The Tradition, Book OneChung Hwan Kwak |
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Chapter 9 Although Father himself did not establish a Holy Ground until 1965, on January 1, 1963, he wrote the words "Holy Ground" in Chinese characters, and shared with those present his determination and plan to reclaim God's lands symbolically first through Holy Grounds, and later by restoring the homeland. Significance Originally all land belonged to Heavenly Father; it was His creation. Because of the fall, however, God lost everything. After Father's Holy Marriage in 1960, it became possible to regain land for God through establishing Holy Grounds. It was possible for Father to establish or direct the establishment of Holy Grounds because, as God's representative, he could reinstate God's ownership of certain territories. Neither Adam nor Jesus was able to accomplish this, because the second blessing of God must precede the third blessing; therefore, Jesus could establish only a spiritual kingdom. Furthermore, as Holy Grounds are heavenly property, Father, at minimum, returns them from Satan's dictatorship to God's rightful ownership. Symbolically, Holy Grounds are God's territory. In our prayers, we should visualize that Holy Ground will extend over the whole nation and ultimately the whole world. Holy Ground is a representative area of a nation or city; it is God's place, a place where He is more free to hear our prayers Through His representative, God symbolically restores that land as His own property. Founding the First Holy Grounds The first Holy Grounds were founded in Korea by several of Father's disciples, according to Father's instruction, before he himself actually established any. The locations and the dates the Holy Grounds were founded follow. October 5, 1962: Holy Grounds founded by Hyo Won Eu, Young Whi Kim, and Chung Hwan Kwak 1. Northern Part of Seoul: Sam Chung Park (Goo Jin Bong) 2. Central Part of Seoul (the central Holy Ground in Seoul): Chang Chung Park on Dobong Mountain (the park where Father often prayed.) October 6, 1962: A Holy Ground founded by In Soo Han, Young Whi Kim, and Chung Hwan Kwak 3. Southern part of Seoul: Heuk Suk Dong Park Young Whi Kim and Chung Hwan Kwak founded the following Holy Ground 4. Eastern part of Seoul: Tae Neung (a national forest preserve) October 7, 1962: Holy Ground founded by Young Whi Kim and Chung Hwan Kwak 5. Western part of Seoul: In Wang Mountain Establishment of Holy Grounds by Father From January 28, 1965 through October 10, 1965, Father made Holy Grounds in 39 nations. He returned to Korea and created Holy Grounds in each regional district before establishing the last seven (main) Holy Grounds in Seoul, including the one in Chungpadong Church. The five Holy Grounds listed above founded by the disciples were later established as official Holy Grounds by Father as part of these seven Holy Grounds. He finished blessing 120 Holy Grounds throughout the world on January 1, 1966. A list of Holy Grounds established by Father himself is included at the end of this chapter. Korean Regional and Local Holy Grounds After Father designated the main regional Holy Grounds in Korea, each regional director was then able to establish other local Holy Grounds. Caring for and Using Holy Grounds The state leader or national director is completely responsible to see that the Holy Ground itself, as well as the area surrounding it, is well kept. He or she should assign someone to clean, plant and attend to each Holy Ground, especially those which True Father himself established. Prayer at Holy Ground In Korea, Pledge service was often held at Holy Ground, even in the winter. Many Korean members still go to Holy Grounds to hold Pledge service, daily morning prayers, or all-night prayer vigils. This is a pattern which other nations or centers may wish to follow. True Father has often emphasized that members should pray at Holy Grounds as often as possible. Attitude Toward Holy Ground The atmosphere at Holy Ground is sacred. When we pray at a Holy Ground, our prayers relate to the historical foundation of comforting God's heart through reclaiming His land. Because of this, prayers offered at Holy Ground have a greater effect. Given the significance of Holy Ground, we should feel it is different from other places. Our mind and attitude should be more pious; we should feel closer to God. Establishing a Holy Ground Where to Make Holy Grounds At least one Holy Ground should be made in each city of a country in which there is a center. Selection of Place. The person making the Holy Ground should select a central place. A particularly distinct rock or tree, or an important landmark would be appropriate. When selecting the area, the person should keep in mind that it will be the members' place of prayer. Therefore, he or she should try to select a place at the top of a hill or an area with a beautiful view, for example. All Holy