Fifty-Forth International Spiritual Training Seminar Held in South California
The 54th International Spiritual Training Seminar was held from February 3 to 5 at the Mary and Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes City, California, U.S.A. The number of participants was 57, including 24 first-timers.
The lecturers were Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara (Ordained Minister, Chairperson of International Spiritual Training Center), Rev. Mario Kawakami (Ordained Minister, Vice Bishop of the United States Missionary Headquarters), Rev. Bruce Mallery (Ordained Minister, Chief of New York Missionary Area), Rev. Tomio Otsuka (Ordained Minister, United States Missionary Headquarters), and Rev. Hideki Takao (Assistant Minister, International Spiritual Training Center). There were 11 lectures, including “Gratitude Is the Key to Happiness.” In addition, the Seminar program included “Picture Envelope Workshop,” Mind Purification Ceremony, Ancestor Memorial Service, and Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer.
In his lecture, “To Save the Earth,” Rev. Kawakami explained the environmental problem and also talked about the significance of the International Headquarters’ move to the “Office in the Forest.”
First-time participants’ comments included: “Seicho-No-Ie struck me as a wonderful teaching that embraces all”; and “The programs were all great. I am glad that I could participate in the Seminar. I gained a precious experience.”
Remarks by Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara, Chairperson of International Spiritual Training Center
“Rev. Kawakami, Chief of the Southern California Missionary Area, as well as the leaders and followers there made a sincere and earnest effort to promote and manage the Seminar. I was especially pleased that there were 24 newcomers, including those who had studied Seicho-No-Ie before but had never participated in any events, followers of other religions, and those whose grandparents had taught them the wonderfulness of Seicho-No-Ie. There was also a participant who wanted to raise his awareness as a leader in order to energize English propagation. From now on I will join hands with the directors of the International Spiritual Training Center and perform its mission in order to realize God’s will.”