1920
Born in Korea in the aftermath of World War I, during a time of national suffering under Japanese occupation.
“The essence of love is to cast aside any thought of having others live for one’s self; it is to live for the sake of others and give for the whole. Love gives, but then forgets even the fact that it has given and continues to give without ceasing. This is a love that gives in joy. ”
REV. SUN MYUNG MOON
A Life of Vision, Faith, and Peace
Sun Myung Moon devoted his life to a single, unwavering vision: a world of peace rooted in true love, strong families, and a shared relationship with God. From a young age, his life was marked by deep prayer, sacrifice, and a heartfelt desire to heal a divided world.
In 1954, he established the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity in Seoul. Often known as the Unification Church, it was founded with a clear purpose—to go beyond denominational boundaries and help people understand God’s heart, the meaning of life, and the path toward unity between the spiritual and physical worlds.
As his mission grew, Reverend Moon placed increasing emphasis on the family as the starting point of lasting peace. In 1996, he founded the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, calling people of all backgrounds to build families centered on love, fidelity, and responsibility. This vision was expanded further through the Universal Peace Federation, which works with leaders from every sector of society to promote cooperation, reconciliation, and shared moral values.
At the heart of his work is the Holy Marriage Blessing, which he and his wife, Hak Ja Han Moon, have led since their marriage in 1960. These Blessing ceremonies are not simply weddings; they are sacred commitments to form families that transcend race, nationality, and culture—families meant to reflect God’s ideal and become the foundation for a peaceful world.
Reverend Moon also understood the responsibility of leadership and media in shaping society. Through initiatives such as The Washington Times, he sought to encourage principled dialogue, moral clarity, and a deeper sense of accountability in public life.
For Reverend Moon, peace was never an abstract ideal. It was something to be built—patiently and deliberately—through faith, family, and service. His life continues to inspire us to live not only for ourselves, but for the sake of others, as we work toward the realization of One Family under God.
Sun Myung Moon was a powerful and inspiring speaker whose words continue to guide and challenge people around the world. Over the course of his life, his sermons and addresses were carefully preserved in more than 600 volumes, primarily in Korean, with selected passages translated into many languages so that people of all cultures could engage with his message.
At the heart of his teaching is what we know as the Unification Principle, called Wolli (원리) in Korean and often translated into English as the Divine Principle. The word wolli simply means “principle,” reflecting Father Moon’s belief that God’s truth is grounded in clear, universal principles that explain the purpose of life, the course of human history, and the path toward restoration, true love, and harmonious families. These teachings are offered not merely as ideas to be studied, but as guidance for living a life aligned with God’s heart and for building a peaceful world.
Sun Myung Moon lived with a deep sense of responsibility for the future of humanity. His legacy reaches far beyond religion alone, shaped by a lifelong commitment to building peace in practical, lasting ways. Guided by the belief that peace must be supported by strong moral foundations, he founded and supported dozens of organisations dedicated to international cooperation, education, and reconciliation.
At a time of intense global division, Father Moon spoke clearly and consistently against totalitarian, atheistic communism, not out of hostility, but out of concern for human dignity, freedom, and spiritual values. He supported the development of thoughtful, systematic responses that affirmed the importance of faith, conscience, and responsibility in public life.
He also believed that peace is nurtured through culture and shared human experience. Seeing art and sport as powerful bridges between people, he invested in football clubs, symphony orchestras, and ballet companies. In 1963, he founded The Little Angels, a children’s dance troupe that went on to become cherished ambassadors of Korean culture, bringing beauty, innocence, and goodwill to audiences around the world.
Father Moon’s vision extended into economic and humanitarian efforts as well. He supported industrial development, including the establishment of a car factory in North Korea, and devoted significant effort to ocean development. Believing the seas held vital solutions to global hunger and malnutrition, he invested heavily in fish farming and the creation of high-quality protein food products to serve communities in need.
