Readers’ Meeting in Sydney, Australia
Seventeen People Attend and Study the Sundial Way of Life and World Peace
In Australia, a Seicho-No-Ie Readers’ Meeting (English) was held at the Vibe North Sydney Hotel in Sydney on September 4. The number of attendees was 17, including nine newcomers. This was an increase of four people over the previous time. The breakdown of the attendees: 6 Brazilians, 5 Australians, 5 Japanese and 1 Chinese.
Since the International Headquarters resumed propagation activities for Australia in January of last year through the dispatch of an Ordained Minister/Assistant Minister, this was the fourth time that a Readers’ Meeting had been held.
This time, the Readers’ Meeting was held on the “Sundial Way of Life” and “Significance of Seicho-No-Ie’s Effort for Environmental Activity” with an objective that the attendees practice what they learn in their daily lives. Rev. Atsuko Nakanishi (Assistant Minister, North American Section, International Department) was dispatched from the International Headquarters. As her texts she used Shokan Zakkan, Part 15 (Random Thoughts, Part 15) by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, as well as Seimei no Jisso (Truth of Life), Volumes 1 and 7 by Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi.
Rev. Nakanishi gave three lectures on such themes as “Sundial Way of Life and the Power of Words” by using PC images. She also led the Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer in English. In her lecture, “Earth’s Environment, World Peace, Our Mission,” she explained the connection between the earth’s environment and world peace. She stated that we cannot attain true happiness through materialism and that religious faith is necessary for environmental protection. During the Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer, Rev. Nakanishi explained in detail the significance of it and the technique to practice it. For the sake of newcomers, an adequate amount of practice time was taken. Attendees commented: “I got a real sense that prayer is important. It was wonderful.”
A newcomer, who attended after seeing a promotional flyer at a train station commented: “It was a very good gathering. I would like to come back in the future.”
Rev. Nakanishi commented: “Young people are enthusiastic about the Readers’ Meeting and the number of attendees increased from the previous time. Those who sponsored the Readers’ Meeting are hoping for the birth of a local lecturer. For that purpose they wanted to study more. I am confident that the Movement will expand further in Australia in the future.”