The Tradition, Book OneChung Hwan Kwak |
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Chapter 17 Significance The English translation of Ae Chun Cho is Love of God Candles, referring to the love that God has for humankind. Unlike Shimjung or Birth Candles, Ae Chun Candles are a pair of candles. One is referred to as a "Father" candle and the other, a "Mother" candle. As they represent the harmony and love of the True Parents, these candles must always be burned together. The candlelight is a symbol to ward off all satanic infiltration; it gives a spiritual shield of protection from Satan. God and True Parents are present each time the Ae Chun Candles are lit. As Father began this tradition with Mother, when we light the Ae Chun Candles we are allowed to share the tradition of our True Parents. Whenever these candles are lit, the authority of true love is present. The speech which Father gave at Belvedere on May 20, 1984, in which he explains the significance of the Ae Chun Candles, was published in the August 1984 issue of Today's World and is excerpted below. The candles symbolize the true spirit of love. The light is on top and the wax is self-consuming; it gives itself up to the light. Thus it is representative of sacrificial love. The light itself comes not only from the wick but from the harmony of the wick and the wax; both are needed. This symbolism is very important. Likewise the husband and wife are in the same position. You must give yourself up for the sake of true love. History On the foundation of the association of the Il Jeung prayer (refer to chapter 5, Il Jeung Prayer and Fund, for further details) and the establishment of the Day of the Love of God, Father and Mother created Ae Chun Candles on May 16, 1984. Ae Chun Candles were bequeathed to blessed couples for the first time on May 20, 1984. Father and Mother left for East Garden directly after the close of Sunday service. They returned to Belvedere shortly afterwards, each carrying a burning candle. As described in the subsequent sections, they passed on the flame from their candles to those brought by blessed members present. Format Used by True Parent's to Bequeath the Ae Chun Candles The couples able to inherit Ae Chun Candles directly from the flames of the True Parents' candles received a great honor and treasure. It is to their benefit to be able to multiply new candles from these "seed" Ae Chun Candles. However, this does not mean that Ae Chun Candles inherited from other couples are less valuable; all blessed couples who inherit the tradition and significance of this candle are given a great honor. Necessary Materials. All materials were to be sanctified with Holy Salt before the ceremony. Candles. Each member was asked to bring a pair of candles according to the specifications in the section entitled, Candle and Lighter Specifications. Lighter or matches. Each member was asked to bring a refillable lighter and either a box or book of matches. Bequeathing the Candles. The Father and Mother Ae Chun Candles were lit by our True Parents at East Garden and brought to Belvedere. The burning candles were placed side by side on a table in the front of the room. All blessed members with candles lined up according to Blessing order. Inheriting the Candles. If both husband and wife were present. The men lined up on the right and women on the left (facing the altar). If husband and wife were both present, they stood in line together, each holding a candle. However, once they were at the front of the line and ready to receive the flame from the light of our True Parents' Ae Chun Candles, the husband inherited the flame for both candles. On approaching the altar with the True Parents' Ae Chun Candles, husband and wife both offered a slight bow of the head. The husband took the candle which was to become the couple's Father candle, and with the respectful position of holding it with both hands, lit it with the flame of the True Parents' Father candle and set it down. He then took the other candle which his wife had been holding, and again held it between his hands, and lit this candle from the True Parents' Mother candle. After both new candles were lit from the flames of the True Parents' Father and Mother candles, their flames were joined for a moment, symbolizing unified love. They were burned next to each other with the sets inherited by other couples and left to burn for 40 minutes before they were extinguished. As the couple left the altar, they both bowed their heads again slightly. Only one spouse present. If only one representative of the couple was present, he or she went through this ceremony alone. Standing in line, he or she held both new candles. Once at the altar, the member put down the candle which was to become the Mother candle and, holding the Father candle in both hands, lit it from the flame of the True Parents' Father candle. After it was burning, he or she set the candle on the table and then took the other candle, held it between both hands, and lit it from the True Parents' Mother candle. After joining the flames of these newly made candles, the blessed member then placed both candles with all other sets, and they were left to burn for forty minutes. Bequeathing Lighters or Matches to use with Ae Chun Candles. Lighter. Each member who brought a refillable lighter touched the flames of each of the True Parents' Ae Chun Candles with the lighter. Matches. Matches were bequeathed in a manner different from the Shimjung and Birth Matches. Each person who brought a box of matches simply touched the side of the box (or book of matches) used to strike the matches