UNJournal Jon Lee | This text is not taken from ancient scriptures or old literature. It is a Dharma discourse left by Damhwa, who transcribed the thoughts that arose in his heart, character by character, one day while continuing his 100-day prayer at Palgongsan Mountain amidst quiet ascetic practice.

During the time he spent in deep mountain reflection and prayer, what arose in his mind was not personal success or advancement. It was a world where people cherish one another, where the wealthy bestow virtue, and where all people of different backgrounds harmonize to find peace together.
The phrase imprinted in his heart at that time was "Manmin Chonghwa" (All People Together), which refers to a world where everyone blends together to form one great harmony.
Capturing that prayerful spirit, he wrote the following at the time. The spirit of a hero pervades the world, and the people flourish in harmony.

The body radiates radiance, the spirit is radiant, wealth attains great virtue, and craftsmanship fills the soul; human beings shine like treasures, the Way of the Immortal leads with reverence, and finally, all affairs are at peace, and merit and virtue reach their peak.
The world always speaks of heroes.
However, the true hero spoken of in Buddhism is not one who subjugates others and dominates the world. A true hero is one who controls their own greed, overcomes anger, and knows how to use their strength and abilities for the benefit of others.
It is more difficult to conquer oneself than to conquer others. To know when to stop when greed arises, to swallow one's words when anger strikes, and to humble oneself when one has risen to a high position—this is spiritual practice and the mark of a great human being.

A world where one prospers alone cannot last long. The phrase "Manmin Chonghwa" (Harmony of All People) holds a significant meaning that our society today must reconsider. No one can live alone. The wealthy live alongside the poor, businesses grow with the people, and leaders exist within the trust of the people.

In Buddhism, this is viewed through the principle of dependent origination. Everything in the world exists by relying on one another. Just as a single lotus flower cannot bloom alone without water, soil, sunlight, and wind, a person's success is achieved through the help of countless people and connections.
Therefore, the more successful one becomes, the more one must reflect upon oneself. Whom will I save with what I possess? Whom will I help with the position I have attained? What kind of world will I create with the wisdom I possess? A person who never forgets these questions is a truly successful person.

Passion must be accompanied by warmth. Passion is the power that propels people forward. However, if there is only passion without compassion, that power can sometimes harm others. Therefore, a heart of harmony is necessary alongside burning passion.
Firmly upholding one's own convictions while respecting the thoughts of others, never looking down on others even if one possesses outstanding abilities, and never losing one's initial humility even after achieving success—that is the mark of a great person.
Light does not shine brightly merely to boast of oneself. It is precious because it illuminates the darkness. The same applies to human ability and power. The ability to illuminate someone else's path is more beautiful than the ability to shine only for oneself.

The moment wealth becomes virtue: While our society talks extensively about how to become rich, it speaks relatively little about how to live after becoming wealthy. Wealth itself is neither good nor evil. What matters is how it was acquired and where it is used. If accumulated solely for oneself, it remains mere property; however, if used to help those in need, nurture the next generation, revitalize culture and education, and benefit society, that wealth becomes great virtue.

This is also why Buddhism regards giving (Dosa) as an important practice. Those who possess much do not necessarily give much. Merit and virtue begin with the heart that knows how to willingly share even the smallest things.

Those who leave behind virtue are remembered longer than those who leave behind wealth. One must empty to hold something greater. People spend their entire lives filling things up. They fill up with wealth, knowledge, and build honor and careers.
However, Buddhist practice asks the opposite question: “What have you emptied?” If you empty one greed, gratitude enters; if you let go of one hatred, compassion enters; and if you let go of one attachment, peace comes to the mind. Just as a vessel must be empty to hold new things, a person's mind must know how to empty itself to create room for wisdom.
Therefore, true spiritual practice lies not in possessing much, but in not clinging to what one possesses.
It is a world where people are the treasures of people. Ultimately, what our society must cherish most is people. People come before money, people come before power, and institutions and the state must exist for the happiness and peace of people.

Those who reach out to those in need, those who offer warm words to the wounded, those who live honestly in their own places, and those who create a path of harmony where there is conflict.
Such a person is truly a treasure of the world.
When one person becomes a treasure, a family brightens; and when a family brightens, neighbors become warm.

Only when that warm heart spreads to society and extends to the nation does the path to complete peace open.

Blessings and virtue are not luck that suddenly falls from the sky one day. They are accumulated through a single warm word spoken today, a small promise kept today, anger suppressed today, and a hand extended to someone in need.

A word from the Master of Conversation:
“A hero is not one who conquers the world, but one who conquers their own heart and embraces people.”
Fill your wealth with virtue, fill your passion with compassion, and your convictions with harmony.
Rather than becoming someone who climbs high alone to look down on the world, become someone who reaches out to the low places and rises together. When my success becomes the hope of my neighbors, when my wealth wipes away someone's tears, and when my wisdom becomes a lamp that illuminates the world, then a person truly becomes a treasure to others.

When such precious people embrace one another, a world of "Total Harmony" opens up, where all people prosper together in harmony, and finally, we will advance toward the great path of "Peace in All Things."