Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi’s Message at Japan’s Three National Events: White Dove Association National Leaders’ Seminar, Brotherhood Association and Prosperity Society Joint National Leaders’ Seminar, and Youth and Young Adult Association National Convention
Recommends A Change from Efficiency-Oriented Lifestyle to A Life that Is One with Nature
The three national events were held in Japan from May 1 to 3 under the same theme, “Aiming at Grand Harmony Between Man and Nature with the Four Immeasurable Minds.” On May 1, the Third Seicho-No-Ie White Dove Association National Leaders’ Seminar was held at nine sites: the main site was the Omiya Sonic City Hall in Saitama City, and the sub-sites were the Uji Temple, Sapporo, Iwate, Miyagi, Aichi, Osaka, Ehime and Fukuoka Missionary Centers. On May 2, the Third Seicho-No-Ie Brotherhood Association and Prosperity Society Joint National Leaders’ Seminar was held at seven sites: the main site was the Yamano Hall in Yoyogi, Tokyo, and the sub-sites were the Uji Temple, Sapporo, Iwate, Miyagi, Ehime and Fukuoka Missionary Centers. On May 3, the 63rd Seicho-No-Ie Youth and Young Adult Association National Convention was held at six sites: the main site was the Yamano Hall in Tokyo, and the sub-sites were the Uji Temple, Sapporo, Iwate, Miyagi and Fukuoka Missionary Centers.
The events were open to leaders only: branch heads and those above, female heads of Regional Lecturers Society and School Personnel Society for the White Dove Association National Leaders’ Seminar; and those above the heads of unit Brotherhood Associations and officers of Prosperity Society branches and those above, and male heads of Regional Lecturers Society and School Personnel Society for the Brotherhood Association and Prosperity Society Joint National Leaders’ Seminar. The Youth and Young Adult Association National Convention was open to members only.
The number of attendees totaled 9,169: 6,595 for the White Dove Association, 1,520 for the Brotherhood Association and Prosperity Society (1208 for the Brotherhood Association and 312 for the Prosperity Society), and 1,054 for the Youth and Young Adult Association.
At each of these events, Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi lectured for one hour.
At the White Dove Association National Leaders’ Seminar, Rev. Taniguchi looked back on his lecture on the importance of empathy from last year’s Seminar. He stated that the goal for humanity is to decrease entropy (un-reusable CO2 and wastes), while expanding the scope of empathy. He said that empathy means the Four Immeasurable Minds, or loving kindness, compassion, joy and non-attachment, which Buddhism has taught from the olden times. He made a point that the practice of the Four Immeasurable Minds not only toward man but also toward nature leads to the solution of problems.
The President next made a comparison of three methods of mowing the lawn: by (1) using a grass cutter, or (2) a lawn mower, or (3) hiring someone to mow with a lawn mower. He said that mowing lawn with a grass cutter is inefficient but the cost is low and there is much feedback from nature and energy consumption is also small. He stressed that pursuing efficiency and convenience brings about the opposite result.
The President next introduced a chart showing the difference between nature and the city in four categories and explained that nature is characterized by high priority on experience, closeness to the environment, tolerance and low energy consumption, while the city is characterized by high priority on efficiency, isolation from the environment, clannishness and high energy consumption. He stressed that it is important that we change our city-oriented lifestyle to the lifestyle that finds joy in being one with nature, which is the tradition of the Japanese culture.
Rev. Taniguchi next introduced the “Prayer to Realize Heaven on Earth” from the Shinri no Ginsho (Recitations on the Truth) and stated that the efficiency-oriented way of thinking is not in line with God’s will.
In concluding his message, Rev. Taniguchi criticized an advertisement placed in the Nippon Keizai Newspaper, “Shopping Saves the World” and said that “inconvenience saves the world.” He proposed the way of life that is the opposite of an efficiency-oriented, wasteful way of life.
At the Brotherhood Association and Prosperity Society National Leaders’ Seminar, the President explained in detail why the above advertisement is wrong. He pointed out that it is an illusion to say that consumption saves the world, when the resources are not unlimited and there are no places to discard wastes. He pointed out that the forest produces air, water and food, which are essential for human existence. He said that in the face of the number of trees needed to sustain a human being in India, Japan and the U.S.A. (44,396, and 792 trees, respectively), if economic progress continues at the current pace, the earth cannot be sustained. He asked the attendees to promote the Movement, while thinking about what kind of a world they should leave for their children and grandchildren.
At the Youth and Young Adult Association National Convention, the President pointed out the fact that there are youth who find happiness in agriculture and forestry. He stressed that if one appreciates inconvenience and finds joy in it, human beings can coexist with other living beings and find the way of life that does not cause war.
Mrs. Junko Taniguchi lectured for 40 minutes at the White Dove Association National Leaders’ Seminar, and 30 minutes each at the Brotherhood Association and Prosperity Society Joint National Leaders’ Seminar and the Youth and Young Adult Association National Convention.
At the White Dove Association National Leaders’ Seminar, Mrs. Taniguchi talked about the recovery from the Great Earthquake of Eastern Japan and stressed that it is important to make each individual’s daily life comply with God’s will rather than superficially restore things to the conditions before the earthquake. She asked that the attendees have a clear picture of what to choose and what kind of society they wish to build, as they live each day.
At the Brotherhood Association and Prosperity Society Joint National Leaders’ Seminar, Mrs. Taniguchi touched upon the nuclear power plant accident. She said that she is determined to live cheerfully and powerfully with firm faith in the God of only goodness toward developing a low CO2 society which uses mainly natural energy.
At the Youth and Young Adult Association National Convention, Mrs. Taniguchi touched upon the fact that the attitude of the victims of the earthquake in the Tohoku Region is receiving high praise from around the world. She encouraged the attendees to take actions to make their daily lives a “stepping stone” for goodness.