Today, we visit New Zealand, one of the rare countries to receive many Shining World Awards. In 2006, the government of New Zealand was the recipient of the Shining World Leadership Award for Peace and in 2018, the Shining World Leadership Award for Compassion. In 2019, the New Zealand government also became a laureate of the Shining World Leadership Award for Earth Conservation, the Shining World Leadership Award for Earth Protection, the Shining World Leadership Award for Climate-Change Mitigation, and the Shining World Leadership Award for Earth Restoration, etc. New Zealand’s indigenous Māori title is “Aotearoa,” meaning “Land of the Long White Cloud.” The Māori name given to New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, means “our container of treasured things and people that spring from Mother Earth here in New Zealand.” Although New Zealand already had a national museum with roots that stretch back to the colonial period, it was decided that the newly constructed Te Papa Tongarewa Museum would create a lasting bond of unity between the Tangata Whenua, the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand, and Tangata Tiriti, the non-indigenous New Zealand people. The entire museum is considered a “waharoa,” or a traditional entrance way, that introduces visitors to a New Zealand rich in cultural and natural heritage. Visitors who arrive at the museum will be greeted with the view of a Rongomaraeroa Te Marae, a traditional, cultural, and spiritual meeting place of the local Iwi and the Māori community, complete with intricately carved waharoa. Uniting Māori and Pakeha, or non-indigenous cultures, is a central exhibition hall. One of the six founding principles upon which Te Papa Tongarewa was built on was the acknowledgment of “Mana Taonga,” the cultural treasure of the indigenous people of New Zealand. Communicating “deep truths about our people,” Mana Taonga reflects Māori knowledge, language, and customs.

The Honorable Hereditary Chief Phil Lane Jr. is a member of the Ihanktonwan Dakota and Chickasaw Nations. He is formally recognized by elders from across North America as a hereditary chief, owing to his noble lineage of leadership and longtime service to Indigenous peoples and greater humanity. For his tireless contributions, Chief Lane has received many awards, such as the Windstar Award and the Swiss Foundation for Freedom and Human Rights’ International Award. Today, we are privileged to introduce The Honorable Chief Phil Lane Jr., who will share some of his personal experiences, which led him on the path of unbounded wisdom, beautifully linked with Native American prophecies about a new revival, giving hope not just to the Native American Nations, but also to the world as a whole. “The Four Worlds International Institute goes way, way, way back, deep in our prophecies. It really began when my life changed in 1967. When my heart was so full of anger and hatred about what had happened to our people here. All people, really. All members of our human family that had been needlessly hurt and killed − we can’t have that. And so, that led me really into a life of trying to kill that pain with alcohol and something like that. But I encountered a very sacred, very, very sacred prayer; and that was like fire started burning inside me. And I’m sure we all have that spiritual awakening, that time when we awaken, and understand and feel oneness.” “By 1982, in Turtle Island, which is now called Canada and United States, both culturally and physically, our indigenous people had fallen into a deep, deep, deep, deep pain; deep alcoholism. And so, we were really at a point of suffering. But we knew in our prophecies that there would be a huge turning point, but there were signs on the way.” “So, in 1982, we were approached by the new director of what they call the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program in Canada, NNADAP. And we wanted to bring – as never before − a council together, and to ask them the question: ‘How can we come out of this deep, deep, deep hole we’re in, of darkness?’” “The elders said this. They said: ‘The moral, the spiritual dimension of development is inescapable. You cannot build healthy communities, healthy nations, healthy families, healthy human beings, on lies and greed and selfishness. They have to be built in kindness, compassion, forgiveness, respect, justice. That’s the foundation.’”

