school of love; it is the most important school in life. Within the family, children cultivate the depth and breadth of their heart to love others [Shimjung]. It is education of love and emotion that only parents can provide, and it becomes the foundation stone to form the children’s character. The family is also the school teaching virtues, norms and manners. It is the way of Heaven that people receive academic education, physical education and technical education on the foundation of this primary education of heart and norm.
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.
Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture II. Universal Peace Federation, 2011, p. 707 [Sun Myung Moon 271:80, Aug. 22, 1995].
Sun Myung Moon
Theme: Understanding
Sun Myung Moon 271:80, Aug. 22, 1995
Sun Myung Moon’s insight that “The family is the school of love” captures a core principle about human growth and societal well-being. Within this essential environment, children learn more than just basic emotional responses; they are initiated into the complex dynamics of loving relationships that are fundamental to societal structure. Reverend Moon explains that the family is where children develop the depth and breadth of their hearts, gaining the essential capacity to love and empathize with others. This education, uniquely provided by parents, lays the groundwork for character development and prepares them for broader societal roles.
Expanding on this, Sun Myung Moon points out that the family also instills virtues, norms, and manners—skills as crucial as academic knowledge. These teachings, aligned with the “way of Heaven,” suggest that such education nurtures individual character in accordance with a divine order. By highlighting the family’s pivotal role in transmitting these values, Reverend Moon emphasizes its importance not just as a societal microcosm but as the primary channel for perpetuating societal norms and values.
Reverend Moon’s perspective integrates the teaching of love in the family with spirituality and divine guidance, arguing that true education in love involves more than human effort; it is rooted in divine love. He promotes a family dynamic where parents exemplify unity and affection, serving as role models for their children. This harmonious environment, he asserts, is crucial for fostering genuine understanding and maturity, allowing children to internalize and reflect the values of their Heavenly Parent. Thus, the family as the “school of love” is vital for personal growth and realizing the divine potential within each individual.
The Meaning of Shimjung
Shimjung means “Heart to love others” in Korean.
–[World Scripture II, Universal Peace Federation, 2011] p. 707.
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