The 51st International Spiritual Training Seminar Held in Toronto, Canada
The 51st International Spiritual Training Seminar was held from October 1 to 3 at the Crief Hills Community in Toronto, Canada. The number of participants was 23, including four first-timers.
The lecturers included Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara (Ordained Minister, Chairperson of the International Spiritual Training Center), Rev. Bruce Mallery (Ordained Minister, Chief of New York Missionary Area), Rev. Toshiro Kobayashi (Ordained Minister, Chief of Toronto Missionary Area), and Rev. Hideki Takao (Assistant Minister, International Spiritual Training Center).
The texts used were Seimei no Jisso (Truth of Life), Volumes 1 and 7 by Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi, Chie to Ai no Message (Messages of Wisdom and Love) by Rev. Seicho Taniguchi, and other publications. There were 11 lectures, including “Let’s Save the Earth.” There were also Mind Purification Ceremony, Ancestor Memorial Service, Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer, the recitation of “the True Image is perfect and harmonious.”
Also, there was a “picture envelope workshop” entitled “Seicho-No-Ie Way of Life—Gratitude and Harmony to every human being, thing and occurrence,” which was well received at the previous International Spiritual Training Seminar.
Rev. Teshigawara first explained the significance of painting pictures. Then, the participants all drew pictures and showed them to one another and exchanged praise.
There was a “gratitude box” at the site, which was also well received at the previous Seminar. Words of praise were placed in the box and were later shared. Comments received from the participants included: “Painting made me notice things which I had not before. I was surprised”; and “My husband, who participated with me, wants to study more about Seicho-No-Ie. I was pleased.”
Remarks by Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara, Chairperson of the International Spiritual Training Center
“The participants were earnest students and wanted to study the teaching deeply. I was deeply moved. Mr. Heace Shimizu, President of Seicho-No-Ie Canada, and Mrs. Jennet Cox and other leaders in Toronto provided thorough care for the participants and managed the Seminar well under the guidance of Rev. Kobayashi, Chief of Toronto Missionary Area. After the Seminar, I received a letter from a participant who said she gained a good understanding of Seicho-No-Ie at the Seminar. I again realized the wonderfulness of the Seminar. I would like to fulfill the mission of the International Spiritual Training Seminar, together with the directors and staff of the International Spiritual Training Center.”