Matera, a city in the province of Matera, is in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. This extraordinary place is known as the “Underground City.” In 2019, Matera was declared a European Capital of Culture. In our time together today, we take the opportunity to discover the city’s Sassi, the Rupestrian Churches, as well as the cisterns. Rulers from outside have come and gone, but Matera has remained due to its special geographic features and the endurance of its people. In the 7th and 8th centuries, the grottos of Matera were inhabited by Benedictine and Basilian monastic orders. Both orders were well known for their strict rules and humble way of life and by their ascetic and meditative practices. They created cave paintings that can be seen today. The famous Park of the Rupestrian Churches is one of their best legacies. Stretching across some 8,000 hectares, it includes many rupestrian, or rock-hewn, churches and monasteries dating back throughout the history of the Christian Church. Some are small, basic caves with a simple altar, while others are ornately decorated and may have frescos, while still others are complex cave networks with large chambers used by the Christian monks for meditation and prayer. Today, many old cisterns have been converted into houses, complete with all the modern facilities. Warm in winter and fresh in summer, the water collectors of yesterday are the comfortable houses today. Prior to the 1950s, there were 18,000 to 20,000 inhabitants. Matera currently has a population of over 60,000 people. As stated earlier, Matera has known all the ages of human civilization and, as such, it has developed its own cultural traditions. The people lived in tough conditions and built a city protected by its geography and architecture. They were and are a very hard-working people. The Sassi of Matera are a geographical space that has been made into history.

The name Bamiyan means “the place of shining light.” Embraced by the Hindu Kush Mountains, Bamiyan is situated on the flat, broad, fertile plains and flanked by high stone cliffs. The city was a busy layover point for merchants on their trips some 1,500 years ago, bringing together diverse cultures from Greece, Turkey, Persia, China, and India. These merchants also brought with them their Faith. Back in the first millennium, Buddhism had reached its peak, and many of the merchants were Buddhists. As early as the Kushan period in the first century, Buddhism became an important religion in this region and attracted many missionaries and pilgrims who traveled there to spread and revere the Worshipped Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings. The Bamiyan Valley became the westernmost point of Buddhism’s expansion. In the year 632, the venerated Buddhist Master Xuanzang from Tang Dynasty China visited Bamiyan Valley. According to Master Xuanzang, the Bamiyan Valley locals worshipped the Three Jewels or Triple Gem sincerely. Strong in their Faith, they took refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Sincerely practicing Buddhism was meritorious to Bamiyan Valley. The region nurtured religion and philosophy. It was also the source of numerous fantastic new artistic expressions, and many Buddha statues were carved into the sides of sandstone cliffs facing Bamiyan. Most prominent were two giant standing sculptures of Buddha that were made in the sixth century. The statues embodied the confluence of ancient cultural and religious styles of Indian, Persian, and Gandharan art. According to historic documentation, Bamiyan Valley housed a flourishing religious center where celebrations were held every year, attracting numerous pilgrims, and where offerings were made to the Buddha statues. It was perhaps the most famous cultural landmark in the region. For more than 1,500 years, the Buddha statues blessed the Bamiyan Valley and the people as they traversed the ups and downs of everyday living. Although the statues were ultimately lost, the spirit of the Buddhas has never diminished. After the loss of the statues, numerous international groups have become involved in efforts to preserve and restore this holy site. With thankfulness to all the governments, groups, and individuals working to protect this culturally-rich site, may the history of the Bamiyan Valley continue to inspire us to focus on our own Buddha Nature within.

Many unique artistic paintings and sculptures can be found in different parts of Pashupatinath Temple. Gilded images of magnificently crafted deities stand on both sides of each door. Every beam of the roof is intricately sculpted. “The roof of the Lord Pashupatinath Temple is supported by Tudal (wooden carved struts). These are artistic in nature. Some depict stories related to Mahabharata – the figures of five Pandavas – while others have figures of the characters of the Ramayana.” Inside the temple chamber is a unique one-meter-high linga, or shrine, with five faces pointing in different directions. The one facing east is called Tatpurusha; Vamadeva faces northward; Sadyojata faces west; and the face pointing towards the south is Aghora. The pinnacle is called Ishana and is shapeless. The shrine also symbolizes the five main elements in Hinduism: earth, air, light, water, and ether. Many wandering sadhus or ascetic yogis go to Pashupatinath Temple and the Pashupati Area. Often adorned with yellow paintings on their bodies, they aspire to acquire liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth through meditation. “Pashupati Area has been the place of meditation for many great sages, saints, Mahatmas, and yogi masters.” The Bagmati River next to Pashupatinath Temple is sacred to the thousands of pilgrims who pay respect at the temple. Every day, Hindu devotees jump into this holy river, chanting ancient Vedic mantras to cleanse their sins. Open-air cremation takes place on the riverbank every day. May the story and history of Lord Pashupatinath and the Pashupatinath Temple continue to inspire people around the world to tune in to their God Nature within.

