Two-Day (One Overnight) Truth Realization Seminar Held at Four Locations in Brazil
Number of Participants Totals 1,101
In Brazil, a two-day (one overnight) Truth Realization Seminar was held at Brazil Missionary Headquarters' four spiritual training centers was held on November 3 and 4. The number of participants totaled 1,101 (an increase of 528 people over the previous time). The sites of the Seminar were Curitiba, Santa Tecla, Santa Fe and Amazonia Spiritual Training Centers.
At the Curitiba Spiritual Training Center in the South of Brazil, the Ancestor Memorial Service and Memorial Service for the Souls of Enslaved People are held on November 2 every year. This is in keeping with the fact that the Catholic Church, which many Brazilian follow, designates November 2 the "Day of the Deceased" and offers prayers for the souls of all the dead. So from the following day (November 3) Seicho-No-Ie has been holding a two-day (one overnight) Truth Realization Seminar called the "Truth Realization Seminar to Express Gratitude to Our Ancestors" since 2010.
The Seminar was guided by Rev. Fernando Antonio Mendes Marquez (Ordained Minister, Head of Lecturers' Division, Brazil Missionary Headquarters), and others. The texts used included Jinsei o Shihaisuru Senzokuyo (Ancestor Memorial Service That Commands Our Life) by Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi, and Shinsokan wa Subarashii (Shinsokan Is Wonderful) by Rev. Seicho Taniguchi. The number of participants was 123.
The Seminar program included lectures on such themes as "On the Ancestor Memorial Service" and "Parents and Ancestors—the Root of Our Life," an explanation and practice of Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer, and laughing practice.
Comments from the participants included: "I felt deeply grateful to my ancestors and felt that I became one with God. The time I spent at the Seminar was very worthwhile"; "I am grateful for the good virtues that I have succeeded from my ancestors, especially for the fact that they led me to the Humanity Enlightenment Movement"; and "I participated with my husband, mother and daughter. Through the Seminar I felt certain that gratitude to my parents is the basis for everything and it connects me to God and my ancestors."
Remarks by Rev. Yoshio Mukai, Former Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Latin America
"We hold this Seminar at this time of year when the Ancestor Memorial Service takes place every year. Our hope is that many people can participate, regardless of organizational affiliation and age. We call it the 'Truth Realization Seminar to Express Gratitude to Our Ancestors.'"