October–December 2006, Volume 33
Features
Buddhism in Dialogue
The Obligations of Religions in the Twenty-first Century
by Yasutaka Watanabe
From Disagreements to Dialogue and Understanding
by Yasuaki Nara
From his own wide range of experience, the author has become convinced that meaningful dialogue can help to bring about mutual understanding, compassion, and self-reform.
Buddhism in Dialogue: Without Suspicion and Fear
by Gerhard Koeberlin
Recent examples of dialogue in action in Germany have involved Muslims and Buddhists there acting on their common environmental responsibility, especially involving climatic change.
We’re All Together on the Alluvial Plain: Anecdotal Accounts of the Necessity for, and Challenges to, Interreligious Dialogue
by Kenneth K. Tanaka
Our world seems to have become closer and smaller with technological advancements in communication and transportation, a state aptly described by the well-known phrase “global village.” The Internet, for example, enables us to be in touch with people everywhere, exchanging large amounts of information quickly and inexpensively. More people around the globe are traveling greater distances more frequently. . . .
Buddhist-Islamic Dialogue: Present Status and Future Outlook
by Yoshiaki Sanada
True interreligious dialogue does not mean people of different faiths merely tolerating or coexisting with one another. Even less does it mean simple exchanges of information or simple insistence on one’s own point of view.
“To Forget the Self and to Serve Others”
by Stephen Covell
In the modern period, the priesthood and institutions of Temple Buddhism have been challenged to recreate or reinvigorate Buddhist practice. One avenue pursued has been to engage society through such means as interfaith dialogue. Ven. Etai Yamada (1895–1994), the 253rd head priest (zasu) of the Tendai sect, played an instrumental role in addressing this challenge. . . .
Notes from Nerima: Putting Interfaith Dialogue into Practice
by Kotaro Suzuki
Members of a local Rissho Kosei-kai branch in Tokyo have become actively involved in meaningful interreligious dialogue with representatives of other faiths who are also their neighbors.
Faith in Art
American Muslim Diversity Seen as a Sign of Hope
by Jacqueline Ruyak
An Indian-born artist, now living in the U.S., overcomes a birth defect to achieve success as a producer of multicultural greeting cards.
Essays
The Death and Resurrection of Our Words
by Notto R. Thelle
It is said that the Buddha proclaimed his teaching for fifty years but never said one single word. When words crumble away, we can find the silence wherein God’s mystery is vibrantly alive.
Why Rules Are Important
by Kinzo Takemura
Another meaning for “rule” is good habits. Bad lifestyle habits can have unexpectedly serious results.
The Stories of the Lotus Sutra
The Family of King Wonderfully Adorned
by Gene Reeves
Sometimes it is the children who, in a reversal of the usual role, are able to lead a parent to the truth.
Reflections
Helping One Another
by Nichiko Niwano
Although we take our daily lives for granted, we owe a great debt of gratitude to many people and things, and to all of nature.
