Religion in Crisis
Essays
Grasping That Formless Entity We Call the Heart by Masahiro Mori
We labor under the delusion that what we see is the truth, causing us to have problems and suffer. To realize how incorrectly we are perceiving things is the first step toward being able to see into our own hearts.
Masahiro Mori, a specialist in robot engineering and control engineering, is a professor emeritus of the Tokyo Institute of Technology and president of the Jizai Research Institute. He is the author of many books on his specialty as well as works on Buddhism, including The Buddha in the Robot.
Religion in Crisis or “in the Making”? by Hiromasa Mase
What religion can provide is a moral foundation. Being aware of pressing problems and situations, such as the morality of environmental issues, the morality of the right to life, and the very morality of religion itself, should not religion take some action?
Hiromasa Mase is dean of the Faculty of Community Service at Tohoku University of Community Service and Science in Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture. Until 2001 he was a professor in the Faculty of Letters at Keio University in Tokyo, where he is now professor emeritus. He is the author of numerous books and articles on the philosophy of religion.
A Buddhist Education in a European Country: Austria as a Case Model by Myoshin-Friedrich Fenzl
Austria has discovered that five principles are necessary in order to improve Buddhist education in non-Buddhist countries–but the most important task should be the training of competent Dharma teachers.
Myoshin-Friedrich Fenzl, leader of the Jodo-Shin movement in Austria, is the founder and deputy chairman of the Buddhist Society of Salzburg, which promotes a variety of Buddhist and interreligious activities, including meditation sessions, lectures, video performances, annual Buddhist festivals, religious education for children and youth, and hospital chaplaincy.
The Stories of the Lotus Sutra
The Great Stupa of Abundant Treasures Buddha by Gene Reeves
This story makes free use of unusual images and events to advance a unified worldview indicating that the Buddha is somehow represented throughout the universe.
Gene Reeves is currently studying, teaching, and writing on Buddhism in Tokyo. A consultant and teacher at Rissho Kosei-kai, he was recently a research fellow at Rikkyo University. Before coming to Japan in 1989, Dr. Reeves was the dean of Meadville/Lombard Theological School and professorial lecturer in the Divinity School of the University of Chicago.
Conference Report
Asian Muslims Gather in Bangkok to Promote International Interfaith Dialogue by M. Abdus Sabur
M. Abdus Sabur is Secretary General of the Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN).
Reflections
Using the Right Skillful Means by Nikkyo Niwano
This essay is part of a continuing series of translations from a volume of inspirational writings by the late founder of Rissho Kosei-kai. Dharma World will continue to publish these essays because of their lasting value as guidance for the practice of one’s faith in daily life.
Nikkyo Niwano, the late founder of the Buddhist association Rissho Kosei-kai, was an honorary president of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) and was honorary chairman of Shinshuren (Federation of New Religious Organizations of Japan) at the time of his death in October 1999.
Once-in-a-Lifetime Meetings by Nichiko Niwano
Every year brings new encounters, and new encounters, we hope, will bring a year of hope. To make this a reality it is crucial that we treasure the “once-in-a-lifetime meetings” that each day brings us. Following is a translation of a recent interview with Rev. Nichiko Niwano that originally appeared in Rissho Kosei-kai’s Japanese periodical Yakushin.
Nichiko Niwano is president of Rissho Kosei-kai and the Niwano Peace Foundation, a president of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP), and vice-chairman of Shinshuren (Federation of New Religious Organizations of Japan).
Buddhist Living
How the Buddhist Experience Changed My Life by Mike Murry
An American member of Rissho Kosei-kai addressed the anniversary celebration of Shakyamuni’s attaining of supreme enlightenment held at the Los Angeles branch on December 7, 2003. He described the many changes in his life for the better brought about by his introduction to Buddhism.
Mike Murry is a member of Rissho Kosei-kai of Los Angeles.
Gotama Buddha (66)
The Last Words of the Tathagata by Hajime Nakamura
According to the Buddha’s final utterance, the purpose of Buddhism is twofold: to realize the impermanence of all things and to devote oneself to religious training.
The late Dr. Hajime Nakamura, an authority on Indian philosophy, was president of the Eastern Institute in Tokyo and a professor emeritus of the University of Tokyo at the time of his death in October 1999. This ongoing series is a translation of Gotama Buddha, vol. 2 (Tokyo: Shunjusha, 1992).
The Threefold Lotus Sutra: A Modern Commentary (76)
The Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law
Chapter 7: The Parable of the Magic City (7) by Nikkyo Niwano
This is the seventy-sixth installment of a detailed commentary on the Threefold Lotus Sutra by the late founder of Rissho Kosei-kai, Rev. Nikkyo Niwano.
