After participating in the Youth Conference hosted by the Youth Group of Rissho Kosei-kai of Bangladesh, President-designate Kosho Niwano paid her respects at the Cox's Bazar hoza center of Rissho Kosei-kai of Bangladesh on the evening of February 4. At a reception for her, she heard a member testify to his joy at becoming a Rissho Kosei-kai member.

On the morning of the 6th, the president-designate visited the Dhaka hoza center and greeted the approximately 20 members who welcomed her there. She said the Youth Conference had given her strength and that she hoped all Rissho Kosei-kai members would become people who contribute to human happiness.

That afternoon she flew to Bangkok, Thailand, where she visited Rissho Kosei-kai of Bangkok, paying homage to its focus of devotion, and Rissho Kosei-kai International of South Asia (RKISA), which is adjacent to Rissho Kosei-kai of Bangkok. There are about 150 Rissho Kosei-kai members in Bangkok. At RKISA the president-designate attended a party given in her honor by local members in Zenyu (Good Friends) Hall. The other guests included eight representative members of the Focolare Movement in Bangkok. The Focolare is a worldwide lay Catholic movement based near Rome.

The party began with greetings from Rev. Yasuhiro Hasegawa, director of RKISA. He said he hoped Rissho Kosei-kai members would deepen their Dharma friendships with one another and extend their circle of friendship worldwide.

President-designate Niwano expressed her hopes, and said that the Youth Conference in Bangladesh had affirmed her belief that people who find peace of mind through religious faith can then contribute to world peace.

[back to News Archive]