The Third Republic of China National Leaders' Workshop Attracts 101 People
Theme of the Workshop the Teaching that All Religions Emanate from One Universal God and Islam
The Third Republic of China National Leaders’ Workhop was held from November 15 to 16 of last year at the Riyuetan Youth Center in Nantau. The number of attendees was 101.
This Seminar has been held by the Seicho-No-Ie Republic of China Missionary Headquarters since 2006 in order that Regional Lecturers and Propagators study the Truth and gain a common awareness about the Movement and promote systematic activities.
In the Republic of China there are about 105,000 working Indonesians, many of whom are Muslims. Therefore, this Workshop was held “On Islam,” based on last July’s Seicho-No-Ie Special Conference for World Peace held in Japan. Rev. Shoji Tsujita (Ordained Minister, Chief of the Lecturers Affaires Section, Missionary Activities and Lecturers Department) was dispatched from the International Headquarters. He provided guidance with Rev. Masanori Morita (Ordained Minister, Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Republic of China). They spoke with Chinese interpretation.
Using as his texts Seimei no Jisso (Truth of Life), Volumes 11 and 28, Shinko ni yoru Heiwa no Michi (Realizing Peace by Faith), Shokan Zakkan Part 11 (Random Thoughts), Hidokeishugi towa Nanika (What Is the Sundial Way of Life?) and other publications, Rev. Tsujita gave four lectures: “Seicho-No-Ie and I,” “What Is Islam?” “Islam and Seicho-No-Ie” and “Let’s Practice the Sundial Way of Life.” Mixing in his own experiences, he explained, in an easy-to-understand manner, the fundamental teachings: “only God-Created perfect world exists” and “all phenomena are manifestations of only mind.” He also explained the similarities between Islam and Seicho-No-Ie from the viewpoint that all religions emanate from one universal God. In the closing remark, he stressed that living the sundial way of life—one sets an example and actually lives a bright life—is linked to the Humanity Enlightenment Movement and International Peace by Faith Movement.
Rev. Morita gave two lectures: “The Objective of This Workshop” and “In Order to Revitalize Readers’ Meetings.” He also guided the Q&A session with Rev. Tsujita.
Comments received from the attendees included: “The misunderstanding and prejudice about Islam which I have had since my school days have dissolved”; and “Study of Seicho-No-Ie’s similarities with Islam through the teaching that all religions emanate from one universal God helped to deepen my understanding of the Seicho-No-Ie teachings. I would like to propagate with even more confidence.”
Remarks by Rev. Masanori Morita,
Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Republic of China
“We treated Islam for the first time in the Republic of China, where 95% of the population follows Buddhism. I was concerned at first if it will be accepted by the leaders. The attendees studied it earnestly. We have received comments that their view on Islam has changed. I am glad that we chose Islam as the theme of the Workshop. I would like to continue to work hard to improve the propagation skills of Regional Lecturers and materialize the Movement Policy’s action plans.”