Chapter 24: A New Generation
A year later, Minjun got married. His bride was Suyeon, a marine archaeologist at the Atlantis Research Institute. She was a cheerful and intelligent woman.
The wedding was a simple affair. But the attendees were special. Leaders from Korea, China, and Japan, religious leaders including Venerable Pomnyun, and peace activists from around the world.
"This marriage today is not simply the union of two people," Venerable Pomnyun said in his wedding address. "It is the reconciliation of the past and the present, the reconciliation of Atlantis and the Hwan-guk, and the healing of all humanity."
Minjun and Suyeon chose the Atlantic Ocean for their honeymoon. They visited the Azores and sailed over the site of Atlantis.
"Our past lives sleep beneath here." Sooyeon looked out at the sea and said,
"I'm sorry," Minjun said.
"No." Sooyeon took Minjun's hand. "I forgive you now. And we'll start anew."
That night, they gazed at the stars on the deck of the ship. Then Sooyeon said,
"If we have a child, what should we name them?"
"Have you thought about it?" Minjun asked.
"How about Hwahae (和解) if it's a girl, or Pyeonghwa (平和) if it's a boy?"
Minjun smiled. "Okay. Let's do that."
Nine months later, twins were born, a girl and a boy. As promised, they named them Hwahae and Pyeonghwa.
As the children grew, Minjun and Sooyeon taught them history: the story of Atlantis, the story of the Hwan-guk, and the story of forgiveness and reconciliation.
"Was Dad a bad person?" Hwahae asked when he was five.
"Dad... made mistakes. But he acknowledged them and tried to correct them." "So, are you a good person now?" Peace asked.
"Dad is someone who keeps trying. He's trying to be a good person."
The children grew up and attended an international school run by the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Organization. The school was attended by children from Korea, China, Japan, North Korea, and other countries around the world.
"We are all friends!" Hwahae shouted, holding hands with his Chinese and Japanese friends.
"We will be friends forever?" the Japanese friend asked.
"Yes! Forever!" Peace replied.
Minjun shed tears at the sight. This was the future he had dreamed of. A new generation that accepted each other as friends, free from past grudges.
Chapter 25: A Northeast Asia United Government
The year the children turned ten, a historic event occurred in Northeast Asia. The Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Organization was upgraded to the "Northeast Asia United Government."
It was the lifelong dream of Venerable Pomnyun: Korea, China, Japan, North Korea, Mongolia, and the Russian Far East forming a single political community.
Of course, each nation's sovereignty would be maintained. However, key policies were decided in a joint parliament.
The inauguration ceremony was held in Pyongyang. It was the first time in 70 years that the leaders of North and South Korea, China, and Japan had gathered together in Pyongyang.
"Today, we are writing a new history," declared the chairman of the first coalition government. Surprisingly, the chairman was one of Minjun's disciples, a young diplomat to whom Minjun had taught meditation and peace movements.
"We are not enemies of the past, but family of the future. We will prosper together, maintain peace together, and set an example for the world together."
The first project of the coalition government was the "Northeast Asia High-Speed Railway Network." This massive railway network would connect Busan, Seoul, Pyongyang, Beijing, Tokyo, Vladivostok, and Ulaanbaatar.
The second project was the creation of the "Northeast Asia Joint Textbook." Historians from Korea, China, and Japan came together to create an unbiased history textbook.
The textbook also included the story of Hwan-guk and Atlantis. While it was marked as "legendary," the mere inclusion in an official textbook was significant.
Venerable Pomnyun attended the launch ceremony and delivered a congratulatory address.
"I have waited my entire life to see this moment," the monk's voice trembled. "Seeing the fulfillment of a dream I have had since I was young, I feel I can now go with peace of mind."
The crowd murmured at his words, for the word "can go" implied death. The monk continued, "But don't worry. This peace is just the beginning. You will all protect this peace."
"In particular..." The monk looked at Minjun. "This bold dream, begun by Bodhisattva Minjun, has now become everyone's dream. Please continue it."
Minjun bowed deeply to the monk.
