January–March 2007, Volume 34
Features
Buddhism and Social Responsibility: Bodhisattva Practice Today
The Buddha Encouraged His Disciples to Spread the Teaching
by Norio Sakai
Buddhism is commonly understood as a religion that teaches us how to gain deliverance from delusions and suffering and to attain enlightenment. Of course, this is one of Buddhism’s aims. However, I think it would be a grievous error to assume that it is its only aim. . . .
The Three Institutional Poisons: Challenging Collective Greed, Ill Will, and Delusion
by David R. Loy
Many of our social problems can be traced back to a group ego when we identify with our own gender, race, nation, religion, and so on.
Mount Sinai and Mount Fuji: The American Jewish Fascination with Buddhism
by Harold Kasimow
The Japanese and the Buddhist Home Altar
by Kokan Sasaki
It was the grandparents who were most responsible for the culture surrounding the family altar. With the increase in the number of nuclear families, who is looking after the altar and how is it prospering?
Engaged Lotus Buddhism in Medieval Japan
by Lucia Dolce
The influence of Nichiren’s reading of the Lotus Sutra reached far beyond his lifetime, and in later ages his Buddhism would be taken as a model for active participation in religious, social, and political life.
Rissho Kosei-kai’s Social Contribution: Bodhisattva Practice Today
by Masahiro Nemoto
The role played by lay religious movements is valuable, in that they offer people a way to avoid being caught up in the current prejudices about religion.
Backburner Zen at Mount Equity Zendo
by Jacqueline Ruyak
Located in a tiny old Quaker settlement in Pennsylvania, this American Buddhist center is attracting increasing interest with monthly weekend retreats for adults and Dharma School for children.
Japanese Buddhist Folktales
Dialogue
Protecting the Dignity of Every Human Being
by Representatives of Rabbis for Human Rights and Nichiko Niwano
The 23rd Niwano Peace Prize was awarded last year to Rabbis for Human Rights, an Israeli group of ordained rabbis and rabbinical students working to defend the rights of both Jews and Palestinians. In May 2006, three representatives of the group, Rabbi Arik Ascherman, executive director, Rabbi Ma’ayan Turner, chairperson, and Rabbi Yehiel Grenimann, treasurer, exchanged views on the sanctity of all human beings in a commemorative dialogue with Rev. Nichiko Niwano, president of the Niwano Peace Foundation.
The Stories of the Lotus Sutra
Universal Sage
by Gene Reeves
In chapter 28 of the Lotus Sutra, Universal Sage Bodhisattva promises that if anyone accepts and upholds the Lotus Sutra he will come to that person, mounted on a white elephant with six tusks.
Essays
The Buddha’s Path: Between Otherworldliness and Presence
by Notto R. Thelle
As we hear the voices of life’s suffering and pain, the vision of unity and interconnectedness expands to become a solidarity that breaks through all barriers to embrace all that suffers.
Conference Report
The Lotus Sutra and Lay Buddhist Movements
by Daniel Friedrich
The eleventh International Lotus Sutra Seminar was held in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, June 26–29, 2006. The theme of the conference was “The Lotus Sutra and Lay Buddhist Movements: Past and Present.” The Lotus Sutra, as is well known, has had an incredibly vast influence upon Buddhism in East Asia, and the papers presented and the ensuing conversation reflected the great number of ways in which the Lotus Sutra has been understood in East Asia. Given this tremendous diversity, an extended overview of the papers and discussions would be ideal. . . .
Reflections
The Realm of the One Buddha Vehicle
by Nikkyo Niwano
This essay is part of a continuing series of translations from a volume of inspirational writings by the late founder of Rissho Kosei-kai. Dharma World will continue to publish these essays because of their lasting value as guidance for the practice of one’s daily faith.
