Nine students and two professors from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, led by Dr. Stephen Covell, visited Rissho Kosei-kai's headquarters in Tokyo on June 5. They came to learn more about the religious situation in Japan. Dr. Covell, a researcher in comparative religion, has a profound knowledge of Buddhism. He has attended Rissho Kosei-kai's annual International Lotus Sutra Seminars and is well acquainted with Rissho Kosei-kai. It was the fifth time for him to bring a group of his students to Rissho Kosei-kai's headquarters.

In Taisei Hall, an annex of the Great Sacred Hall, the visitors watched a video on Rissho Kosei-kai's history, teachings, and activities. Rev. Keiichi Akagawa, head of the External Affairs Group (Interfaith), then explained the organization's work for peace. In the following question-and-answer session, the students asked about various aspects of Rissho Kosei-kai, including its interpretation of the Buddha's teachings on liberation from suffering, its specific goals, and its cultivation of religious sentiments among students at Kosei Junior High and High School. When asked how Rissho Kosei-kai members benefit from the organization's interreligious dialogue and cooperation, Rev. Akagawa said that the activities and spiritual exchanges arising from interreligious cooperation strengthen members' devotion and have contributed to the development of new programs for exchanges with people of other faiths.

Rissho Kosei-kai staff members then gave the group a tour of the Great Sacred Hall and the Precious Stupa of the One Vehicle.

[back to News Archive]