Readers’ Meetings Held in Thailand and Indonesia
Readers’ Meeting Held at A High School in Indonesia Draws 60 People
Readers’ Meetings were held in Thailand on March 14 and in Indonesia for two days from March 17 to 18. The number of attendees totaled 71.
Rev. Hisashi Tanaka (Assistant Minister, Central and South American Section, International Department) was dispatched from the International Headquarters as a lecturer. He provided guidance, using Seikatsu Dokuhon (Guide to a Happy Daily Life) by Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi, Jisedai eno Ketsudan (Decision for the Next Generation) by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi and other publications as his texts.
The Joint Readers’ Meeting held in Bangkok on March 14 was attended by three people. Rev. Tanaka gave three lectures and explained the importance of practicing three important religious practices and the Ancestor Memorial Service as well as the need to change our lifestyle to one that grows with nature.
On March 17, as last year, a Joint Readers’ Meeting was held at a public high school in Indonesia and was attended by 60 people, mainly senior high school and college students. This was an increase of 10 people over the previous time. Rev. Tanaka lectured with Indonesian interpretation on the theme, “The God That Seicho-No-Ie Believes In.” He explained the similarities between Seicho-No-Ie and Islam as well as the fact that our own mind creates our life. He also explained the importance of gratitude to our parents and held a workshop, where the attendees wrote letters of gratitude to their parents. Comments received from the attendees included: “Seicho-No-Ie has many similarities with Islam. I was deeply moved”; and “I was able to understand that it is important for us to be grateful to our families and everything .”
On the following day (March 18) a Joint Readers’ Meeting was held at a local hotel and was attended by eight people, including three newcomers. This was an increase of two people from last year. Rev. Tanaka lectured along the same content as at the Joint Readers’ Meeting in Thailand. The attendees’ comments included: “I was able to understand the importance of leaving an earth that is rich with nature for the next generation.”
Rev. Tanaka commented, “I appreciated the fact that the followers in both countries hold Readers’ Meetings regularly, despite the problems of damage from floods and family. I would like to continue supporting them.”