The Seventh London Spiritual Training Seminar Attended by 65 People
Theme “Gratitude to Parents”
The Seventh London Spiritual Training Seminar was held from September 9 to 11 at the Sunbury Court International Conference Centre in the outskirts of London.
In England, a Public Lecture by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie; and Mrs. Junko Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie White Dove Association, was held in London on August 7. This Spiritual Training Seminar took place about a month later. Active promotional activities were carried out, including telephone calls and home visits by mainly seven leaders who attended the Seicho-No-Ie Special Conference for World Peace held in Frankfurt, Germany from July 30 to 31. Also, attendance was strongly encouraged at Readers’ Meetings and an announcement was made in the Facebook, an SNS site, for the first time. As a result, 65 people participated, including 15 first-timers.
The theme of the Seminar included “Gratitude to Parents.” The Seminar was guided by Rev. Jose Maria Coelho (Assistant Minister, Administrative Chief, Latin American Missionary Office), Rev. Yuji Otsuka (Resident Ordained Minister in Europe), local Regional Lecturers/Enlightenment Leaders and others. The texts used included Portuguese translations of Ashimoto kara Heiwa o (Realizing Peace by Faith) by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, and Seimei no Jisso (Truth of Life), Vol. 29 by Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi. Rev. Coelho gave nine lectures, including “Gratitude to Parents” based on the Seicho-No-Ie teachings. Rev. Otsuka lectured on “Shinsokan Is Wonderful.”
A lecture by a Regional Lecturer included an explanation of the significance of man’s coexistence with nature and reducing meat eating. During the Seminar the meals were all “no-meat dishes” prepared by the members of the managing committee.
Rev. Coelho commented, “I was impressed with the attendees’ earnest attitude during my lectures and the leaders’ enthusiasm.”
Remarks by Rev. Yuji Otsuka, Resident Ordained Minister in Europe
“The visit by Rev. and Mrs. Masanobu Taniguchi in August gave the followers in Europe confidence and joy and I believe that translated into the success of this Seminar. Right now we are trying to acquire registration as a charitable organization. When we become officially recognized by the country, I believe that the International Peace by Faith Movement will further expand in the future.