Committed to unity among faiths, Father Moon organised numerous interfaith conferences to encourage cooperation and mutual respect between religions. He also proposed the creation of an Interfaith Council at the United Nations, reflecting his conviction that spiritual wisdom must play a guiding role in global decision-making. His thinking was boldly global in scope—symbolised by his long-standing advocacy for a tunnel under the Bering Strait, envisioned as a physical and symbolic link connecting nations through an international highway.
Together, these efforts reflect a legacy rooted in action: a life devoted to healing divisions, uplifting humanity, and building a world where nations, cultures, and religions can move forward together as One Family under God.
Timeline of Rev Sun Myung Moon's life course
1935
On Easter Sunday in 1935, experienced a profound, life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ, who entrusted him with a great mission and guided him personally.
1940s
During his student years, discovered clear and compelling answers to the deepest questions of faith, purpose, and human life.
Became involved in the underground Korean independence movement and was arrested and tortured for his activities.
After Korea’s liberation in 1945, he began sharing his spiritual insights with individuals and movements he believed God was leading him to. Facing misunderstanding and opposition in the South, he traveled north and established a new spiritual movement. He was soon arrested by the Communist regime, brutally tortured, and in 1948 sentenced to five years in a labor camp.
1950s
Rescued from certain death during the Korean War by United Nations forces, he returned to South Korea as a penniless refugee.
Following the war’s end in 1953, his movement began to grow rapidly. In 1954, it was officially registered in Seoul.
With only a small group of followers and against overwhelming odds, he laid the foundation for what would become a global movement within 25 years.
1960s
In 1960, he entered into a Holy Marriage with Hak Ja Han Moon.
Together, they began officiating Marriage Blessing ceremonies—first for their followers, and later for couples of all faiths, cultures, and nations.
1970s
He preached extensively throughout the United States, filling major stadiums. One rally in Washington, D.C. drew 300,000 participants, while a gathering in South Korea in 1975 brought together 1.2 million people.
During this decade, he established schools, newspapers, hospitals, humanitarian aid organizations, shipbuilding facilities, and businesses. He also launched annual international conferences bringing together scientists, academics, and media leaders.
Marriage Blessings expanded to include several thousand couples.
1980s
Additional newspapers were founded, including The Washington Times.
He organized large-scale interreligious conferences and initiatives addressing the limitations of atheistic materialism. In 1985, he publicly predicted the imminent collapse of Communism.
Marriage Blessings during this period included ceremonies for up to 15,000 couples at a time.
1990s
He met personally with key leaders of the Communist world, including President Mikhail Gorbachev in Moscow and Chairman Kim Il-sung in Pyongyang. Seven years later, he helped establish an automobile factory in North Korea.
Global educational, interfaith, and peace initiatives were launched, including the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification and the Women’s Federation for World Peace.
Millions of couples worldwide received the Marriage Blessing.
During this decade, he also published World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts.
2000s
Major peace initiatives were undertaken in the Middle East.
The Universal Peace Federation was founded to promote cooperation among political, religious, and civic leaders.
At the age of 85, he embarked on a speaking tour across 120 nations and received numerous honorary doctorates.
His autobiography, As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen, was published in 2009 and became a bestseller in South Korea.
2010s
He passed away in 2012 at the age of 92. Following his passing, Hak Ja Han Moon continued to expand global peace, family, and interfaith initiatives.
Large religious communities around the world increasingly embraced these teachings.
The Sunhak Peace Prize was established to recognize individuals and organizations advancing peace and environmental stewardship.
Marriage Blessing ceremonies continued annually for thousands of couples.
2020 and Beyond
The World Summit 2020 was held in Seoul, bringing together thousands of global leaders, including current and former heads of state.
Global peace networks were launched, connecting parliamentarians, religious leaders, media professionals, scientists, students, academics, and entrepreneurs.
Efforts toward lasting peace and the reunification of Korea continue today.
The Journey Continues -
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Discover inside the Life and Legacy
Stories that reveal a life lived for peace, guided by love, faith, and selfless service.