by Masuo Nezu

These are personal reminiscences about the late founder Rev. Nikkyo Niwano from his former chief secretary, Masuo Nezu, now in retirement. During his years of service, the writer accompanied Rev. Niwano on dissemination tours, interreligious cooperation activities, and peace promotion work, both in Japan and overseas. This series recalls not only heartwarming episodes from the founder's everyday life, but also the spiritual insights derived from his words and deeds.

22

Having a Long-range Vision--
Meetings with Sir John Templeton

In April 1979, Founder Niwano, with his wife, Naoko, flew to London to receive the 1979 Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion. At Heathrow Airport they were welcomed by the Rev. Dr. Wilbert Forker, executive vice president of the foundation and taken to Claridge's hotel in London's West End.

On April 9, 1979, when Rev. Nikkyo Niwano was in London to receive the Templeton Foundation Prize, he enjoyed a chat with Mr. John M. Templeton (left) in his room at Claridge's hotel.

On the following day, Mr. John M. Templeton, the founder of the foundation, and his wife, Irene, who were staying at the same hotel visited Rev. and Mrs. Niwano's room to greet them. Although it was their the first meeting, they enjoyed a friendly chat. Later, the Niwanos made a return visit to Mr. and Mrs. Templeton's room.

Seven days of official events began after this. Between the private award ceremony at Windsor Castle and the public ceremony in London's historic Guildhall, there was a press conference attended by journalists from many countries. Mr. Templeton was also present, and remained sitting quietly to the side throughout the event, listening attentively to the questions and answers.

Perhaps he had read a good deal about Rev. Niwano during the screening for the prize recipient, and after Founder Niwano's arrival he spoke several times with him, so he should have known quite a bit about him. Still, he was very eager to learn more about the founder of Rissho Kosei-kai.

Mr. Templeton, who had achieved great success as an American investment counselor and financial analyst, had long pondered the role of religion in the twentieth century as a pious Christian. The more success he achieved in the financial field, the more he recognized the importance of developing the religious and spiritual element. He felt that while Nobel Prizes are awarded to people who have made remarkable contributions in fields such as physics, chemistry, economics, medical science, and literature, there was no prize for significant, lasting contributions in the field of religion. He wanted to honor such contributions and established the Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion in 1972 for that purpose.

The award to Rev. Niwano honored his remarkable contribution to "the promotion of peace activities through interreligious cooperation." Rev. Niwano thus became the first Buddhist recipient of the prize.