Grounds should be made outdoors. The only indoor Holy Ground is the main hall of the Chungpadong Church. Purchase the Land If at all possible, purchase land chosen as Holy Ground. In principle, land bought for this purpose should never be sold. Documentation It is very important that pictures be taken of each Holy Ground and that clear maps of its exact location (e.g., landmarks and surrounding area) be made. These records should be kept by each state or provincial and national headquarters. A copy of the description of the state or provincial Holy Ground (including pictures and map) should be sent to the national headquarters. Each national headquarters should send copies of the records and maps of major Holy Ground(s) (especially those made by True Father) to international headquarters. Procedure to Establish a Holy Ground Necessary Materials The essential materials for making a Holy Ground are Holy Salt and some soil (earth), including small rocks or pebbles from an established Holy Ground, preferably one made by True Father himself. Procedure The leader should select a minimum of five members (ideally 17 or more) to help him or her establish the new Holy Ground. The leader should go to the central place (tree, rock, etc.) chosen as Holy Ground and bury the pebbles and soil brought from an original Holy Ground along with a small portion of Holy Salt. From the central point, the leader should then face north and walk seven steps (refer to diagram 9.1-1). One of the members should stand at this place and face the central point. The leader should walk back to the central point, face the east and walk seven steps (9.1-2). One member should walk to that place and stand. The leader should then walk back to the central point and follow this same format going south (9.1-3), then west (9.1-4). One member should stand at the south, and one at the west position also. They should also face the central point. After the leader returns to the central point from the west, he or she should face south and then walk to the far south position (an additional twelve steps from the south position (9.1-5). Twelve members (if that
Figure 9-1 9.1. Forming a Holy Ground many additional members were able to attend) should stand at the far south position (as indicated in diagram 9.1). If more members are present, they should stand three steps in back of the twelve members, but no more than twelve should stand at the far south position. The leader should return to the central point once again and face south. All other members should be facing toward the central point. The leader should pray so as to include the following points: In the name of the Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit and True Parents name, the members assembled here desire to make this a Holy Ground. According to True Parents' victorious foundation, this ground is now conditionally Your holy base. It is symbolically the center of all ground which we want to claim as Your property Even though we have decided this particular area is conditionally Your Holy Ground, we pledge our determination to make all land become Holy Ground by our hard work. According to diagram 9.2, the leader should take Holy Salt and walk the seven steps to the north (9.2-1), sprinkling it as he goes. He should then return to the central point, and sprinkle Holy Salt as he walks seven steps to the east (9.2-2), and return once again to the central point. This same format should be followed going to the south (9.23), west 9.2-4) and far south (9.2-5) and return to the central point. After this, he or she should walk again to the north (9.3-A) (not using Holy Salt) and then sprinkle Holy Salt walking from north to east (9.3-B) then east to south (9.3-C), south to west (9.3-D), and west to north (9.3-E). The leader should then return to the central point (9.3-F) (not using Holy Salt) and walk from the central point to the east position (also not using Holy Salt) (9.3-G). He or she should then sprinkle Holy Salt, walking from east to far south (9.3-H), far south to west (9.3-I), and from the west, walk to the central point (9.3-J). The leader should face south and pray a prayer of gratitude and determination. A step-by-step outline of the format follows: 1. Decide the central point of the Holy Ground 2. Bury the soil, pebbles from an original Holy Ground with Holy Salt 3. From the central point, leader walks seven steps north (member comes to stand -- faces central point) and leader returns to the central point 4. From the central point, leader walks seven steps east (member comes to stand -- faces central point) and leader returns to the central point 5. From the central point, leader walks seven steps south (member comes to stand -- faces central point) and leader returns to the central point 6. From the central point, leader walks seven steps west (member comes to stand -- faces central point) and leader returns to the central point
