Europe Spiritual Training Seminar held in Stuttgart, Germany
The 26th Seicho-No-Ie Europe Spiritual Training Seminar was held from July 23 to 25 at a youth hostel in Stuttgart, Germany. The number of participants was 28, including four newcomers. The breakdown of the participants by place of residence was 21 for Germany, 3 for Austria, 1 for France, 1 for Switzerland, 1 for Sweden, and 1 for Japan.
This Seminar had been held in Bad Kissingen for five years until last year. In light of the Carbon Zero Movement, the Seminar site was changed to Stuttgart, which is more accessible by train.
Rev. Shuichi Odaira (Ordained Minister, Vice Chief of the Youth and Young Adult Association) was dispatched from the International Headquarters as a lecturer. He provided guidance together with Rev. Yuji Otsuka (Ordained Minister stationed in Europe). Both spoke with German interpretation.
Using the slides which he had prepared, Rev. Odaira gave five lectures, including a concluding lecture. In his lecture, “Have a Great Dream,” he made a point that a great dream is an expression of the infinite power of the indwelling God, using Seinen no Sho (For Young People) by Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi as his text. He then explained the conditions for materializing a dream.
Rev. Otsuka gave three lectures, including “The Principle of Healing Through the Seicho-No-Ie Faith.” He also guided Mind Purification Ceremony, Ancestor Memorial Service, and Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer.
On the afternoon of the second day, there was a session on Seicho-No-Ie’s view of art and the significance of making picture cards, by using, as the text, Shizen to Geijutsu ni tsuite (On Nature and Art) by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi. The participants later took a walk outside on the theme, “Let’s Be Grateful for Nature’s Blessings” and made picture cards with a sketch of wild grass and flowers.
Comments received from the participants included: “The lecture, “Have a Great Dream,” had just the right content for me now. I received inspiration and energy”; and “I had not drawn pictures for many years. I enjoyed making picture cards.”
Rev. Odaira commented, “The Seminar had a bright atmosphere of harmony which enveloped everyone warmly. It felt homey. I expect that the participants will share the upliftment they received at the Seminar with people around them and promote the Movement.”
Rev. Otsuka remarked, “Rev. Odaira’s lectures gave us a sense of a youthful dream and vitality. They were well received. The Seminar had a positive atmosphere. I believe that this was a better managed-event than last year’s Seminar.”