Part 6: Succession
Chapter 26: The Nirvana of Venerable Beopryun
Six months later, Venerable Beopryun passed away. He was 78 years old.
The monk passed away quietly and peacefully. He maintained a meditative posture until his last moments, a smile on his face.
"I have seen what I have dreamed, so now I can go." These were the monk's last words.
The funeral was a state funeral. The heads of all the Northeast Asian governments paid their respects, and millions of people around the world expressed their condolences.
Minjun read the eulogy at the funeral. "Monk, the seed you sowed has now grown into a large tree. Beneath that tree, all the people of Northeast Asia enjoy peace."
"You always spoke of 'bold dreams.' Even if it seems impossible, if you dream, it can come true. Monk, your dream has come true."
"Rest in peace now. We will protect this peace."
Minjun's voice trembled, and tears wouldn't stop flowing.
After the funeral, Minjun was left alone at the temple. He sat in the monk's room and meditated.
Then he heard the monk's voice. No, he felt it more than heard it.
"Minjun, don't cry. I have not left. I have become the wind, and I will always be by your side."
Minjun opened his eyes. A warm breeze blew through the room.
"Monk..."
"Someday, you too will become the wind. And together, we will bless the world."
The wind embraced Minjun. It was like an embrace.
"Thank you, Minjun. For making my dream come true."
The wind disappeared. But Minjun knew. The monk had never truly left. He was now the wind, present everywhere.
Chapter 27: Atlantis Memorial Hall
On the first anniversary of the monk's death, the "World Atlantis Memorial Hall" opened. It was built simultaneously in Seoul, Beijing, and Tokyo.
The memorial hall was more than just a museum. It was a symbol of peace and reconciliation.
The first floor displayed the history of Atlantis: excavated artifacts, restored architectural models, and explanations of their science and technology.
The second floor displayed the history of Atlantis's destruction: the war with Hwanguk, the story of Minjun's past life, and the karma that followed.
The third floor displayed stories of reconciliation and healing: Minjun's confession, apologies from Japan and China, the birth of the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Organization, and the establishment of a united government.
The fourth floor housed a future exhibition hall. It presented the direction humanity should take, a vision for a peaceful world.
Minjun gave a speech at the opening ceremony. "Atlantis may have fallen, but their spirit lives on. They teach us: the consequences of arrogance and greed, and the healing that forgiveness and reconciliation bring."
"This memorial is a message to remember the past while moving forward. We must not forget history, but we must not be trapped by it either."
Over ten million people visited the memorial in its first month of opening. Many were moved to tears.
"I saw this city in my dreams, too," one visitor muttered.
"We all came from somewhere, and we will all go somewhere," another said.
The memorial became a world-renowned landmark. And a center for peace education.
Chapter 28: Final Meditation
Time passed, and Minjun turned seventy. Hwahae and Pyeonghwa had grown up and were now following their own paths. Hwahae became a diplomat and worked for world peace, while Pyeonghwa became a historian and studied ancient history.
Suyeon remained beautiful, and their love deepened. One autumn day, Minjun visited Baekdu Mountain, the place where Geobalhwan first descended. He sat down next to Cheonji and began to meditate.
In his meditation, God appeared.
"Minjun, you did well."
"Thank you, God."
"Your karma has now been almost completely cleared. The souls of Atlantis you massacred in your past life have all been forgiven, and the peace you initiated has spread throughout the world."
Adi Buddha also appeared.
"Minjun, you have completely mastered the art of becoming the wind. Now you are free."
Jesus also appeared.
"Minjun, you have carried your cross to the end. You may now lay it down."
The three of them blessed Minjun together.
"You have now attained complete freedom. If you wish, you may never be born again. You deserve liberation."
Minjun thought for a moment.
"But... there are still many suffering people in this world. If I can help, I will gladly return." The three of them smiled.
"That's the heart of a Bodhisattva. Good. Do as you wish. But you can rest for a while."
The vision vanished. Minjun opened his eyes. The waters of heaven and earth were calm, and the sky was clear.