Professor Imanishi Junkichi
Chairman of the Board of Executives,
President
|
The International College for Postgraduate Buddhist Studies (ICPBS) was founded in 1996 with Professor Dr Akira Hirakawa as its first Chairman of the Board of Executives. The origins of the College go, however, earlier back in time to 1976 when the Reiyukai Library was established. The rich collection of Buddhist materials collected by the Library served as the basis of the International Institute for Buddhist Studies which was inaugurated in 1982 and actively prompted academic exchanges with a large number of world famous institutions and scholars. The College was established with the aim of further developing the research activities and of training new generations of Buddhist scholars.
The ICPBS is a postgraduate college consisting in only one department specialising in Buddhist studies. In size, we are one of the smallest academic institutions of its kind in the world, but we strive to achieve high goals in our mission of education and research.
Buddhism originated in Ancient India and spread all throughout Asia leaving a far-reaching and lasting impact on the entire culture of the region. Its profound and penetrating outlook on man and the world has been the foundation of an incredible creative spirit which has continued to produce manifold scriptures and philosophical treatises as well as subtle doctrinal systems. Whether in India or in any other lands where it took root, Buddhism has never rejected the pre-existing societies and cultures. Instead it became a force which strongly supported them from within.
The study of Buddhism, in all its numerous facets, from India and Sri Lanka to Central and East Asia represents an important contribution to the understanding of a large part of human history. It is true that long decades of modern research into Buddhism have shed light on many pages of this history. There remain, however, countless texts and aspects which still await elucidation. One cannot stress enough the deep significance of the rigorous philological research of these texts as well as the clarification of the complex historical development of Buddhism which future research will reveal.
Recent years have brought a remarkable increase in the ease with which people all over the world can interact. More than ever in human history different cultures and religions come into contact with each other. This, however, is not always a salutary development, and sadly, as we all know, all too often these contacts turn into violent clashes. The globalisation of the manufacturing and financial markets has recently wrought havoc on economies worldwide. At a deeper level, the scientific development, best reflected in such areas as research on elementary particles, DNA, stem cells, etc., has dramatically increased our knowledge of the structure and origin of the Universe and Mankind. Furthermore, the linkage between science and technology has made it possible to exert an unimaginably profound influence upon man and the world. A drama is unfolding right before our eyes, a drama in which equipment handled by humans can perform God-like acts that seem to bring life and matter under our control.
How can mankind deal with these new developments and problems which are confronting us? This depends on the way we apply the knowledge and wisdom accumulated by humankind to the best use. If we examine carefully the nature and history of these problems, it is crystal-clear that role which Buddhism can and should play is far from minor. There is no exaggeration in saying that the study of Buddhism has never been more imperative than in our days.
The small number of students in our College is actually one of our greatest educational assets since professors can concentrate much of their time on individual tutoring. This becomes especially important in helping and guiding the students’ efforts to write their MA and PhD theses. Furthermore, every week throughout the academic year we hold a common seminar in which professors and students alike participate and present the recent results of their research. We also regularly invite to the seminar lecturers from other academic institutions from all over Japan. We believe this to be a unique opportunity not only to stimulate each other but to gain and deepen our knowledge in many areas of Buddhist studies and related fields. The visiting professors and guest researchers from abroad, whom we invite every year, further provide fresh stimuli for both our students and faculty. Last but not least, we regularly host public lectures offered by foreign scholars visiting Japan. All these promote a dynamic and stimulating environment set in an international atmosphere of free exchange of information and ideas.
Amongst the research projects conducted at our College one of them deserves special mention. This is the Academic Frontier Project of Research into Old Buddhist Manuscripts of the Nara and Heian Periods, partly sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The members of the research team have surveyed, gathered, and studied an impressive number of manuscripts, many of them rare or previously unknown. Most of the data is stored in our digital archives, and a number of our students have used these extraordinary sources for their doctoral theses.
In 2010, our College will relocate to a new address in central Tokyo. We shall enjoy much larger and upgraded facilities, which, we hope, will contribute to new achievements in our education and research goals.
|
