London Spiritual Training Seminar held under the theme, "For A Better World"
83 People Attend
The Fifth London Spiritual Training Seminar was held from August 21 to 23 at the Sunbury Court International Conference Centre in the outskirts of London. The number of participants was 83, up by 21 persons (25%) over the last time. Twenty percent of them (21 people) were first-timers.
Rev. Yuji Otsuka (Ordained Minister stationed in Europe) attributed the reasons for the increased participation to: promoting it on the website of Seicho-No-Ie United Kingdom Association, encouraging participation at the Readers’ Meeting held weekly in London, and the distribution of flyers. Also, the fact that five leaders from London attended August’s Seicho-No-Ie Special Conference for World Peace held in Brazil contributed to the increase.
The Seminar was held in Portuguese under the theme, “For a Better World.” The lecturers were Rev. Junji Miyaura (Ordained Minister, Vice Chairman of Seicho-No-Ie Brazil Headquarters) and Rev. Yuji Otsuka as well as Regional Lecturers and Enlightenment Leaders residing in London. The texts used included Portuguese translations of Ashimoto kara Heiwa o (Realizing Peace by Faith) by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, Mugen Kyokyu no Tobira o Hiraku (To Open the Door to Infinite Wealth) by Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi. Rev. Miyaura gave four lectures, including “For a Better Life—Let’s Spread the Sundial Way of Life.” Rev. Otsuka lectured on “Responsibility for the Next Generation” with Portuguese interpretation.
The Seminar program also included Mind Purification Ceremony, Ancestor Memorial Service, and Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer. There was also a presentation of Propagator Certificates to 33 people residing in England.
Rev. Otsuka commented, “Rev. Miyaura was dispatched from Brazil to guide this Seminar. This year we also held a one-day Truth Realization Seminar in English, so the Movement in English and Portuguese are being promoted as if the two wheels of a car. Attendees voiced their hope to organize a Youth and Young Adult Association. After this Seminar, a Youth Readers’ Meeting is being held regularly and about 20 people attend it.”
Rev. Miyaura remarked, “Brazilian immigrants living in London are doing well in the country of different language and customs. Seicho-No-Ie’s positive philosophy gives them great power. The leaders decided to serve only vegetarian food at this Seminar for the first time. The Movement in England is expanding steadily.”