Professor Emeritus Kanayama of Meiji University held a kickoff meeting today in Ochanomizu ,Tokyo, to launch his research institute, “Terakoya of Life,(temple school of life)” as a limited liability company.

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First Professor Kanayama, who specializes in Thanatology, talked about the ideas of a Zen Buddhist monk named *Hakuin. He explained that when humans are in crisis, simple logic such as 1+1 = 2 is not always the answer. He goes on to say that there is no complete solution to the inevitable pain of life, and that the harder you try to escape ‘hell’ the greater the pain becomes.

*Hakuin: The monk Hakuin Ekaku (1686–1769) played a key role in preaching the effectiveness of Zen meditation as a way of cultivating a healthy body and mind, teaching that meditation held the secret to living a long, healthy life.

Then he explained how Japan has changed since the end of the war. How people have been so tied up in rebuilding the economy with an insanely unrelenting work ethic, they have lost all connection with the purpose of working to live, rather than simply living just to work.

From now on, how should we live? What kind of society should we create? What is the most humane way of working? We need to think carefully.

He stated that in order to constantly create new value, the institute is planning various events and trips in the future to explore new possibilities and disseminate them to the world.

The 40 or so people gathered here today are those that strongly resonate with the ideas of Professor Kanayama’s research institute.

Coming from a variety of professions, including a doctor, an architect, an entrepreneur and a monk, each guest took the mic and pledged what they would contribute in support for this project.

At most business related social gatherings, the topic of concern is how to make more money. However, contrary to this typicality, the people gathered here today were united in good faith, and in the spirit of compassion to make Japan a better place. A refreshingly unusual and welcome event.

One doctor said that the number of deaths in Japan is increasing, and medical workers are faced with death more and more every day. In Buddhist countries such as Taiwan and Thailand, hospitals always have places of worship, but in Japan, medical care and faith are separated. He said that he thinks a place of prayer is essential for medical workers.

Shiozawa announced to everyone that he would like to work with the professor and help people to visualize the unseen world of the gods through his paintings. He suggested that this would be of benefit when guiding future generations toward the meaning of life. In doing so the spirit and compassion of Japanese culture can be preserved through the ages.