March 2009

Rissho Kosei-kai of Bangladesh Holds First Gathering of Youth Members

On March 27, Rissho Kosei-kai of Bangladesh youth members gathered for the first time at the Chittagong Centre of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh. They welcomed as guests of honor Rev. Koichi Matsumoto, director of Rissho Kosei-kai's Youth Department, and Rev. Teruo Saito, director of its South Asia Division, from the organization's Tokyo headquarters, as well as Rev. Shiufang Chian, head of Rissho Kosei-kai of Taipei and Rev. Yasuhiro Hasegawa, head of the Thai Rissho Friendship Foundation in Bangkok. Some 19 young members from other countries in the region, including Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal, also attended as observers.

At the gathering, a performance by a 27-member youth chorus was followed by folk dancing by Rakahing tribal student members from neighboring Myanmar. Then a young woman member of the Cox's Bazar chapter testified to her faith, and Rev. Matsumoto gave a talk on sutra recitation and the bodhisattva practice of donation. He explained that chanting the sutra is no less valuable than uttering the "right speech" of the Eightfold Path, another fundamental Buddhist teaching. He said sutra recitation helps people purify their hearts and cultivate a sense of gratitude for everything around them. Rev. Saito emphasized that all young people should deepen their awareness of their mission as bodhisattvas to make this century an era of world peace. He urged everyone to adopt the kind of modesty that puts others first.

March 27, 2009

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