by Masuo Nezu

Prior to the ceremony, the founder said, "This award, as I understand it, also includes my colleagues in the World Conference on Religion and Peace, who devote themselves to religious cooperation for peace, as well as to all of my fellow members of Rissho Kosei-kai who support my efforts from behind the scenes. I will receive the prize as the representative of all of them."

On August 28, 1979, during the busy schedule for the third assembly of the WCRP convened at Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey, Rev. Niwano presented a gift to Mr. Templeton (left) and renewed his old friendship with him.

At the private ceremony in Windsor Castle, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, said, "I am very happy to be able to present the seventh Templeton Prize for the first time to a Buddhist." And he extended his hand to Rev. Niwano and congratulated him. Mr. Templeton, who was present, happily nodded in agreement.

Ten years passed, a decade during which Mr. Templeton was knighted by Queen Elizabeth and became "Sir John." In 1989, Rissho Kosei-kai was asked by the Templeton Foundation to host a public ceremony for the awarding of the foundation prize in Fumon Hall at the organization's Tokyo headquarters. The foundation wished to hold the ceremony in a different country, alternating with England, every two years. There were two prize recipients that year, a German physicist, Dr. Carl von Weizsaecker, and a Scottish Protestant minister, the Very Rev. Lord MacLeod. The ceremony was held in June. Their acceptance addresses were delivered to very large audience from several nations, among whom were diplomats, religious leaders, scholars, and important figures from the business world. Sir John and Lady Templeton visited Rissho Kosei-kai headquarters for the first time.

Among the various activities that took place at that time was a tour by the representatives of the Templeton Foundation of the main facilities of Rissho Kosei-kai. In the corridor of the main hall of Horin-kaku guest hall is a painting of the modest, thatch-roofed farmhouse that was the birthplace of Rev. Niwano. In front of that picture, I explained to the visitors, "Founder Niwano was born in this house, and now, as you have seen, he is working globally." The members of the party seemed to better understand what Rev. Niwano had accomplished in his life through this than through any detailed description.

The guests continued their tour in a large bus, visiting the Great Sacred Hall, the Kosei-Gakuen Boys' Junior and Senior High Schools, the birthplace of Rissho Kosei-kai, the Gyogaku-en (library and seminary), Kosei Publishing Company, Kosei Advanced Nursing School, Kosei General Hospital, and the Second Group Pilgrimage Hall. After viewing these facilities, Sir John expressed his impression with feeling: "For Rev. Niwano to have achieved so much in his lifetime is truly remarkable. He must be a man with a long-range vision." Sir John also achieved a great deal, in his case in business, and established the award that became popularly known as the "Nobel Prize in religion." According to an old Japanese proverb, one great man can understand another great man. Sir John's comment was impressive.

After the Templetons returned home, Sir John sent a cordial personal letter of thanks to Rev. Niwano.

This series of articles was originally published in Japanese in 2000 under the title Kaiso Zuimonki: Egao no Ushirosugata.