The Legacy We Leave Behind: Reflections on the Seonghwa Ceremony

On Saturday, March 1, 2014, a beautiful and moving Legacy of Peace Seonghwa Ceremony was held at the National Golf Club in Las Vegas, celebrating the lifetime contribution of seven historic men and women towards a world of peace.

Meaning of Seonghwa

The Seonghwa tradition was initiated by True Parents, the Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, at the time of the passing of their second son, Heung Jin Moon. It celebrates “ascension” and “victory” rather than “death” and “loss” at the time of a person’s passing to the spiritual world, our eternal home.

First Legacy of Peace Seonghwa Ceremony

The first Legacy of Peace Seonghwa Ceremony was also initiated by True Father in March, 2010 at the United Nations in a program entitled, “Honoring a Legacy of Peace: A Memorial Ceremony of Ascension and Peace.” The simple ceremony, offered on a global platform at the United Nations, represented an expansion of the Seonghwa tradition to the world level to honor those who have left behind a “legacy of peace.” A Seonghwa ceremony is originally meant to be held at the time of a person’s passing to the spiritual world but through this ceremony, Rev. Moon desired to extend the beautiful vision that underlies our Seonghwa tradition to everyone, past and present.

The Las Vegas Legacy of Peace Seonghwa

The Las Vegas ceremony, sponsored by the Las Vegas Family Church along with local chapters of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), and the Family Education and Empowerment Foundation (FEEF), celebrated seven historic men and women for their lifetime contributions towards peace. They ranged from world leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela, to local Las Vegans including Dr. Marion Daniel Bennett, Mr. Robert R. Gripentog, Sr. (founder of the Lake Mead Marina), Irma Lozano, Dr. Reiko Kawasaki, and “First Lady of Las Vegas” Helen Stewart.

It was an inspiring program attended by over one hundred participants. Among them, two family judges, several pastors, Ambassadors for Peace, and a President of a Chamber of Commerce participated. The program featured a special tribute to the victims of typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, including the Pastor of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) Philippines. Honorable Judge Cheryl Moss, who is originally from the Philippines, acted as a representative for some of the victims, while others were represented by special friends and family.

After a flower presentation and candle lighting—in honor of True Father—by his son Kwon Jin Moon, the audience enjoyed beautiful music from some talented local members. A banquet following the program also included entertainment by a famous local celebrity singer, an Ambassador for Peace, and a surprise performance by Kwon Jin Moon, whose song brought a joyful end to the evening.

Our Own Legacy

The Seonghwa Ceremony is a time of appreciation, gratitude, self-reflection and renewal. It represents a critical turning point, a milestone, just like our birth and our Holy Marriage Blessing Ceremony. The holy tradition of celebrating the ascension of God’s sons and daughters from our temporary home in this physical world to our permanent hometown in the spiritual world should be shared with all of humanity.

Understanding the true meaning of the Seonghwa Ceremony allows us to view each passing as a celebration, and inspires us to leave our own legacy of peace here on earth. It brings the essential priorities of our lives into full view for honest self-assessment and re-dedication to a life of goodness.