Located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Deopatan, just 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from Kathmandu, is Pashupatinath Temple. Also known as “The Temple of Living Beings,” it is one of the most sacred Hindu temples of Nepal. The majestic temple is dedicated to a manifestation of Lord Shiva called Lord Pashupatinath, also known as “Lord of Animals.” Dating back to 400 BC, this Hindu temple is the oldest in Nepal. Hindus travel from afar to spend the final weeks of their lives here and have their bodies cremated on the banks of Bagmati River. Festivals have a meaningful role in Nepal’s rich cultural heritage. Throughout the year, thousands of people from all over the world unite for festivals at the Pashupatinath Temple. The most important one is the Maha Shivaratri, which literally means “Night of Lord Shiva.” It celebrates the night when Lord Shiva performed the Tandav, or the cosmic dance. All night, devotees chant “Om Namah Shivaya” and “Mahamritunjaya.” Due to the region’s significance, in 1986, His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev designated about 264 hectares of the land as the Pashupati Area. “After the announcement, Pashupati Area Development Trust was established for the development of the region. Pashupati Area Development Trust is taking the responsibility to guard, maintain, and extend the temples, monuments, and monasteries of that area. The Pashupati Area is a living holy place. It is very difficult to find a living holy place in the world.” “Pashupati Development Trust is working to develop the Pashupati Area as one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus living all around the world.”

Situated inland between China and India, Nepal is home to eight of the world’s highest mountains, including Mount Everest, known as Sagarmatha to the locals. The Himalayan views, charming hillside villages, golden temples, and jungle wildlife combine to make a popular tourist attraction, and the many visitors boost this lovely country’s economy. “Bagmati River is the source of the civilization of Kathmandu Valley. Since ancient times, Lord Pashupatinath Temple is situated near Mrigasthali Forest, on the bank of Bagmati River.” “The importance of Lord Pashupatinath is immense, covering many centuries, and the prayers of the Lord Pashupatinath can be found in the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, and Samaveda.” “There is a mention of the mantra, ‘Pashupati is the protector of all beings (in Sanskrit).’ People consider Lord Pashupatinath as the Savior, someone who uplifts and blesses all the beings. That is why the word ‘Pashupati’ has a greater significance. Because if there is someone who has the Supreme Power to remove darkness and ignorance from human beings, then that is Lord Pashupatinath.” “When Indra caught Lord Shiva (the deer) by his horn, it broke into three pieces. Out of those three pieces, one piece went to Heaven, another went to underworld, and the last piece remained in the mortal world, and this piece of Shiva which remained in the mortal world is Pashupatinath.” In 1979, Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal was registered as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Welcome to “Ephesus: A Glimpse Into Millennia Past.” Every year on this day, August 15th, pilgrims travel to the historical city of Ephesus and visit the sacred House of Virgin Mary in observance of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Situated in modern-day Turkey, Ephesus has a past that goes back thousands of years, and has played an important role not only in Christianity, but in ancient Greek and Roman history as well. For its historical, cultural, religious, and archeological significance, Ephesus was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015. Remnants from the days of old show that Ephesus was not only a cosmopolitan center of commerce, but also a religious hub for Christianity and a leading political and intellectual center. Ephesus played a major role in spreading Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. The New Testament mentions the ancient city of Ephesus several times. Eventually, Christianity became the city’s official religion. Christians began visiting the classical city in the 1st century BC, including Saint Paul and Saint John, the venerated Apostles of Lord Jesus Christ, as well as the Blessed Virgin Mary. Saint John spent His longest missionary service in Ephesus. The House of the Virgin Mary, the holy place where the Mother of Lord Jesus Christ spent the final years of Her life, is also located nearby in Ephesus on Mount Koressos. In addition to its religious importance, Ephesus was a major center for culture and intellect. It was home to the second school of philosophy in the Aegean. Transporting us back in time, Ephesus is an outstanding testament to an ancient city that flourished as a center for cultural tradition as well as commerce, religion, intellect, and philosophy. Even today, Ephesus continues to impact the world through its history and its monumental archeological discoveries.

