May–June 2005, Volume 32
Rissho Kosei-kai Celebrates 67th Anniversary
From the Advisor’s Desk
Reflections on the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Donate-a-Meal Campaign
by Kinjiro Niwano
Essays
Healing Our Suffering World
by Cheng Yen
A Taiwanese Buddhist nun who established a compassion relief foundation nearly four decades ago has seen it grow into a worldwide volunteer organization that assists victims of disasters like the earthquake and tsunami in South Asia last December.
Karma and Character: Fatalism or Free Will?
by I. Loganathan
The Buddha found that the theory of karma was often confused with fatalism, but he turned the message of despair into one of hope. He encourages the sinner to realize that it is never too late to mend.
The Emerging Euroyana
by Michael Fuss
As Buddhism gains widening acceptance as a European religion, new questions are raised about whether its presence will be lasting, and about the resulting dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church.
The Real Purpose of Prayer
by Kinzo Takemura
It might be wise when we pray to recognize that we may be treating the Buddha as a mere means to attain our own desires.
Reflections
The Benefits of Hoza Counseling Sessions
by Nichiko Niwano
Anxiety over human relationships is the main source of stress among people in the workplace and the community as a whole. In an attempt to alleviate that stress, companies and schools often have professional counselors available, and more and more people are seeking their help. We seem to have lost the knack for human relationships.
The Precept Against Killing and Acting Against Violence
by Nikkyo Niwano
The Stories of the Lotus Sutra
The Parable of the Good Physician
by Gene Reeves
The heart of the second half of the Lotus Sutra contains a parable about a wise physician who used skillful means to heal his poisoned children. We are those sick children, and the Buddha is the wise father who uses every means available to save us. We must learn not only how to see the Buddha in others, but also how to let others see the Buddha in us.
Buddhist Living
The Dharma Taught Me Self-Reliance and Equality
by Pradeep Saksena
An Indian travel agent describes how his curiosity about Japanese Buddhism led to his visiting Tokyo and discovering the bodhisattva practice of Rissho Kosei-kai.
The Buddha’s Teachings Save the Children
The mother of an elementary-school boy who was then nine years old describes her personal experience with one of his classmates who was seen as the main cause of the chaos that was disrupting school for everyone.
Gotama Buddha (72)
Venerated as a Human Being
by Hajime Nakamura
Early Buddhists looked up to Sakyamuni as a great teacher who had been able to control his own passions. He exemplified the ideal of human existence.
