June 2010

Rissho Kosei-kai and Won Buddhism Hold Study Session

Nine senior officers of Won Buddhism in South Korea visited Rissho Kosei-kai headquarters in Tokyo June 22-26 for a study session with senior Rissho Kosei-kai officials. The Won Buddhist group was headed by Rev. Kim Dae-seon, director of the organization's Department of Cultural and Social Affairs. The Rissho Kosei-kai officials included deputy directors at the headquarters in charge of the sections responsible for implementation of various projects.

The session's purpose was to encourage staff of the two organizations to interact and learn about the administration and social service programs of each other's organizations. The topics they discussed included the training of staff, maintaining archives, and relations with the media.

The Koreans toured the Great Sacred Hall on the morning of June 23 and then met with Rev. Yasutaka Watanabe, chair of Rissho Kosei-kai's board of trustees, in the headquarters administration building.

In his greetings, Rev. Watanabe described the longstanding friendly interaction between Rissho Kosei-kai members and Won Buddhists in South Korea. He thanked Won Buddhists for their support and cooperation for various exchange programs between the two organizations. He also thanked them for their continuing support of the peace activities of undergraduate members of Rissho Kosei-kai. Since 2007 Rissho Kosei-kai's Youth Department has sponsored study tours by Japanese college students to South Korea as part of its annual peace program. In conclusion, Rev. Watanabe said, "We want to learn a lot from you."

In Shizuoka Prefecture, the Koreans also visited the Shizuoka Dharma Center of Rissho Kosei-kai on June 26 and the Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple Seikenji on June 27. During the Edo period (1603-1868), Joseon Dynasty Korean envoys stayed at that temple.

[back to News Archive]