Japan Press Weekly

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2008 February 6 - 12 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Japan’s major Buddhist sect launches Article 9 Association

Japan’s Buddhist Shinshu Otani-ha sect on February 9 held an inaugural meeting of its Article 9 Association (A9A) at its Higashi Honganji temple in Kyoto with about 300 people attending.

The Buddhist sect in 1995 adopted a “no-war resolution” repenting of its past cooperation in Japan’s war of aggression. It also expressed determination to spare no effort to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies by going back and reviewing its past sin of cooperation in the war of aggression and to walk hand in hand with all people for peace.

In 2005 it adopted another resolution expressing opposition to constitutional revision.

The sect said that it established its A9A after reaffirming its obligation to show that its devotion to a Buddhist invocation in the Original Vow of Amida Buddha.

Ikeda Yutai, former president of Doho University, said that the establishment of the A9A represents an act of individuals who have adopted Shinshu.

Former President of Otani University Hirose Takashi said, “I will reflect on the meaning of Article 9 of the Constitution, which is, in short, the renunciation of war.”

Former President of Ryukoku University Shigaraki Takamaro spoke in solidarity on behalf of the Article 9 Association consisting of Buddhists of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha (Nishi Honganji temple) sect.