July 2011

Rissho Kosei-kai Overseas Leaders Attend Training Sessions in Tokyo

Rissho Kosei-kai International held sessions of Dharma Training for Leaders July 11-23 at the organization's headquarters in Tokyo. The ongoing program offers two-week sessions in two successive summers to deepen overseas leaders' understanding of Buddhism and the teachings and activities of Rissho Kosei-kai for further dissemination to relieve human suffering and contribute to world peace.

This year 33 leaders from Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and the United States took part. For a half of them, it was their second session, and for the other half, their first. On July 11 they heard a special lecture by Rev. Yasutaka Watanabe, chair of Rissho Kosei-kai's Board of Trustees. He said the acronym LEADER, standing for listening, empathy, affection, dedication, education, and respect, sums up the necessary qualities for leading dissemination of the Dharma. He emphasized the importance of listening to others, humbly learning from them, and paying reverence to their buddha-nature. He also explained how leaders should interpret the things around them. For instance, he said, they should credit their joys and successes to others' help; when they fail or are disappointed, they should reflect on themselves instead of blaming others.

The overseas leaders participated in seminars on the Lotus Sutra and hoza sessions at the headquarters and the Founder's Birthplace Center in Suganuma in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture. They also underwent training at Dharma centers in Tokyo.

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