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The theme of this General Conference is “Compassion in Action: Creating Hope and Life
in Death”.

There are two great pillars of the Buddhist teachings: ‘Wisdom’ and ‘Compassion’.
The teaching of “interconnection”, which is that “All things exist and are utilized through
relationship”, authoritatively underlies both teachings. There is a direct connection with this
and “Mutual Respect”. This is a very important teaching.
I believe that to spread “Compassion in Action” throughout the world is certainly the only
path to overcome the confusion into which the world has fallen.

It is necessary for us to convey widely the message that forcing one’s point of view and
values on others is foolish, and to express the importance of recognizing the differences of values,
traditions, and cultures.
Let us send a message to the world that to establish a society of compassion and harmony
with all people happily helping and supporting each other, it is necessary to break down barriers
of selfishness such as “All I care about is myself and that’s it”.

On a personal note, throughout my life, I have relied on the words “I encounter a person”
(Gahōjin). These are the emotional words of Zen Master Dōgen, the founder of Sōtō Zen
Buddhism in Japan, when he finally met his true teacher, Zen Master Nyojō, Zen Master Dōgen
went to China with great difficulty when he was young to seek a true master.
Life brings endless encounters with people; each single encounter is precious. We are able
to rephrase these encounters as “interconnections”. Everything exists through the function of
“interconnection”.
I sincerely wish from the bottom of my heart that “Compassion in Action” based on
“interconnection” will spread all over the world b making a big circle.

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RECORD OF PROCEEDING | THE 29 GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE WFB
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