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Seicho-No-Ie News

First Spanish-Language Spiritual Training Seminar held in Brazil


A Total of 271 People from Latin American Countries Participate

The First Spanish-Language Spiritual Training Seminar was held from September 15 to 19 at the Seicho-No-Ie South American Spiritual Training Center in Ibiuna, Sao Paulo. Two hundred and seventy-one people from 15 countries participated. This was the first time that this Seminar had been held at the South American Spiritual Training Center.

Held under the theme, “The Flame Expands Beyond National Boundaries,” the Seminar was guided by Rev. Yoshio Mukai (Ordained Minister, Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Latin America) and Rev. Marie Murakami (Ordained Minister, Vice Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Latin America, Chairman of Brazil Missionary Headquarters), as well as six Ordained/Assistant Ministers and two Regional Lecturers. In addition, Rev. Tatsufumi Yukishima (Ordained Minister, Chief of International Department) guided the Seminar as a guest lecturer.

Rev. Mukai lectured in Spanish on “Environment and Peace.” Rev. Murakami also spoke in Spanish and lectured on “Ancestor Memorial Service” and gave the “Closing Lecture.” Rev. Yukishima gave a lecture on “Seicho-No-Ie Is Wonderful” with Spanish interpretation.

The Brazil Missionary Headquarters attributed the reason for the large number of participants from Latin American countries to printing and distributing of 5,000 promotional flyers in 11 countries with DVD’s containing Spanish messages of Reverends Mukai and Murakami, as well as testimonials

In the past, this Seminar was held every year at the Santa Tecla Spiritual Training Center in the South. Since many participants found the South American Spiritual Training Center’s location more convenient, from now on the Seminar site will alternate between the two Spiritual Training Centers.

The breakdown of the participants by country was 85 for Argentina, 45 for Paraguay, 37 for Peru, 34 for Brazil, 33 for Uruguay, 11 for Panama, 8 for Bolivia, 5 for Columbia, 4 for Venezuela, 2 for Chili, 2 for Mexico, 2 for Spain, 1 for the U.S.A., 1 for England, and 1 for Japan.

After the Seminar, a discussion session was held between Rev. Yukishima and 37 leaders from Latin American countries. Specific questions were asked about the Seicho-No-Ie teachings and local activities. There was an active exchange of opinions.

Rev. Yukishima commented, “It was an opportunity for me to get a first-hand sense of the Movement in Latin America. In the future, propagation of the teachings in English, Spanish, Portuguese will be the key to the development of the Movement overseas. I would like to move forward with our Movement while coordinating activities in these languages.”


Remarks by Rev. Yoshio Mukai,

Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Latin America

“From January of this year, every month we have been posting on the Internet a Seimei no Jisso (Truth of Life) Study Class for the leaders in Latin American countries. So we used this site to promote the Seminar. This contributed to the participation of people from all the countries that have a Seicho-No-Ie base for propagation. The Seminar turned out to be a great success. The leaders from all the countries were most satisfied with the meaningful dialogue they had with Rev. Yukishima, Chief of the International Department.”