through the flames of both the Father and Mother candles. Prayer. The translation of the prayer which True Father offered during the burning of the candles, from the July 1984 Today's World follows. May 20, 1984: Loving Heavenly Father, I declare that today is the Day of the Love of God. This is a sign of victory, that this candle will never be extinguished. May this light reflect everywhere the love of True Parents and the love of God. [Page 139] Wherever this candle burns may the family be united, and may that family have peace, connecting with the sovereignty of Your love through this light. This candle will be able to prevent the power of darkness, to prevent all that is improper, and to protect from the shadow of discord whoever holds this light; please, allow this candle to become a candle of the victory of holiness. Also, whoever loves this candle, wherever the special prayer is given, may they be united with True Parents, with the world of spirit and the world of body, under the governance of Your love. I initiate the Ae Chun Candle in order to connect the everlasting future history with Your glory. Therefore, until the Kingdom of Heaven is established I bless them (all those who hold these candles) in order that they may succeed. I declare all this in the name of the True Parents. Amen. Amen. Amen. Candle and Lighter Specifications Candles The candles purchased should be approximately three inches in diameter and from eight to twelve inches in length. If it is difficult to find such large candles, it is acceptable to inherit the flame of Ae Chun Candles with ones smaller in length and diameter. Depending on finances and availability, candles to go through the multiplication process need not be the size as those originally inherited. It is best to purchase white candles. Lighter or Matches According to personal convenience, Father has approved that either matches or a lighter be used to light one's Ae Chun Candles. Lighters should be the refillable kind for lifetime use with the Ae Chun Candles. Bequeathing Ae Chun Candles and Lighters Who May Bequeath Ae Chun Candles Any blessed member who has inherited "seed" Ae Chun Candles may bequeath this tradition to another blessed couple. It is not necessary for both husband and wife to be present in order to bequeath this tradition to another couple. One or the other may conduct the ceremony. Who May Inherit Ae Chun Candles Any blessed member in good standing may inherit a pair of these candles. (See also the section on Inheriting Ae Chun Candles and Lighters, for more details.) Each blessed couple (or one spouse representing the couple) must inherit the flames of the Ae Chun Candles in person. When to Hold the Ceremony There is no particular time when such a ceremony should be held. A major, national, or regional leader may decide the date for such a ceremony and gather blessed members. Either a national Blessed Family Department or the International Blessed Family Department may hold such a ceremony as well. Depending on the circumstances, such a ceremony can be held for either an individual couple or a number of couples at one time. Necessary Materials Each couple should bring two candles (see "Specifications" section) and either one lighter or a box or book of matches to such a ceremony. If leaders are bequeathing many pairs of Ae Chun Candles to their blessed members, they may desire to purchase the materials for them. Sanctification Procedure Unlike the Shimjung and Birth Candles, no special sanctification procedure is needed other than the use of Holy Salt on all materials. Bequeathing Ceremony Refer to diagram 17.1 for one possibility in setting up the altar area for this ceremony. The leader (or blessed member) bequeathing the light of the Ae Chun Candles should light his or her "seed" Ae Chun Candles with his or her Ae Chun Lighter or Matches. The flames of these candles should be brought together for a moment and the leader should offer a prayer.
Figure 17-1 17.1. Setting up Ae Chun Candle Bequeathing Ceremony Inheriting Ae Chun Candles and Lighters All blessed couples may inherit a set of Ae Chun Candles. Couples must inherit the flames of the pair of Ae Chun Candles in person at a bequeathing ceremony. Therefore, the husband of the couple should not inherit only a Father candle and his wife inherit only a Mother candle at two different ceremonies. If the couple is not together, either the husband or the wife may attend a bequeathing ceremony and should inherit BOTH candles at this time. The couple should decide among themselves which of them will attend such a ceremony.
Figure 17-2 17.2. Inheriting the flame of the Ae Chun Candle The member who inherited the pair of Ae Chun Candles may then multiply the candles (refer to Multiplying Ae Chun Candles and Lighters, this chapter) and send one pair to his or her spouse. After lighting the set of "seed" Ae Chun Candles with the bequeathed Ae Chun Lighter or Matches, the blessed member should pass a new lighter or box of matches through the flames and send it to his or her spouse along with the set of multiplied Ae Chun Candles. How to Inherit Ae Chun Candles and Lighters According to diagram 17.1, either individual blessed members or blessed couples should line up with candles in their hands. Members should follow the basic format presented in the sections under "Inheriting Candles," Format Used by True Parents to Bequeath Ae Chun Candles (refer to diagram 17.2). After the couple has inherited the flame to their Father and Mother candles, the flames should be joined for a moment (diagram 17.3) and placed standing side by side to burn for forty minutes.
