Reader’s Meetings in Thailand and Indonesia Draw a Total of 50 People
Attendees’ Awareness about No-Meat Diet Increases
Last year, Readers' Meetings were held in Thailand on October 17 and in Indonesia for two days from October 20 to 21. Rev. Kiyoaki Koike (Ordained Minister, Chief of Middle-Aged Membership Expansion Division) was dispatched from the International Headquarters as a lecturer.
A Japanese-language Joint Readers' Meeting was held on October 17 at a member's home in Bangkok and was attended by four people. Rev. Koike gave three lectures, using, as his texts, Jisedai eno Ketsudan (Decision for the Next Generation) by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, Shiki no Megumi Bento (Delicious Non-Meat–Seasonal Wholefood Box Meals) by Mrs. Junko Taniguchi, and other publications. Rev. Koike’s lectures were entitled "The Power of Words Creates the Environment" and "Let's Recommend No-Meat Cooking to Others." His explanation that used graphic and animation images on the iPad was easy to understand. Rev. Koike also guided the "Explanation and Practice of Shinsokan to Practice the Four Immesaurable Minds" and led a practice of that Shinsokan.
On October 20, as in March of last year, a Joint Readers' Meeting was held in a classroom of a public high school in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. It was attended by about 40 high school students and two Japanese followers. Rev. Koike gave a lecture, "In Order to Realize Our Dream," with Indonesian interpretation. He explained that expressing the good that is within us by using the power of words leads to the realization of our dreams. He followed it with a workshop, where the attendees wrote down on paper their strong points and dreams and presented them. The presentation of positive dreams followed, including, "I want to master three languages and become a diplomat." It energized the Readers' Meeting.
On October 21 a Joint Readers' Meeting was held at a local hotel and was attended by five people, including one newcomer. Rev. Koike gave a lecture which was almost the same as the one in Thailand.
There were comments of surprise from the attendees, including: "Until now I was eating meat and thought nothing of it, because I did not know that meat eating was a cause of environmental destruction." One attendee decided to promote no-meat cooking. Another tried no-meat cooking and is making it public on the facebook or through e-mail. The attendees’ awareness about no-meat cooking is being strengthened even after the Readers’ Meeting.
Remarks by Rev. Kiyoaki Koike, Ordained Minister
"The attendees took keen interest in no-meat cooking. Their response was very positive. I would like to cooperate with the Headquarters’ International Department from now on and support the activities of the followers in these countries."