Longevity Spiritual Training Seminar (Japanese) held in Brazil
The Number of Participants Totals 731
In Brazil, a Longevity Spiritual Training Seminar was held from December 3 to 5 at the South American Spiritual Training Center in Ibiuna, Sao Paulo. The number of participants totaled 731, including 114 newcomers.
This Spiritual Training Seminar is held for Japanese Brazilians over 70 years of age, who can understand Japanese. Its objective is to encourage them to live with a sense of meaning for life through the Seicho-No-Ie faith even after their retirement and continue Seicho-No-Ie activities. This was the 44th Seminar.
The Seminar was held under such themes as “Daily Living that Brings Joy to Your Life” and “The Significance of Increasing the Holy Mission Fellowship Members and Distribution of Seicho-No-Ie Monthly Magazines.” The texts used included Byoki ni Katsu (Win Over Illness) and Jisso to Gensho (True Image and Phenomena) by Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi; and Seicho-No-Ie no Shinko ni tsuite (On the Faith of Seicho-No-Ie) by Rev. Seicho Taniguchi. The lecturers were Rev. Yoshio Mukai (Ordained Minister, Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Latin America), Rev. Marie Murakami (Ordained Minister, Chairman of Brazil Missionary Headquarters), two Assistant Ministers, and three Regional Lecturers. They all guided in Japanese.
The lectures included “Thoughtful Love Is Man’s Mission” and “The Faith of Seicho-No-Ie.” The Seminar program also included Neglected Aborted Children’s Tower Memorial Service, Mind Purification Ceremony, Ancestor Memorial Service, and Shinoskan for Mutual Prayer.
Fourteen participants who were older than 90 were presented with a commemorative gift of the Holy Sutra, Nectarean Shower of Holy Doctrines.
Comments received from the participants included: “When I received a prayer during the Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer, I felt as if I was reborn”; “For more than five months I suffered from a foot ailment. During the Mind Purification Ceremony I wrote down on paper how I hated my husband and suffered because of it. I later burned the paper. Yesterday my pain disappeared. I was healed”; and “I hope that as many people as possible participate in this Seminar and gain happiness. I will encourage more people to participate.”
Remarks by Rev. Yoshiko Mukai, Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Latin America
“This Spiritual Training Seminar is held once a year by the Brazil Missionary Headquarters to show our appreciation to the forerunners of the Movement who worked hard in Japanese. We do not charge any Seminar fees to those over 70 years of age. But the participants put in the gratitude box the amount which more than compensates for the fee. This event is full of heart and warmth from mutual gratitude between the Seminar host and the participants. I would like to continue holding the Seminar in the future.”