(At Ryuganji Temple, the head priest writes a monthly Buddhist column on the bulletin board in front of the gate. This is the column for July 2025.)
Ryuganji Temple and Diversity
This month, I have been given several opportunities to speak on the topic of “diversity.”
As symbolized by the Japanese proverb, “If one stake is higher than another, hit it with a hammer,” there is a tendency in traditional Japanese society to discourage the display of individuality rather than respect diversity.
However, Ryuganji Temple has been able to collaborate with a truly diverse range of fields, from using drones and other technology to embracing pop culture such as idols and maid cafes.
It is probably in recognition of this situation that I have received “diversity” as the theme of my lecture.
The Limits of Human Criteria
It is often believed that Ryukanji Temple’s diverse and innovative content is due to the taste of its abbot. To clear up this misconception, I would like to say that I myself am neither an idol geek nor a frequent visitor to maid cafes.
In fact, I am not interested in either idols or maids.
So, why would I dare to collaborate with a field in which I have no interest?
It is because I am rooted in the Buddhist view of the world, which holds that “human beings are creatures with worldly desires.
We humans tend to judge others based on our own righteousness, but in reality, it is only a judgment made with an impure mind. It is impossible for us to make completely accurate judgments.
So when a university student came to Ryuganji and said, “I want to form an idol group here at the temple,” I was both surprised and perplexed, but I stopped measuring her by my own standards and accepted her proposal.
Awareness of being a fool
Therefore, the “diversity” of Ryuganji Temple is not influenced by the recent trend that we should respect the values of others, but is based on Buddhist introspection that I myself am a fool. This introspection motivates us to respect others, even those with different values.
You may think that it is not good for your mental health if you view yourself too negatively, but there is nothing wrong with that. The teaching of the Jodo Sect says that even if we are fools, the light of Buddha will embrace us all with kindness, just as the sun and the moon illuminate every corner of the world.
No comments yet.