May 2010

American University Students Visit Rissho Kosei-kai

Nine students from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, led by Dr. Stephen Covell, the university's Mary Meader professor of comparative religion, visited Rissho Kosei-kai headquarters in Tokyo on May 27. It was the fourth time for Dr. Covell to bring a group of his students to the headquarters.

Members of Rissho Kosei-kai's Language Service guided them on a tour of the headquarters complex, including the Great Sacred Hall and the Precious Stupa of the One Vehicle. Later, in the administration building, they were welcomed by officers of Rissho Kosei-kai.

Rev. Takeshi Kawabata, director of the General Affairs Bureau, and Rev. Keiichi Akagawa, head of the External Affairs Group (Interfaith), took questions from the students. They explained the concept of the gods and buddhas and said Rissho Kosei-kai, as a Buddhist organization, has direct lineage to Shakyamuni Buddha. They said Rissho Kosei-kai has cooperated with other world religious organizations in supporting the Arms Down! Campaign for Shared Security, which calls on each nation to cut its military expenditures by 10 percent and divert the money saved for the achievement of UN Millennium Development Goals for ending poverty by 2015.

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