Photo/Illutration Gijun Sugitani, the head of Myohoin temple, poses for a photograph in Kyoto on July 4. (Yoshiaki Arai)

The newly appointed president of the Japanese branch of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) is calling for combined efforts between faiths to create a more peaceful world.

Gijun Sugitani, 81, a Buddhist monk, attended a ceremony at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on July 10 alongside international leaders in Christianity, Islam, Judaism and other religions.

They signed a proposal about ethical matters regarding artificial intelligence.

The WCRP brings together religious leaders from different faiths to engage in dialogue and work for peace.

Sugitani became head of WCRP Japan in June after being hand-picked by Nichiko Niwano, president of the Buddhist group Rissho Kosei Kai. Niwano had served as head of WCRP Japan for 12 years.

“I will encourage various religions to respect and listen to each other’s opinions to create a more effective impact,” Sugitani said.

Sugitani is head of Myohoin temple in Kyoto, one of the five prestigious temples of the Tendai sect of Buddhism. He is a leading figure in Buddhist circles, having served as the Tendai sect’s secretary-general of religious affairs and Taisho University’s chairman.

In 1965, while Vietnam was still divided into North and South, Sugitani traveled to South Vietnam as head of a young Buddhists’ council for college students. This experience was Sugitani’s first step on his lengthy journey as a peace advocate.

“When we start talking about which party is correct and represents justice, it can sometimes lead people to make mistakes in their pursuit of justice,” he said.

Sugitani grounds his policy on the teachings of Saicho (767-822), the founder of the Tendai sect, who said that the “ultimate form of mercy is to forget one’s own affairs and benefit others.”

In 1987, Sugitani worked as secretary-general of the first summit meeting of religious leaders from 16 nations at Hieizan Enryakuji, the head temple of the Tendai sect.

Sugitani said he has friends all over the world, regardless of sect and religion.

“In Buddhism, we are taught to cherish our connections,” he said. “The significance lies in dialogue. Discussing one another’s good and bad points helps people from different sides to understand and to trust one another.” 

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