Urges Attendees that They Build a Balanced Civilization for the Next Generation
Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi’s Message at Japan’s Three National Events: White Dove Association National Leaders’ Seminar, Brotherhood and Prosperity Society Joint National Leaders’ Seminar, and Youth and Young Adult Association National Convention
The three national events were held in Japan under the same theme, “Aiming to Build a ‘New Civilization’ with Man Coexisting with Nature with the Four Immeasurable Minds.” On April 28, the Fourth Seicho-No-Ie White Dove Association National Leaders’ Seminar was held at nine sites: the main site was the Tobitakyu Spiritual Training Center, and the sub-sites were the Uji Temple, Sapporo, Iwate, Aichi, Osaka, Okayama, Ehime and Fukuoka Missionary Centers. On April 29, the Fourth Seicho-No-Ie Brotherhood Association and Prosperity Society Joint National Leaders’ Seminar was held, and on April 30 the 64th Seicho-No-Ie Youth and Young Adult Association National Convention was held. The main site of these two events was the Tobitakyu Spiritual Training Center and sub-sites were the Uji Temple and Fukuoka Missionary Center.
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 leaders including the heads of unit Brotherhood Associations and the heads of Prosperity Society branches and those above as well as the 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 8,934: 6,627 for the White Dove Association, 1,434 for the Brotherhood Association and Prosperity Society (1,146 for the Brotherhood Association and 288 for the Prosperity Society), and 873 for the Youth and Young Adult Association.
Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi gave a one-hour lecture at each of these events.
At the White Dove Association National Leaders’ Seminar, Rev. Taniguchi started by lecturing on “How to Think About ‘Kanzeon Bosatsu.’” While quoting from the Jisedai eno Ketsudan (Decision for the Next Generation), he stated that man’s essential nature that teaches something from within is called “Kanzeon Bosatsu.” He introduced many “Kannon” statues, including the eleven-face Kannon statue at the Seianji Temple in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture and the “Kanzeon Bosatsu” image in his own home. He said that their shapes are the mirrors of their minds.
Rev. Taniguchi also explained the meaning of the Seicho-No-Ie teachings, “man is a child of God” and “the object of worship is ‘Kanzeon Bosatsu.’” Pointing out that when we worship the “Kanzeon Bosatsu” we appear to be worshiping its external shape, he stressed that in fact, we should worship the conscience that is born of the child of God.
The President next turned the topic of his lecture to neuroscience. From Born Believers, a book by Dr. Justin Barrett, an American developmental psychologist, he introduced that one year after birth a human being comes to have “natural religion,” and cited its seven traits, such as belief in “the existence of superhuman being” and “creation of natural (physical) world.”
Rev. Taniguchi next referred to the book by a neuroscientist, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, My Stroke of Insight. He introduced her experience: after a stroke damaged her left brain, with the workings of her right brain she sensed oneness with everything. The President stressed the importance of energizing the right brain and deepening the sense of oneness with all others in order to hear the teaching of the “Kanzeon Bosatsu” (our real self).
In concluding his lecture, the President made a point that Seicho-No-Ie is not denying the left brain’s function or the city life and stressed that we are promoting the movement to restore balance between the left and right brain. He asked that the attendees join hands in developing the next generation of Japanese who nurture nature.
At the Brotherhood Association and Prosperity Society Joint National Leaders’ Seminar, Rev. Taniguchi introduced figures of the “Kanzeon Bosatsu” with many faces and hands. He said that the faces symbolize diversity, and the hands freedom. The President taught that the existence that guides us in all situations dwells within us and the “Kanzeon Bosatsu” is external expressions of it.
At the Youth and Young Adult Association National Convention, Rev. Taniguchi stated that every human being has “natural religion” and urged the attendees to speak about God without feeling embarrassed. He stressed that in doing so, it is important to not only gain intuitive recognition but also to confirm it with rationality.
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 introduced the fact that her brother-in-law passed away suddenly in March of last year. She stressed that it is important to know that our life is limited and live each day deeply and truthfully. Referring to her book, Shiki no Megumi Bento (Four Seasons’ No-Meat Box Lunches), she emphasized that we should not take the food of others and leave a beautiful earth for the next generation.
At the Brotherhood Association and Prosperity Society Joint National Leaders’ Seminar, Mrs. Taniguchi introduced the way of life that enjoys the joy of earthly existence while accepting death by referring to Tsurezuregusa ([Random Thoughts from my Leisure Hours], a 14th century collection of essays by Kenko Yoshida). She emphasized that it is important to have a mental habit to see beauty and good points in everything in our surrounding.
At the Youth and Young Adult Association National Convention, Mrs. Taniguchi stated that true information exists, not in the city but in the forest. She urged the construction of a “new civilization” and strongly urged the attendees to reduce their meat diet.