July 2009
Rissho Kosei-kai Board Chair Attends Unitarian General Assembly
From June 23 to July 2, Rev. Yasutaka Watanabe, chair of the Rissho Kosei-kai's board of trustees, visited the United States and was present as an international guest at the 48th annual General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) held June 24-28 at a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rev. Shoko Mizutani, director of Rissho Kosei-kai International of North America (RKINA), and Rev. Masamichi Kamiya, minister of Rissho Kosei-kai of New York, also attended. This year some 3,500 UUA members from throughout the United States participated. Among other things, the assembly announced the results of the election of the next UUA president.At the plenary session on June 26, Rev. Watanabe gave a congratulatory address, in which he spoke about the relationship between the UUA and Rissho Kosei-kai based on the longtime friendship and trust between Dr. Dana McLean Greeley, UUA's first president, and Rev. Nikkyo Niwano, the founder of Rissho Kosei-kai, as well as their promotion of world peace through interreligious dialogue and cooperation, resulting in the establishment of the World Conference of Religions for Peace. He also spoke of the significance of the "Fourth Summit of Religious Leaders on the occasion of the G8 summit," held in Rome, and emphasized the importance of religious and political leaders working together, like the two wheels of a chariot, for world peace and human happiness. Furthermore, he said that a spirit of living in harmony with others is part of the religious wisdom that can raise awareness of the dignity of human life.
On June 27 Rev. Watanabe addressed some 60 assembly participants in a workshop on the theme "A Theology of International Engagement." While speaking about the significance of promoting the spirit of the One Vehicle as taught in the Lotus Sutra and also of Rissho Kosei-kai's work for world peace based on the One Vehicle, Rev. Watanabe emphasized the importance of working out the problems the world is facing today in the light of the values shared by the world's religions.
In Salt Lake City Rev. Watanabe also had a talk with Rev. William Sinkford, the UUA's outgoing president, and met its new president, Rev. Peter Morales. Rev. Watanabe and Rev. Morales confirmed the importance of furthering the cordial relationship between their two organizations. Rev. Watanabe also underwrote a new program of internships between the two organizations.
From Salt Lake City Rev. Watanabe traveled to Oklahoma City and Los Angeles to visit the Rissho Kosei-kai Dharma Centers there. In both places he joined in hoza sessions, heard religious testimonies, and gave guidance on daily practice of the teachings. In Los Angeles he toured the RKINA Buddhist Center near the Irvine campus of the University of California. Staff members of the Buddhist Center briefed him on its current activities. He also paid a courtesy call on Dr. Manuel N. Gómez, UC Irvines's vice chancellor for student affairs.
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