IOP 39th Annual Academic Conference: "Dialogue between Islam and Buddhism"

　

 

 

The Institute of Oriental Philosophy (IOP) held its 39th Annual Academic Conference on May 31 and June 1, 2025, at Soka University (Tokyo, Hachioji). The conference provided an opportunity for IOP's domestic and overseas research fellows to share their research on the Lotus Sutra and other topics, including inter-religious and inter-civilizational dialogue, peace and human rights, and environmental issues.

 

On the first day (May 31), the IOP held a joint symposium titled "Dialogue between Islam and Buddhism: Faith and the Essence of Human Beings" in collaboration with the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) at the International Islamic University Malaysia. This symposium served as a gathering to explore the wisdom of peace and coexistence within Islamic and Buddhist traditions. ※Details of the symposium are published in "The Journal of Oriental Studies"

 

Following opening remarks by IOP Director Mr. Ryohei Tanaka, the following presentations were made:

 

●"Interreligious Ways to Coexist: The Wisdom of Peace and Coexistence between Islam and Buddhism"

(Dr. Hideki Iwaki, IOP Research Fellow)

Dr. Iwaki examined possibilities for coexistence in religiously diverse regions, highlighting Islam's tolerance through urban civilization, commercial culture, and the Ottoman Empire's system for "People of the Book." He demonstrated how Buddhist principles of life's dignity, non-violence, and compassion complement Islamic approaches to peaceful coexistence.

 

●"Integrating Islamic and Buddhist Educational Philosophies: A Comparative Study on Holistic Human Development"

(Assistant Prof. Dr. Nurul Ain Norman, Head of Research, ISTAC-IIUM)

Dr. Norman explored the convergence of Islamic "Tarbiya" (soul cultivation) and Buddhist "Bhavana" (mental cultivation), proposing an integrated educational model. She emphasized that true education is not mere knowledge transmission but a "revolution" for self-transformation that awakens inner dignity through practices like chanting.

 

●"The Metaphysical Structure of the Human Revolution and the Concept of the Perfect Man of Ibn-Arabī"

(Dr. Tatsuya Yamazaki, IOP Senior Research Fellow)

Dr. Yamazaki analyzed the philosophical connections between Daisaku Ikeda's human revolution theory and Ibn-Arabī's concept of the perfect human. He explored how self-transformation from egoism to altruism, understood through the principle of simultaneous cause and effect, contributes to world peace.

 

●"Faith and Essence of Human Being: Exploring the Islamic Concept of 'Honored Vicegerent'"

(Datuk Prof. Dr. Abdelaziz Berghout, Dean, ISTAC-IIUM)

Prof. Berghout presented the Islamic understanding of humans as "Honored Vicegerents" (Khalifa), emphasizing four key relationships: with God, self, others/society, and nature/universe. He connected these concepts to President Ikeda's educational philosophy on value creation, global citizenship, and peace building.

 

After the presentations, a panel discussion was held where the four speakers exchanged comments and questions on each other's presentations. Active Q&A sessions with participants also took place.

 

On the second day (June 1), research presentations were conducted as part of the academic conference.