Hanol-gyo

Hanol-gyo (, also referred to as Hanol gyo or Hanolgyo) is a Korean spiritual foundation established by Shin Jeong Yil who was also a presidential Candidate of the Unified Korea Party and the Chairman of the Hanol Group. The innovative nature of Hanol-gyo can be particularly characterized as the initiator of Hanol Spiritual and Cultural Movement of Art.
History and Its principle.
In the historical record of Hanol-gyo(한얼교), Shin Jeong Yil (신정일) the Founder, achieved "spiritual awakening" in 1965, and spread the teachings on Hanol. "The conversion of 800,000 people to the Hanol Spiritual movement laid a foundation for the creation of the Hanol-gyo, which was approved by the Korean Government as a legitimate religion in 1967." The Governmental recognition led to the rapid development of its branches throughout the country.
Hanol spiritual foundation was established based on "Hanol principle" which is the teachings on enlightenment and awakening; it pursues self-liberation of consciousness rather than the traditional ways of religious worship. Its founding dictum is to "unite and benefit all in existence-홍익인간 Hongick Ingan”.
According to its doctrine of Spiritual Acceptance, Hanol-gyo is open to multi-culture as it allows its participants from various cultures to practice their religions as well. It regards all enlightened beings (Dangun, Buddha, Jesus, Lao-tzu, Confucius, etc.) as teachers of enlightenment and awakening, and other religions as the pursuit of True Spirituality in different ways. Its main aim is to overcome all forms of separations (e.g. Religion, Race, Ideology and so on).
The founder's Doctrine ""Na-Ol" is "Han-Ol"" means “My spiritual essence is the spiritual essence of "Han"”. It can be interpreted as “My essence is one with the Essence of Totality” or ”Everyone shares the same existential nature”.
"Hanol-gyo helps to find one's true nature ("Na-Ol") which is one with the nature of all ("Han-Ol"), and fulfill one's true nature by practicing love, wisdom and devotion — the will of Absolute Benevolence."
In Hanol-gyo, there are no figures to worship: instead there is an "Empty Chair" that symbolizes the invisible and silent nature of one's true essence beyond one's physical form of self and mental form of ego — the "Na-Ol". The invisibility and stillness also reflect the essence of "Hanol", which is ultimately one with "Na-Ol".
In 1999, Shin Jeong Yil passed away and unprecedented number of holy crystals of "sari" (sacred matter found among the cremated remains of enlightened monks and Buddha) were recovered. According to the news record, "The "sari" was opened to the public and well known celebrities, including the spiritual leaders of other religions, paid a visit to witness the "sari": Hanol-gyo has been exhibiting the sari at the Commemoration Ceremonies of the Founder."
Before he was deceased, Shin published the Hanol Scriptures, the compilation of 36 books containing the profound teachings of the 'Hanol principles' and its applications on philosophy, epistemology, metaphysics, science, economics, politics, society, nature, culture and religion.
After he was deceased, the independent committee called the Board of Hanol-gyo was organized to assume collective leadership. The Board refrained from the traditional concepts of ritual and transformed Hanol-gyo into a more liberal, flexible organization. Also, the Board officially made religious conversion unnecessary and constitutionalized the spiritual acceptance of multi-culture and religious multiplicity so that the adherents of Hanol-gyo could participate in other religions as they wish.
Hanolgyo introduced the ”Art of Enlightenment and Awakening” which is the expression of the Hanol spirit in the form of art and architecture. It was integration of art and spirituality. The “Art of Enlightenment” replaced the symbolic function of the regional chapels of Hanol, and permitted that traditional ceremonies and the formality of rituals to be substituted by simple contemplation on the “Enlightenment Art” or meditation on self-awareness.
Hanol Spiritual and Cultural Movement of Art.
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary general assembly, the entire foundation members of Hanol-gyo officially agreed upon endorsing religious innovation called "Hanol Spiritual & Cultural Movement of Art".
"The Hanol Spiritual and Cultural Movement of Art" is a new way of experiencing religious philosophy without religious obligation by using On-line participation as a main way of religious practice instead of the traditional ways.
It presented a new possibility for the development of religious multi-culture and structural evolution of religion by expanding the religious boundaries in a wider perspective.