Europe Leaders’ Workshop
Study of Natural World Views of Major Traditional Religions and Other Subjects
The 21st Europe Leaders’ Workshop was held at a youth hostel in Neustatt in Germany from March 18 to 20. Fifty-three people from different parts of Europe attended and studied the Truth. It was an increase of nine people over last year.
The breakdown of attendees by country of residence was 27 for Germany, 14 for England, 8 for Switzerland, 1 for France, 1 for Poland and 1 for Belgium.
Rev. Toshiko May (Ordained Minister, Chief of North American Section, International Department) was dispatched from the International Headquarters as a lecturer. She guided the Workshop together with Rev. Yuji Otsuka (Ordained Minister stationed in Europe). In view of the attendees’ language background, simultaneous interpretation was provided for German, English and Portuguese.
Rev. May gave four lectures and guided a Q&A session. In her lecture, “Nature and Man Living Together and Coexisting—Learning from the Natural World View of Major Traditional Religions,” her guidance centered around the content of the 2009 Special Conference for World Peace held in Brazil and 2010 Special Conference held in Japan, both of which had a similar theme. Also, based on the Special Conferences for World Peace held from 2003 to the present time, she explained the significance of the upcoming Special Conference for World Peace, which will take place in Germany this summer.
Rev. Otsuka gave two lectures and also guided Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer. In his lecture, “The Mission of Seicho-No-Ie Regional Lecturers/Enlightenment Leaders,” he talked about the Sundial Way of Life and also explained the “Movement that Grows with Nature” based on the translations in different language of the 2011 Movement Policy.
Rev. May commented, “We were able to affirm the significance of the fact that Seicho-No-Ie is dealing with the environmental problem as a religious movement in Germany, where the awareness about the environment is high. Good work is expected of the leaders under Rev. Otsuka’s guidance by making use of their diverse cultural and language background.”
Rev. Otsuka remarked, “This is a special year. Rev. and Mrs. Masanobu Taniguchi will come to Germany to guide the Special Conference for World Peace and also provide guidance at a Public Lecture in England. With joy and building on our study at the Workshop, we would like to promote the Movement cheerfully and freely, which makes good use of the cultural and language diversity, so that the Seicho-No-Ie Movement will further spread in many parts of Europe.”