Europe leaders' Workshop
Study Includes the Sundial Way of Life
The 19th Europe Leaders’ Workshop was held from March 20 to 22 at a youth hostel in Neustatt in Germany. It was attended by 50 people from eight countries, which was an increase of 14 people from the previous year.
The breakdown of the attendees by country was 31 for Germany, 6 for France, 6 for Switzerland, 2 for England, 2 for Ireland, 1 for Austria, 1 for Sweden, and 1 for Belgium.
Rev. Masashi Tsujita (Ordained Minister, Chief of Lecturers’ Section, Propagation and Lecturers’ Department) was dispatched from the International Headquarters. He guided together with Rev. Yuji Otsuka (Ordained Minister stationed in Europe). They spoke with German and Portuguese interpretation.
Rev. Tsujita gave four lectures, including “Seicho-No-Ie’s Philosophy that only God is the True Image” and “Study of Islam for World Peace.” Rev. Otsuka also gave four lectures, including “’Sundial way of Life’ that Realizes the True Image” and “the Mission of Seicho-No-Ie Regional Lecturers and Propagators.” The Q&A sessions were guided by both of them.
Since the Regional Lecturers Examination will be given in Europe this year for the first time in 12 years, Rev. Tsujita explained the fundamental teachings of Seicho-No-Ie, such as “only God-Created perfect world exists,” “all phenomena are manifestations of only mind”, and “all religions emanate from one universal God.” He showed Power Point images with German translations on the screen, so that his explanations were easy to understand.
Rev. Otsuka introduced various events held in European countries, showing images on the screen. He also explained that the sundial way of life contributes to the solution of the environmental problems. Touching upon Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi’s succession in March to the Presidency of Seicho-No-Ie, he stressed that it is important to be united as one through the teaching given by the new President and cooperate with the International Headquarters in promoting the Movement.
Comments received from the attendees included: “I deepened my understanding of Islam and my prejudice disappeared”; and “I realized that the sundial way of life is important.”
Rev. Otsuka remarked, “The Workshop was filled with love, brightness and energy. It also produced as good result: about 200 copies of Seicho-No-Ie books and other publications were sold.” Rev. Tsujita remarked, “An election of directors of the Seicho-No-Ie Germany Readers’ Meeting, Inc. was held after the Workshop and members who played a central role in managing the Workshop were elected new directors. So I feel confident that the Movement will expand further in the future.”