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Seicho-No-Ie News

London Seminar held on the theme, "Joy, Love, and Prosperity are the Key to Happiness"

First -Timers Account for Thirty Percent of Attendees


The Fourth Seicho-No-Ie London Seminar (Portuguese) was held from August 22 to 24 at the Sunbury Court International Conference Centre in the outskirts of London, where many Brazilian leaders reside. The theme of the Seminar was “Joy, Love and Prosperity Are the Key to Happiness.” The number of attendees was 62, of whom 30 percent (17 people) were first-timers.

Rev. Yuji Otsuka (Ordained Minister stationed in Europe) attributed the reason for the increase in first-time attendance to distribution of flyers and promotion at the Readers’ Meetings held weekly in London, as well as advertisement on the website.

The lecturers were Rev. Fernando Antonio Mendes Marquez (Assistant Minister, Deputy Chief of the Lecturers Section, Brazil Missionary Headquarters), Rev. Yuji Otsuka and two Regional Lecturers. The texts used included Seimei no Jisso (Truth of Life), Volumes 29 and 33 by Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi, and Shinko ni yoru Heiwa no Michi (Realizing Peace by Faith) by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi. Rev. Marcos lectured in Portuguese and Rev. Otsuka spoke in English. There were Portuguese and English simultaneous interpretations.

Rev. Marquez’s lectures included “A Merry Mind Brings About Prosperity” and “Let’s Sow a Seed of Joy and Become Happy.” He introduced the sundial way of life to realize a happy life, while introducing an actual case of how a family problem was resolved through reconciliation between parents and child. He also led the Mind Purification Ceremony, Ancestor Memorial Service and Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer.

Rev. Otsuka lectured on “The Environment and International Peace by Faith Movement,” using PC images on the screen. He talked about environmental protection, touching upon the ISO14001 acquisition at all the Seicho-No-Ie offices in Japan, and explained the relationship between Seicho-No-Ie and Islam from the viewpoint that all religions emanate from one universal God.

In addition, the Seminar program included a presentation of “Propagator Certificates” to nine Brazilians, whom Rev. Otsuka appointed as Propagators with the Headquarters’ approval.

Rev. Otsuka commented, “Thanks to the excellent guidance of Rev. Marquez and the hard work of local Lecturers, the Seminar turned out to be a wonderful event and attendees were happy. At the leaders’ meeting held after the Seminar, they discussed the possibility of holding a one-day truth realization seminar in English. I felt confident about the further growth of the Seicho-No-Ie Movement in England.”