LEADERS’ WORKSHOP AND PUBLIC LECTURE MEETING HELD IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA UNDER THE THEME, “WORLD PEACE AND ISLAM”
In southern California, a Leaders’ Workshop (Japanese and English) was held on September 22 at the United States Missionary Headquarters in Gardena. On September 23 a public lecture meeting was held at the Japan America Theatre. The number of attendees was 43 at the Workshop and 372 at the lecture meeting, for a total of 415.
Public Lecture Meeting held under the theme,
"Key to Happiness, Good Health,Prosperity"
The Leaders’ Workshop was held under the theme, “World Peace and Islam,” based on the content of August’s Seicho-No-Ie Special Conference for World Peace guided by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, Vice President of Seicho-No-Ie, which was held in New York. The lecturers were Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara (Ordained Minister, Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie United States Missionary Headquarters), Rev. Masayo Tsuruta (Ordained Minister, Chief of Southern California Missionary Area), and Rev. Tomio Otsuka (Ordained Minister, Seicho-No-Ie United States Missionary Headqurters).
Rev. Teshigawara gave a lecture entitled “World Peace and Our Mission.” She talked about similarities between Seicho-No-Ie, which expounds that all religions emanate from one universal God, and the teaching of Islam, a subject of growing international interest. She also stressed the importance of practicing the three important religious practices and promoting the International Peace by Faith Movement while respecting the tradition and characteristics of each country.
Rev. Tsuruta’s lecture was entitled “Islam and the Seicho-No-Ie Teaching, ‘All Religions Emanate from One Universal God.’” He explained the meaning of Islam, the relationship between Allah and man, and actual practices in a life of Islamic faith. Rev. Otsuka gave a lecture entitled “Islam in the United States” and explained Muslims’ diversity as well as the problem of prejudice which Muslims face in the U.S.A. after the 9/11 attacks.
The public lecture meeting, which was tailored mostly for newcomers, was held under the theme, “Key to Happiness, Good Health and Prosperity.” The number of attendees was 372, including 52 newcomers (14%). Rev. Teshigawara explained Seicho-No-Ie’s teachings: only God-created perfect world exists; all phenomena are manifestation of only mind; and all religions emanate from one universal God. Introducing actual testimonies and examples, Rev. Teshigawara said that gratitude in daily life brings happiness, good health and prosperity. Rev. Tsuruta lectured on man’s infinite potential and the power of the mind, referring to actual examples.
Comments from the attendees included: “I knew that it was important to be kind to others. What I learned this time was that I should not forget to be kind to myself.”
Remarks by Masayo Tsuruta,
Chief of the Southern California Missionary Area
“The fact that many newcomers attended the lecture meeting was the fruit of the members’ enthusiasm to propagate the key to true happiness. I would like to continue doing deeds of love filled with spiritual joy.”