National Leaders’ Workshop held in the Republic of China to Deepen Understanding about Environmental Protection Activities
In the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Fifth Republic of China National Leaders’ Workshop was held from December 25 to 26 of last year at a youth center in Tainan. The number of attendees was 68.
This Workshop is held for Regional Lecturers, Propagators and other leaders by the Seicho-No-Ie Republic of China Missionary Center. The objective is to study the Truth and build a common awareness about the International Peace by Faith Movement. This year the program of the Workshop centered around the theme of last July’s Seicho-No-Ie Special Conference held in Japan, “A Consideration of the Relationship Between Nature and Man” and was designed to deepen the attendees’ understanding of Seicho-No-Ie’s environmental protection activities.
Rev. Etsuko Sagara (Ordained Minister, Assistant Chief of Translation Section, International Department) was dispatched from the International Headquarters. She provided guidance together with Rev. Masanori Morita (Ordained Minister, Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Republic of China). They both spoke with Chinese interpretation.
Rev. Sagara used, as her texts, Shinko ni yoru Heiwa no Michi (Realizing Peace by Faith) by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi and gave three lectures, including “Let’s Practice the Four Immeasurable Minds for nature,” She also guided the questions and answers with Rev. Morita. She explained the natural views of the world’s major religions in an easy-to-understand manner. Rev. Morita guided Workshop 1 “The Issue of Peace, Environment, and Resources.” He also gave a lecture, “The Enlightenment Mission Given to the Seicho-No-Ie Republic of China,” and a Q&A session. In Workshop 1, Rev. Morita tried to answer the questions collected through the questionnaires at the Regional Lecturers Workshop held in October. By answering the questions about the environmental protection activity, he explained the significance of acquiring ISO14001 certification.
During the Q&A session, many questions were asked, including those about the International Headquarters’ move to the “Office in the Forest” and the current status of the earth’s environment problem. Reverends Morita and Sagara answered each question convincingly.
Rev. Sagara commented, “From the many questions which the leaders asked and also their earnest attitude, I sensed that their awareness about the environmental issue is getting stronger. I expect that the Movement will be steadily carried forward cheerfully in the future.
Remarks by Rev. Masanori Morita, Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Republic of China
“I feel that this Workshop helped deepen the leaders’ understanding about the environmental protection activities. The Republic of China Missionary Center kicked off the effort to acquire ISO14001 certification on December 30 of last year. I would like to do my best to continue educating the staff and members about the importance of this activity.”