The 22nd Europe Leaders’ Workshop
Study of Oneness between God, Nature and Human Beings
The 22nd Europe Leaders’ Workshop was held from March 30 to April 1 at a youth hostel in Mainz, Germany. Forty-eight leaders from across Europe studied the Truth together.
The breakdown of the attendees by country of residence was 21 for Germany, 6 for France, 7 for England, 2 for Austria, 9 for Switzerland, 1 for Poland, and 2 for Belgium.
Rev. Mutsuji Yamaoka (Ordained Minister, Chief of Publishing and Public Affairs Department) was dispatched from the International Headquarters as a lecturer. He guided together with Rev. Yuji Otsuka (Resident Ordained Minister in Europe). In view of the linguistic background of the participants, simultaneous interpretation was offered in three languages: German, English and Portuguese.
The Workshop was held with the objective of helping to deepen leaders’ awareness and understand the International Headquarters’ Movement Policy, so that a more coordinated Movement will be carried out in Europe. Rev. Yamaoka gave four lectures, including “Seicho-No-Ie’s International Peace by Faith Movement that Grows with Nature—Let’s Spread the Teaching That Is in Step with the Current Time.” He said that it is necessary to let the inherent oneness between God, nature and human beings penetrate not only in the consciousness but also to the level of the subconsciousness. For that purpose, he stressed the need to read the Daily Prayers and practice Shinsokan to Visualize the Four Immeasurable Minds. He asked that the leaders in European countries join hands and move forward in building a new civilization where man co-exists with nature.
Rev. Otsuka gave three lectures, including “The Mission of Seicho-No-Ie Regional Lecturers and Propagators in Europe.” He also guided the religious practices such as Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer.
Comments from the attendees included: “I was able to learn how the Movement is unfolding. I now want to change my lifestyle to one that takes the environmental problems into consideration.
Rev. Yamaoka commented, “The Movement in European countries is becoming energized, thanks to last year’s Seicho-No-Ie Special Conference for World Peace and the public lecture in London, which were guided by Rev. and Mrs. Masanobu Taniguchi. I hope that from now on, each country will engage in an environmental protection activity that suits its uniqueness and dispatch information to the world.”
Remarks by Rev. Yuji Otsuka, Resident Ordained Minister in Europe
“It is quite significant that we could study about the ‘change to a civilization where God, nature and human beings exist in harmony.’ I hope to further the ‘Movement that Grows with Nature.’”