Co-Chairs of the IRF Summit Ring the Bell to Pray for Peace and Justice

2023-01-25

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Ambassador Sam Brownback, right, and Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, left, co-chairs of the IRF Summit 2022, rang the Bell of World Peace and Love to promote the idea of love and peace with Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze. (AP Images)

The 2022 International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit was held on June 28-30 in Washington, D.C., gathering approximately 1,000 religious, political, and academic leaders from around the world, as well as religious organizations and individuals concerned about religious freedom. During the conference, Tai Ji Men hosted bell ringing ceremonies, and six visionary leaders rang the Bell and wished for religious freedom for all and world peace.

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Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback rings the Bell of World Peace and Love in Washington, D.C. on June 28, 2022. (AP Images)

Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for IRF Sam Brownback rang the Bell and stated, “I pray for peace that surpasses understanding for everyone!” Ambassador Brownback once stated that freedom of religion is a fundamental human right, without which humanity cannot flourish, emphasizing, “We believe governments’ role is to protect that innate right of a person to select their own course of future for their soul.”

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Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, president of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, rings the Bell of World Peace and Love as Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze looks on in Washington, D.C. on June 28, 2022. (AP Images)

Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, president of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, rang the Bell and stated, “I pray daily for peace but also for justice because without justice and freedom - especially freedom of religion and belief, there cannot be any peace.” She also expressed her gratitude to Tai Ji Men, saying, “I am grateful for the spirit of this wonderful community.”

Four additional bell ringers were: Bishop Gregory Mansour of Saint Maron of Brooklyn; David Curry, commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and president and CEO of Open Doors USA; Nadine Maenza, president of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat and former chair of USCIRF; and Bishop Dr. Sunday Onuoha, founder and president of Vision of Africa.

Tai Ji Men’s Bell of World Peace and Love Rings in Silicon Valley
Balancing Technology and Spirituality

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U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna rang Tai Ji Men’s Bell of World Peace and Love during a town hall meeting in Sunnyvale, California on August 28, 2022. He is the 427th bell ringer around the world. (AP Images)

San Jose is known as the "Capital of Silicon Valley," and the more advanced the technology, the more important it is to attain mental and spiritual balance. To commemorate the 21st anniversary of Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in San Jose, ceremonies of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love were held on August 26 and 28, with California State Senator Dave Cortese and U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna ringing the bell respectively.

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CA State Senator Dave Cortese, left, presents a certificate of recognition to Tai Ji Men for its contributions to people’s physical, mental, and spiritual health in his district and the global promotion of the culture of peace with love and conscience. (Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy)

Senator Cortese rang the Bell and made a wish “for peace among every nation” as he congratulated the academy on its 21st anniversary. He presented to Dr. Hong a State of California Senate Certificate of Recognition, commending Tai Ji Men in San Jose for 21 years of service for providing education physical, mental and spiritual health in California’s District 15 and promoting the culture of peace with love and conscience worldwide.

U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna rang the Bell and made a wish “to have good relations with all countries working on climate” during a town hall meeting in Sunnyvale, California.

On August 28, Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in San Jose celebrated its 21st anniversary at the Saratoga Country Club, with over 150 people in attendance and received congratulatory messages from people in 22 countries. Fremont Mayor Lily Mei presented a certificate of recognition to Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the leader of Tai Ji Men, congratulating and commending Tai Ji Men. She stated, "I think right now, more than ever, we need people to have a compass, for kindness, for compassion, for our community."

On behalf of the Milpitas City Council, Milpitas Vice Mayor Carmen Montano congratulated the academy and presented a commendation to Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, saying, “Tai Ji Men Qigong is the practice of finding balance between body and mind, and to cultivate a higher level of consciousness, physical and emotional health, as well as spiritual enlightenment.”

Tai Ji Men dizi of all ages sang a song titled "A Prayer for Peace," encouraging everyone to strive for a better future. They invited the guests to endorse the Declaration of International Day of Conscience and the Declaration for the Movement of An Era of Conscience, consolidating people’s good energy for a better world.

Healing from the Devastation and Losses of 9/11
Tai Ji Men Hosts Ceremonies of Ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love

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California State Senator Josh Newman rang the Bell of World Peace and Love and made a wish for peace on September 10, 2022.

In commemoration of the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, in September, Tai Ji Men held several ceremonies of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love in the United States. California State Assemblymember Alex Lee; Dr. Zaw Linn Maung, Consul General of Myanmar; and California State Senator Josh Newman rang the Bell on September 7, 9 and 10, respectively.

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Dr. Zaw Linn Maung, Consul General of Myanmar, center, rang the Bell of World Peace and Love and made a wish for peace on September 9, 2022.

“It is my hope that all of the people of the world will someday soon be able to enjoy the security, assurance, and prosperity that comes with true peace,” said Senator Newman when ringing the Bell, adding, “In ringing the bell of peace, I am very honored to join a long list of exemplary leaders and diplomats from around the globe who rang this bell as a symbol of our shared commitment to peace.” He presented a California Senate Certificate of Recognition to Dr. Hong, commending Dr. Hong, Tai Ji Men, and FOWPAL for fostering cross-cultural dialogue, which is so essential to overcoming the intolerance, racism, and xenophobia that too often lead to violence and war.

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On behalf of Congresswoman Young Kim, her District Representative Abigail Fachtmann, left, presented to Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL and leader of Tai Ji Men, a Certificate of Congressional Recognition.

On behalf of Congresswoman Young Kim, her District Representative Abigail Fachtmann presented to Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze a Certificate of Congressional Recognition, which states, “In recognition of the Ceremonious Ringing of the Bell of World Peace and Love in remembrance of the 9/11 attack. Thank you for your dedication to spreading positivity in our community.”

A new commitment to the cause of peace, love, and justice

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Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, presented Prof. Massimo Introvigne, managing director of CESNUR, with a key to the heart in recognition of his contribution to peace.

Since June 2022, many leaders in various fields have rung the Bell of World Peace and Love in the United States, sending their wishes for peace to the world. On July 27, 2022, Kenneth Jacobsen, professor of law at Temple University in Philadelphia, rang the Bell in Washington, D.C. and made a wish for “peace, love, tolerance, understanding and compassion in this world.” He said, “We're all human beings on this earth, and that we can disagree but disagree respectfully and civilly but always come from a place in the heart and in the soul then I think we would have less conflicts.” Prof. Jacobsen and Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the leader of Tai Ji Men, have been working together for peace, human rights, and justice for many years, but this was the first time they met, and they embraced each other happily, cherishing the friendship. Prof. Jacobsen presented replicas of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution to Dr. Hong, highlighting the importance of their ongoing and collaborative advocacy of justice and the rule of law.

“May peace and love prevail for the world and for Tai Ji Men–peace with conscience and justice,” stated Prof. Massimo Introvigne, an Italian sociologist and the managing director of the Center for Studies on New Religions, when ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love in Los Angeles on August 8, 2022. Prof. Introvigne shared how powerful, humbling, and emotional the experience was for him and explained how the Bell represents a microcosm of the vast universe. “When you attune yourself, you vibrate with the bell; you let the energy of the bell carry you. You are really attuned with the universe," he stated, adding, "Conscience is the center of the bell because it is the center of the universe.” He also shared the impact of the experience on him: “From today, from ringing the bell, I believe for me personally starts a new commitment to fight for peace, love, and justice.”

【Special Report】Taking Actions of Conscience, 52 Influential Leaders Ring Tai Ji Men’s Peace Bell to Pray for World Peace More link: http://en.worldpeoplenews.com/sites/en.worldpeoplenews.com/files/50influ...