Figure 9-2 9.2. Use of Holy Salt in establishing a Holy Ground
Figure 9-3 9.3. Use of Holy Salt in establishing a Holy Ground 7. From the south, leader walks twelve steps to the far south (a minimum of one and a maximum of twelve members stand at that position facing central point; any additional members should stand three steps behind the twelve members), and leader returns to the central point 8. Leader offers a prayer 9. Walking north seven steps from the central point, leader sprinkles Holy Salt and returns to the central point 10. Walking east seven steps from the central point, leader sprinkles Holy Salt and returns to the central point 11. Walking south seven steps from the central point, leader sprinkles Holy Salt and returns to the central point 12. Walking west seven steps from the central point, leader sprinkles Holy Salt and returns to the central point 13. Walking to the far south from the central point, leader sprinkles Holy Salt and returns to the central point 14. Leader again walks seven steps to the north position (not using Holy Salt) 15. Walking from the north to the east, leader sprinkles Holy Salt 16. Walking from the east to the south, leader sprinkles Holy Salt 17. Walking from the south to the west, leader sprinkles Holy Salt 18. Walking from the west to the north, leader sprinkles Holy Salt 19. Leader returns to the central point (not using Holy Salt) and walks from the central point to the east (also not using Holy Salt) 20. Walking from the east to the far south position, leader sprinkles Holy Salt 21. Walking from the far south to the west position, leader sprinkles Holy Salt 22. Leader returns to the central point, faces south and prays Not Enough Required Members. If at least five members cannot participate in the establishment of a Holy Ground, the leader may walk seven steps to each of these locations (north, east, south, west, and beyond the far south position) and place a symbolic item (rock, etc.). Connecting Holy Grounds It is physically impossible to actually sprinkle Holy Salt along the route from the original Holy Ground (from which the soil and pebbles are taken) to the area in which a new Holy Ground will be made. It is therefore important to sprinkle or spread a bit of Holy Salt at the site of the original Holy Ground when removing the soil and pebbles which will be buried at the new one. Bring this Holy Salt and the soil and pebbles when traveling to the location for the new Holy Ground. Doing so will symbolically "sprinkle" Holy Salt from the original Holy Ground to the new one to be made. At the outset of establishing a new Holy Ground, the leader should also pray that a connection between the two Holy Grounds be made. If Holy Ground Was Made Incorrectly If it is known that a Holy Ground was established incorrectly, the responsible person should first report this to the regional, national, or international headquarters. With the permission of the national or international headquarters, a designated leader should visit the Holy Ground and either pray according to the contents of the prayer used to make one, or simply use the steps outlined above to re-sanctify the Holy Ground. Temporary Holy Ground On occasion, a temporary Holy Ground is established. In one sense, though, any Holy Grounds established by city leaders and even missionaries may be considered "temporary." When a church elder visits the Holy Ground, he is able to designate it as a permanent one. A temporary Holy Ground could be established during a 40 day pioneer witnessing condition or when a member is sent to pioneer a city. When establishing a temporary Holy Ground, indicate it as such in prayer. Closing a Holy Ground. In principle, do not establish a (temporary) Holy Ground and leave the city without "closing" it. Visit this Holy Ground and offer a prayer informing Heavenly Father that this land is now terminated as a Holy Ground. Established Holy Grounds Not Belong Used No Holy Ground established by Father himself should be "closed," even if centers in those cities are temporarily or permanently closed due to a national reorganization, consolidation, or any other reason. If a Holy Ground Is Lost If the land on which Holy Ground (e.g., a park) is located is bought or rented (i.e., by the government or a corporation) and used for another purpose, making it impossible for it to be used as a Holy Ground any longer, choose another area (as a temporary replacement) and transfer the location of the Holy Ground. When a church elder is able to visit, he or she will be able to designate it as a new Holy Ground. List of 120 Holy Grounds Established by True Father Japan 1. Tokyo (Meige Shlisne) 1.31.65 United States 9. San Francisco, California 2.15.65 32. Martinsburg, Virginia 3.12.65 Other Nations 64. Ottawa, Canada 7.02.65 71. Madrid, Spain 7.13.65 Korea 106. Chun Cheon 12.08.65 112. Dae Jeon 12.19.65 |
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