Shin Jeong Yil (Shin Jeongyil, , 1938–1999) was the founder of Hanol-gyo (Korean spiritual foundation), a politician (the founder of Unified Korea party) and an entrepreneur(the founder of Hanon Group).
Hanol-gyo
Hanol-gyo 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.
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 religion as well. It regards all enlightened beings (Dangun, Buddha, Jesus, Lao-tzu, Confucius, etc.) as teachers of enlightenment and awakening, and various religions as the pursuit of True Spirituality in different ways. Its aim is to overcome all forms of separations (e.g., religion, race, ideology and so on).
The Founder's Doctrine is "Naol is Hanol", which means “My true spiritual nature is one with the spiritual nature of All.”
Other activities
As a politician, Shin formed the Unified Korea Political Party and ran for the South Korean presidency twice, in the 13th election in 1987 and 15th election in 1997.
As the founder and chairman of the Hanon Group, Shin acquired the right to develop one of the largest crude oil mines in Iraq. He protested against the war in Iraq and supplied medicine for the children suffering from the war. As recognition of his humanitarian and diplomatic efforts, he was appointed to the Honorary Consul by both the Iraqi and South Korean governments.
Later years
Shin passed away in 1999. According to the press, "unprecedented number of sari (sacred crystals found among the cremated remains of enlightened monks and Buddha) were found and witnessed by many people including clerics and monks of other religions. Hanol-gyo has been exhibiting the sari at the Commemoration Ceremonies of the Founder."
Timeline
Source: 1965 Established the Foundation of Hanol 1967 Established the Jeong-Yil Association Inc. 1971 Established <Junghwhasa> publications 1973 President of the National Association of Dangun, the Progenitor of Korea 1978 Founder of the Central Association of Hanol-gyo 1979 Premier Representative of Hanol-gyo Inc. 1980 Head of the Research Institute of Hanol Philosophy 1980 Public Proclamation of 'The Declaration of Hanol' 1981 Chairman of the National Committee of the Spiritual Enhancement Organization 1981 President of the Korean Club of the International Kendo Federation 1984 Honorary Chairman of the Labor and Agrarian Political Party 1985 Standing member of the Advisory Council for the Democratic and Peaceful Unification Policy 1987 Member of the founding committee of the Unified Korea Political Party/ Advisor to the Research Institute of the Unified Korea Party 1987 Unified Korea Party 13th Korean Presidential Candidate 1989 Chairman of the Board, Institute of Korean Diplomacy and Defense 1989 President of the Association of Korean Technology and Development 1991 Presenter of the “Political Theory on the Peaceful Unification of Korea" at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard Institute of Politics 1992 Chairman of the Hanon Group 1996 Honorary Consul of Iraq in South Korea 1997 Harris Manchester College Foundation Fellow, Oxford University 1997 Unified Korea Party candidate in the 15th South Korean presidential election 1998 The fifth Chairman of the Korea Wushu Federation [Former] Member of the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC)