May 2010

Rissho Kosei-kai International of North America Holds Symposium on Religion and Peace

Rissho Kosei-kai International of North America (RKINA) hosted a Symposium on Religion and Peace 2010 on May 13 under the theme "Global Militarization - Religions' Response," at the Student Center of the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Some 100 people, including students of UCI and members of the Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Church of Los Angeles, participated. Five panelists made presentations, which were followed by question-and-answer sessions with the audience. The panelists were Rev. Shoko Mizutani, director of RKINA; Dr. Eric Smith, lead pastor of the University United Methodist Church of Irvine; Professor Jack Miles, distinguished professor of English and religious studies, the English School of Humanities, UCI; Dr. William F. Vendley, secretary-general of the World Conference of Religions for Peace; and Ms. Katerina Ragoussi, associate director of Youth and Network Coordination of Religions for Peace.

Professor Miles, winner of the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography, delivered opening remarks titled "Self-Defense and Defense Against the Self," calling attention to the need of mindfulness in tackling global problems. Dr. Smith and Rev. Mizutani elaborated on the roles of religion for the promotion of global peace based on their respective religious teachings. Rev. Mizutani explained Buddhist approaches to global peace and the Buddhist law of dependent origination, and reported on Rissho Kosei-kai's involvement in the Donate-a-Meal Movement.

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