Four thousand years ago, a small port town was founded on the Euphrates River. The humble Babylon grew into one of the largest cities of its time, eventually serving as the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, a beautiful, mighty center of art, architecture, and science. Home to the Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as an important reflection of ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, Babylon was designated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. The Babylonian cities were centers of great learning and produced writings on medicine, astrology, and mathematics. The ancient Babylonians had a mathematical system based on 60. Our current time division of the minute and the hour into sixtieth parts is an inheritance of this principle. Zodiac signs and zodiac figures were also passed down from ancient Babylon. The Lion of Babylon, a 2,600-year-old black basalt statue of a lion, remains in place. The statue symbolizes the strength of Babylonians and appears as an official emblem and in seals for both government agencies and private companies. Certainly, the extensive history and legends of magnificent, creative Babylon continue to inspire artistic, popular, and philosophical culture around the globe.

Peru’s distinct heritage has shaped a country where the people’s well-being and harmony with nature is treasured. Around 600 years ago, the Incas were the largest civilization in South America. In 1983, Machu Picchu was declared a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site and in 2007, it was voted one of the New7Wonders of the World by Swiss corporation New7Wonders Foundation. In the midst of a tropical jungle, the Incan city is surrounded by terraces and temples constructed with huge blocks of stone joined without any mortar. The Incas had special reverence for rock and stone, which were thought of as a living entity. At the highest point of the sacred complex sits the Intihuatana Stone. Machu Picchu was an important and sacred place to the Inca Empire, called Tahuantinsuyo by the Incas. The Incas worshipped deities from the environment, such as the Moon, the Sun, and thunder, which reflect the respect that the Incas had for nature. Natural formations such as rivers, mountains, and lakes are also considered sacred by the Incas.

Situated in the middle of the bay less than half a mile off the northwestern coast of Normandy, Mont-Saint-Michel seemingly floats like a mirage on the horizon. Each year, more than three million pilgrims and tourists flock to this World Heritage Site, recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, for its natural beauty, architectural splendor, and cultural significance. The abbey that has given this island its fame is said to have originated in the 7th century. Over the years, the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey became a place of prayer, worship, and pilgrimage. It has undergone many transformations to become the masterpiece of medieval and gothic architecture that we see today. Apart from its historic structures, one of my favorite things about Mont-Saint-Michel is its gorgeous Norman Landscapes and wondrous bay! Like a fortress that rises out of granite rock in the midst of the Norman waters, Mont-Saint-Michel is Certainly one of France’s most distinguished landmarks, a spectacular emblem of faith, and a wondrous example of God’s miraculous creations.

Rich in culture and tradition, Jongmyo Jerye is the only royal Confucian ritual in the world inherited and performed with such authenticity. The Jongmyo Jerye is called a composite art, combining ritual, music, song, and dance. Its ritual music has a special meaning for Koreans. The music was composed by His Majesty King Sejong the Great, who is still highly respected as the greatest king in Korean history. Korean art director Kye Seong-won explains the special reason why Sejong the Great created these songs. “Jongmyo Jeryeak, the ritual music, was made by Sejong the Great in the 15th century. The music that was previously used as court music in the royal palace was from China. As we all know, Sejong the Great made our own letters because our language is different from China. Just like that, Sejong the Great created so many pieces of music himself, and it was called ‘new music’ at the time.” The ritual music for Jongmyo Jerye, made with traditional Korean instruments and melodies, originated from King Sejong’s filial piety to continue playing the music that the deceased kings normally enjoy listening to even after their deaths. In Confucianism, filial piety is regarded as a great virtue, and Jongmyo Jerye is also based on filial piety to the deceased king. Therefore, the music made by Sejong the Great suits the true meaning of Jongmyo Jerye.

