Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi Message at Seicho-No-Ie Founding Day Celebration
Urges Attendees to Practice the Four Immeasurable Minds and Change the Way of Life that Priorities Greed
The 83rd Seicho-No-Ie Founding Day Celebration and Ceremony to Commemorate the Seicho-No-Ie Presidency Succession was held from 10:00 a.m. on March 1 at the Seicho-No-Ie Headquarters in Harajuku, Tokyo. Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie, gave a 20-minute address from 10:40 a.m. in his capacity as the Superintendent.
Rev. Taniguchi introduced his new book published on the same day, Jisedai eno Ketsudan—Shukyosha ga “Datsu-Genpatsu” o Kimeta Riyu ([The Decision for the Next Generation—the Reason for a Religionist’s Decision to Abandon Nuclear Energy], published by Seicho-No-Ie). He made the point that for the first time Seicho-No-Ie clearly stated its stance to “abandon nuclear energy” in the form of a book.
Rev. Taniguchi next pointed out that currently Japan is wavering between the promotion and abandonment of the use of nuclear energy. He said that those who are for abandoning nuclear energy use have not shown how to change our present lifestyle but that Seicho-No-Ie has a certain degree of expertise as to how to change the city-oriented, materialistic lifestyle, and there is our teaching of the Sundial Way of Life and the negation of materialism.
He next explained that the three kinds of love written by Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi in the first issue of the Seicho-No-Ie magazine point to the Four Immeasurable Minds. He said that Seicho-No-Ie followers have the mission to practice the Four Immeasurable Minds of loving kindness, compassion, joy and non-attachment. He stressed that in this age when a serious friction exists between man and nature we must practice the Four Immeasurable Minds not only to human beings but also toward nature.
From the Jisedai eno Ketsudan (The Decision for the Next Generation), the President introduced a section, where it says that disaster is a result of human behaviors accumulated from the past and said that we are being called on to examine our behavioral standard that is combined with greed and change it to the way of life that does not use fossil fuel or destroys the ecological system.
In concluding his message, Rev. Taniguchi urged the attendees to contribute to the world’s progress in the right direction with unique ideas and the power to act based on the awareness that man is a child of God.
The Seicho-No-Ie Founding Day Celebration was held with the presence of Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi and Mrs. Junko Taniguchi, President of the White Dove Association. It was attended by 815 people. Prior to the President’s address, Rev. Kazuo Isobe, Chairman and CEO of Seicho-No-Ie, gave congratulatory message. Mrs. Hisako Suzuki, head of the Ehime Missionary Area White Dove Association, and Mrs. Tomoko Ozaki, Chairman of Seicho-No-Ie Germany (Seicho-No-Ie Freundeskreis in Deutschland eV.) also gave congratulatory messages on behalf of the followers. In addition, there was an award ceremony to recognize the dedication of 112 people with the Headquarters Awards, including the Double Ring of Light Award.
Prior to this, on February 28, the 61st Seicho-No-Ie Delegates Conference was held. Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi gave a message for 29 minutes from 4:35 p.m.
In his message the President stressed the importance of “Words,” that is, religious faith and enlightenment which precede the expressions with the body, mouth and thoughts. He said that even if books are not published, if there is the awareness to disseminate the “Words,” a new movement based on them will begin. The “Office in the Forest” is a part of that expression. He strongly urged the promotion of the movement that gives consideration to the next generation.
The Delegates Conference was held from 1:30 p.m. with the presence of Rev. and Mrs. Masanobu Taniguchi. It was attended by 805 people, including Seicho-No-Ie Missionary Counselors, and domestic and overseas officers. The 2012 Movement Policy was explained and a Q&A session was held.