2024/4/5

On Saturday, February 24, in response to a request from the Musashino University Professor Anna Ruggeri Takeshita of the Department of Italian Studies, Faculty of Foreign Studies, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies (KUFS) spoke at the Buddhism and Gender Symposium held at the Musashino University Seccho Hall in Tokyo.

The theme for Ms. Takeshita's contribution was "Zen Buddhism and women in modern Japan: Perspectives of Hakuin and Bankei." Ms. Takeshita exchanged ideas with Chikushi Jogakuen University Associate Professor Kazutaka Uji, who spoke about the possibilities of queer Buddhism, and with Chuo Gakuin University Part-Time Lecturer Nobuko Niwa, who explored the theme of rethinking qualities unique to Buddhist monks and women with an eye to overcoming schisms. The professor also participated in a Q&A session with Musashino University Professor Charles Muller, and otherwise engaged in rewarding discussions regarding new approaches and thinking in Buddhism, and its potential in today’s rapidly changing society. A total of 114 people were in the audience, and nearly 90 percent said they were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" in a questionnaire regarding the event, showing that it was a truly meaningful session for all in attendance.

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