THE 12TH PORTUGUESE SPIRITUAL TRAINING SEMINAR AT THE SEICHO-NO-IE UJI TEMPLE
A Group from Brazil Participates for the First Time
Laughing Practice in the first day
at the Uji Temple
The 12th Seicho-No-Ie Portuguese Spiritual Training Seminar sponsored by the Seicho-No-Ie Headquarters was held at the Seicho-No-Ie Uji Temple in Uji City, Kyoto from October 26 to 28. A record number of 570 people participated. Four hundred and five people came mainly from the Kanto, Tokai and Koshinetsu Districts (178 of whom were newcomers.) A group of 165 people came from Brazil, the first such group to participate in this Seminar.
In promoting the Seminar, the Central and South American Section of the Headquarters’ International Department asked the leaders of the Portuguese Readers Meetings (51 sites nation-wide) to promote it to the attendees at their gatherings. They also sent flyers and invitation letters to about 500 participants of the past Seminars. In addition, an advertisement was placed in the Portuguese weekly newspaper published in Japan, International Press.
The lecturers were, among others, Rev. Tatsufumi Yukishima (Ordained Minister, Chief of International Department), Rev. Kamino Kusumoto (Ordained Minister, Managing Director of Uji Temple), and Rev. Harumi Kinoshita (Assistant Minister, Chief of Central and South American Section). The texts used were Seimei no Jisso (Truth of Life), Volumes 1 and 7 and Shinpan Shinri (Truth, New Edition), Volume 4 (these are by Dr. Masaharu Taniguchi); Ashimoto kara Heiwa o (From Here to Peace) by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi; and other publications.
The Seminar was also guided by Rev. Yoshihico Iwassacca (Ordained Minister, Chairman of Brazil Missionary Headquarters), who led the group from Brazil; and Rev. Olimpio Kitahara (Ordained Minister, Chief of Lecturers Department, Brazil Missionary Headquarters).
Comments from participants living in Japan included: “I am a Catholic. I think that the teaching, ‘sin is nonexistent” is truly wonderful’”; and “I was pleased to study the Truth with many Brazilians living in Japan. I felt encouraged.” Comments of participants from Brazil included: “I was deeply moved to visit Japan, where Seicho-No-Ie was founded. I was able to gain clear awareness that the Reality of the God-created world is the only true existence”; and “The atmosphere at the Seminar was wonderful. I was happy to learn about Ancestor Memorial Service.”
Remarks by Rev. Tatsufumi Yukishima, Chief of International Department
“There were many people who anxiously waited for the Portuguese Spiritual Training Seminar at the Uji Temple. There were not only people living in Japan, but a group who traveled from Brazil to participate. We had a record number of participants and the atmosphere was very good. It turned out to be an event a record participation, which will be remembered for years to come. It was a precious opportunity to re-affirm the prayer which Dr. Masaharu Taniguchi had for the Hozo Shirines both in Japan and Brazil, and resolve that the followers in both countries join hands in promoting the Humanity Enlightenment Movement and International Peace by Faith Movement.”