Figure 17-3 17.3. Join the flames During this time, members should have a prayerful attitude, although it is not necessary to pray throughout the entire 40-minute period. Mark the Candles. The Father and Mother candles should be marked or in some way the differences between the two candles designated. The candles should not be mixed up. Multiplying Ae Chun Candles and Lighters Preparation The Ae Chun Candles are multiplied in a similar format to the Shimjung and Birth Candles; however, these must always be multiplied in pairs. Therefore, six new candles must be purchased. (Refer to "Specifications" for details.) Candle holders. If large candles are purchased for multiplication, it is not necessary to use candle holders, but they may be used if desired. If large candles are not affordable or available, candle holders may be needed during this procedure. (Refer to chapter 15, Shimjung Candles: Candle holders, for details.) Candles. Two four positions are formed (diagram 17.4). The "seed" Father and the "seed" Mother candles bequeathed to each couple are placed in God's position. Three new candles are to be placed in the positions of Adam, Eve, and Child for each of the four position foundations made. Light both "seed" candles from the Ae Chun Lighter (or Matches) (diagram 17.5). Three new "Father" candles are multiplied by using the "seed" Father candle to light the new candles placed in the Adam, Eve and Child positions in this formation (diagram 17.6). Replace it in its position (diagram 17.7). The same should be done in the Mother candle formation. The flames of each pair of candles in the corresponding positions (i.e., the candles in the Adam position of both Father and Mother formations, etc.) should be joined together for a moment (diagram 17.8). These candles do not have to be burned for 40 minutes in pairs. Rather, they should be burned for a few minutes in their positions before extinguishing. All candles should be marked and not mixed up. They should be stored in pairs according to the positions they occupied in the four position foundations, i.e., store together the Father and Mother candle which each stood in the "Adam" position, etc.
Figure 17-4 17.4. Positions for multiplying the Father and Mother Ae Chun Candles [Page 145]
Figure 17-5 17.5. Use Ae Chun Lighter (or matches) to light both Ae Chun Candles
Figure 17-6 17.6. The "Seed" Father and Mother Ae Chun Candles are taken from God's position to light the new candles in the positions of Adam, Eve. Child [Page 146]
Figure 17-7 17.7. Replace "seed" Father and Mother Ae Chun Candles in God's position in each formation
Figure 17-8 17.8. Join the names of each pair of candles in the corresponding positions Prayer. The prayer should begin, "Under God and in True Parents' name, I want these candles to become Ae Chun Candles..." Lighter. When it becomes necessary, refill the lighter with butane or some other fuel. Matches. Ae Chun Matches may be multiplied by briefly touching a new box of matches to the flames of both Ae Chun Candles. Extinguishing Candles Ae Chun Candles may be extinguished in the same way as Father has taught, i.e., between two fingers. However, it is also acceptable to blow them out. Using Ae Chun Candles and Lighters Method Ae Chun Candles must always be burned as a pair. However, the flames do not have to join each time the pair of candles is burned. (Refer to diagram 17.1 for the proper placement of the Father and Mother candles on an altar.) Use of Ae Chun Candles During Il Jeung Prayer Each blessed member may light his or her Ae Chun Candles during all or part of his or her Il Jeung prayer vigil. Emergencies If there is an emergency on the family level or center/church level, a blessed couple may use the Ae Chun Candles during prayer; however, basically Ae Chun Candles should be burned during prayer for a high level purpose -- i.e., national, world or cosmic level. Daily Prayers The Ae Chun Candles may be used by blessed families during daily prayers (services or conditions); however, it should be remembered that True Parents bequeathed these candles to be burned during prayer for purposes higher than the individual and family levels. During Times of Separation Blessed couples in separate missions should each have a set of Ae Chun Candles to use, multiplied from the "seed" Ae Chun Candles bequeathed to them as a couple. Storing Ae Chun Candles "Seed" Ae Chun Candles It is recommended that couples never allow their "seed" Ae Chun Candles to burn completely but save them in order to make more pairs of Father and Mother candles. If they have been burned completely and are no longer usable, it is proper to use another pair of previously multiplied Ae Chun Candles for multiplying more sets. Place those particular candles in God's position of each four position foundation formed to multiply more candles. These candles are very different in purpose from any others and should be marked and stored accordingly. Multiplied Ae Chun Candles As the Ae Chun Candles are multiplied in pairs, they should be stored in the same manner. (Refer to Multiplying Ae Chun Candles and Lighters, "Candles.") After a set of candles is multiplied which a member will use immediately, the other two sets should be marked (distinguishing Father and Mother candles) and stored accordingly. When the set in use is finished, bring out another set from storage. As with Shimjung and Birth Candles, small pieces of the candles may eventually be discarded after they are too small to use. For definitions of the terms "seed", bequeath, inherit, and multiply please refer to the appendix |
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