The First Youth Spiritual Training Seminar Held in the Republic of China
Aims to Energize Activities of Youth
The First Youth Spiritual Training Seminar was held from May 29 to 31 at the Kaohsiung Missionary Center in Kaohsiung, the Republic of China. Fifty people between the ages of 18 to 39 (21 males and 29 females) participated.
In the Republic of China, a Spiritual Training Seminar for College, Professional School and High School Students has been held every year to develop youth. However, once the participants graduate, they do not become involved in organizational activities such as attending Readers’ Meetings. Therefore, it was decided to hold, in addition to the spiritual training seminar for students, a spiritual training seminar for youth to energize their activities.
Rev. Masashi Shindo (Ordained Minister, Vice Chief of the Youth and Young Adult Association) was dispatched from the International Headquarters as a lecturer. He guided together with Rev. Masanori Morita (Ordained Minister, Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Republic of China), Rev. Chen Bor Horng (Ordained Minister) and others. Rev. Shindo gave three lectures, including, “Vertical Truth and Horizontal Truth” as well as the closing lecture. Rev. Morita gave two lectures, such as “Seicho-No-Ie that Teaches All Religions Emanates from One Universal God.” Rev. Chen gave one lecture and served as Rev. Shindo’s interpreter.
The Chinese translation of Shinko ni yoru Heiwa no Michi (Realizing Peace by Faith, authored by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi and brought out by the Republic of China Missionary Headquarters) was published for this Seminar.
The Seminar program also included Mind Purification Ceremony and Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer. There was also a period to “practice deeds of love.” The participants distributed copies of the monthly magazine, Seicho-No-Ie, near the Missionary Center.
Comments received from the participants included: “I participated in the practice of deeds of love. At first I felt embarrassed but I enjoyed it very much”; and “I would like to work hard to help energize young people’s activities.”
Rev. Shindo remarked, “I was amazed at the participants’ high awareness. I could easily tell that they were searching for the truth. I expect that this Seminar will produce leaders who will shoulder the Movement in the Republic of China in the future.
REMARKS BY REV. MASANORI MORITA, BISHOP OF SEICHO-NO-IE REPUBLIC OF CHINA
“In preparing for this Seminar, I was hoping to develop young people who have the enthusiasm to study and propagate the teachings. As expected, there was a change in the participants’ awareness. We received positive comments, such as, “I want to start a Readers’ Meeting.” This was a great result. I would like to send young leaders to the Leaders Development Workshop to be held in Japan in the fall and provide guidance to energize young people’s activities in Taiwan.”