BRAZIL YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT ASSOCIATION LEADERS’ WORKSHOP ATTRACTS 817 PEOPLE
Study of Three Important Religious Practices
and the Teachings at Leaders' Workshop
at the South American Spiritual Training Center
Study of the New Year's Movement Policy and Practice of Three Important Religious Practices
In Brazil, the five-day (four overnights) Youth and Young Adult Association Leaders’ Workshop was held at four spiritual training centers from January 23 to February 27. The number of attendees totaled 817. They studied the new year’s Movement Policy and the practice of the three important religious practices.
The number of attendees was 507 for the South American Spiritual Training Center, 112 for the Santa Tecla Spiritual Training Center, 101 for the Santa Fe Spiritual Training Center, and 97 for the Curituba Spiritual Training Center.
The Workshop was guided by Rev. Yoshio Mukai (Ordained Minister, Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Latin America), Rev. Marie Murakami (Ordained Minister, Chairperson of Seicho-No-Ie Brazil Missionary Headquarters), Rev. Carlos Alberto da Silva (Assistant Minister, Vice Chief of Youth and Young Adult Association) as well as four Ordained/Assistant Ministers and 10 Regional Lecturers. At each site, there were lectures such as “Seicho-No-Ie and Environment,” “On Islam?” and “What Does the Teaching, All Religions Emanate from One Universal God, Mean?” The texts used were Seimei no Jisso (Truth of Life), Volumes 7 and 36 by Dr. Masaharu Taniguchi, and Shinko ni yoru Heiwa no Michi (Realizing Peace by Faith) by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi.
According to Rev. Carlos Alberto da Silva, who became the Chief of the Brazil Youth and Young Adult Association as of March 1, “The Seminar aimed at nurturing the attendees’ awareness as leaders, offering an explanation of the new year’s Movement Policy and practice of the three important religious practices. We received positive comments. The Seminar was very meaningful.” At each Workshop site, a ceremony was held to express appreciation to Rev. Enio Masaki Hara, the former Chief of the Youth and Young Adult Association, for his 12 years of service as Chief of the Association.
A group discussion session was held at each site on the topics of “Enlightening Thought Class,” “Use of the Internet,” “Development of Leaders,” and “Sunday Readers’ Meetings.” The attendees separated by topic and exchanged many ideas and opinions.
The Workshop program also included Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer, an explanation and practice of Mind Purification Ceremony, and devotional labor.
A female attendee commented, “At this Workshop, we were given the courage to change our fate, whatever it may be, to one which is filled with light, overcome all kinds of limitations, and advance without losing out to any circumstances.”
Remarks by Rev. Yoshio Mukai,
Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Latin America
“I feel reassured by the young attendees at the Workshop, as they will shoulder the activities of the Youth and Young Adult Association in the future. On the last two days of the Workshop the attendees separated into groups by different topics and were given thorough guidance and explanation. It helped make clear the areas of activities to be carried out by each Missionary Branch and enhance their enthusiasm for the Movement. Since Seicho-No-Ie’s future depends on the young, I give them my full support.”