The International Buddhist Congregation of Rissho Kosei-kai (IBC), established in 2001 in Suginami, Tokyo, is an innovative Buddhist community dedicated to sharing the teachings of the Lotus Sutra with English-speaking foreign residents in Japan.
We deeply appreciate that people of diverse backgrounds from around the world have chosen Japan as a place to pursue their work or studies, where they are diligently living their lives amid a language, culture, and customs different from their own. IBC welcomes foreign residents of Japan with gratitude and respect. We wish to be a “spiritual oasis” where sojourners can rest and feel at ease. Furthermore, we hope that their stay in Japan will become an opportunity to encounter the supreme treasure of the Buddha Dharma, especially the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, and to discover true happiness and purpose in life.
We hold English-speaking Sangha gatherings and events every weekend, both in-person and online. Together, we focus our minds on the miracle of the present moment through meditation and contemplative prayer. We also learn the Buddha’s teachings and strive to embody the ethos of Nikkyo Niwano, the founder of Rissho Kosei-kai, and Rev. Nichiko Niwano, our current president. We cherish this wisdom by putting it into practice in our daily lives and sharing the insights and lessons gained from our reflections with one another.
IBC also holds special events several times a year. In April, we host the International Flower Festival to celebrate the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha. This celebration includes offerings of flowers to an image of the “baby Buddha” and taking refuge in the Three Treasures—the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha—by learning the traditional Pali expression, a practice that unites Buddhists around the world. In “hoza” discussion circle afterward, we explore what the Buddha’s birth means to us and the gratitude it evokes. And during the summer, we hold our Bon Festival Gathering, a traditional Japanese celebration where we remember our connection to our ancestors. Participants join in a “Bon Odori” dance circle with hearts of gratitude for life. In addition to these festivals, we also host various events, including temple and museum tours, a book club, and “movie nights” to learn about Buddhism through film.
We are currently reaching out to Vietnamese and Bangladeshi Buddhist residents in Japan, with the goal of becoming a multilingual Buddhist community for foreign residents of Japan.
We warmly welcome foreign residents in Japan to get in touch with us. We hope you’ll join us to experience the wisdom of the Lotus Sutra together.
And if you’re planning a trip to Japan, we’d be delighted if you could participate in one of our activities while you’re here.
For details, please visit our website: https://ibc-rk.org