In the midst of downtown Seoul stands a woodland, untouched by the busy city, as tranquil as if time has stood still. Here rests Jongmyo Shrine, the most sacred place of worship in Korea for the past 600 years. Jongmyo is a temple that enshrines the spirits of the 25 kings that ruled Korea during the Joseon dynasty. In December 1995, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural organization（UNESCO）designated Jongmyo as a World Heritage Site, recognizing it as “the oldest and most authentic of the Confucian royal ancestral shrines, with a unique spatial layout that has been preserved in its entirely.” In other words, it was the temple of Joseon Dynasty, the most sacred space. The kings of the Joseon Dynasty prayed for national peace and the well-being of the people here. The beauty of Jongmyo’s structures lies in the extreme simplicity and moderation in their design. Even globally, it is a very unique architecture. There is a saying, “Noble Simplicity and Calm Grandeur.”

Considered an extremely impressive, if not perplexing, feat of ancient engineering, with construction comparable to the pyramids of Egypt or Stonehenge in England. Included in the listing are the surrounding regal gardens at the base of the monolith, which have a complex system of aqua engineering complete with dams, locks, canals, bridges, and fountains. In Sigiriya, the Mirror Wall creates shimmering golden reflections, one example of the creative ingenuity of the fifth century design and architecture. "Now, the Mirror Wall is considered as one of the most significant features in Sigiriya. One of the unique features of Sigiriya is its technology. The greatness of it is that the earlier designer used water, flora, and the rock all together to create these amazing water gardens in Sigiriya in such a pleasant manner."

Sigirya was named as a World Heritage Site in 1982. The reason behind this was that Sigiriya is considered as a significant site, not only in Sri Lanka, but in the whole world. Sigiriya is so important to Sri Lankans because of its murals. These murals can be mentioned as the earliest evidence of Sinhalese painting methods in Sri Lanka. The fortress of Sigiriya has gardens that are amongst the oldest landscaped gardens found in the world. Actually, Sigiriya is a fortress and a magnificent garden as well. It is also a resplendent city, a splendid administrative center, and also, it is a serene monastery. It consists of all these features.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who selflessly came to this world over 500 years ago as a Messenger of God. His teachings emphasize that spiritual freedom is found in the discovery of the soul through contacting the voice of truth within, and not through pilgrimage. Still, the site of Gurdwara Janam Asthan holds a significant meaning in the hearts of the Sikh devotees. The birthplaces evoke a nearness to the beloved Teacher and the universal principles taught, such as non-discrimination and goodwill to all.

Since around AD 600, the pre-Hispanic Mayan farming village of Joya de Cerén slept undisturbed beneath thick layers of ash four to eight meters deep. offering us a unique window into the past. With much of the Joya de Cerén yet to be excavated, each new discovery provides evidence of the ancient Mayans’ wealth of wisdom. The investigations tell us a story of a very well organized and spiritual far

When I look at my cathedral, I think how much faith was needed so that those people could work, break stones, sculpt, to make such a masterpiece. It represents faith. That’s why I say: The cathedral is a place of prayer. All these stones breathe the faith of those who worked on them. It’s a bit like in icon theology. People who made icons, they prayed, the icon is consecrated. When you pray before the icon, the divine energy reflects upon you. It’s the same in the cathedral. The divine energy spouts out on all the people who are here and who are truly unified, appeased.

We had the honor of learning more about the Note-Dame de Paris from the Reverend Monsignor Patrick Chauvet. Monsignor Chauvet recalls some memorable moments from the long life of Notre-Dame de Paris. The vows of Louis XIII are an important moment that still resonates today, because every August 15th, we reiterate Louis XIII’s vows. Another memorable time at Notre-Dame of Paris was when Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor of the French and King of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy. That’s where Napoleon was crowned. When peace was achieved after a period of conflict, Notre-Dame de Paris was the first place that the Parisians people went to in grateful celebration.

Situated at the center of Paris, France, Notre-Dame de Paris is celebrated as one of the finest exemplars of French Gothic architecture. The cathedral's name means “Our Lady of Paris” and was constructed in dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary. When was the cathedral built? The first stone was laid in 1163! And they say it took 107 years to build the cathedral. They started with the choir, which is the most important place. Then gradually, they made the nave all the way to the facade.