On Nov. 5, 2002, we attended the 4th Asian Delegates Conference of Jinrui Aizenkai, celebrating the 110th anniversary of the founding of Oomoto and the 77th anniversary of the founding of Jinrui Aizenkai (Universal Love and Brotherhood Association). We prayed together for an “Aizen world” and earnestly discussed the conference theme: “The ULBA Activities of 21st Century in Asia.”
1) We heard activity reports from local Aizenkai branches on the following topics.
(1) Educational and cultural activity for youth to spread universal love and brotherhood, medical clinic activity, promotion of organic farming, tree-planting programs, and the world federation movement. The reports show that these branch activities are progressing depending on the unique characteristics of each locale. We would like to express our deep gratitude for these endeavors.
(2) The activities reported this year have evolved from the efforts reported at the three previous Asian delegate conferences. The first of these was held in February 1981. The theme was reformation of humanity and the environment. The second conference was in November 1985. The theme was making universal love and brotherhood the guiding principle of humanity and the idea that all religions spring from the same source. The third conference was held in November 1993 and had two themes: The eternal flourishing of humankind and the earth, and regional activities toward the Aizen world. We are very happy to see that the local activities of Jinrui Aizenkai have flourished and that the number of talented, energetic young leaders has increased during the 21 years since our first conference.
2) Activity report from the general headquarters of Jinrui Aizenkai.
Jinrui Aizenkai and Oomoto share the same following five goals, and we will continue to work toward these in the years ahead. They are: 1) bioethics; 2) peace; 3) environment and agriculture; 4) artistic activity, and 5) the Esperanto movement. The Asian branches organize their activities in line with these same five issues. Therefore, general headquarters expressed its determination to support the branches as they locally pursue these goals.
3) Future activities of the Aizen movement.
(1) Universal Love And Brotherhood Is The Key.
The activity reports we have heard from local branches and general headquarters reaffirm our Founding Pledge, which we believe will be an important beacon for the world in the global crisis of the 21st century. This crisis is marked by the misery of spreading famine, disease and war, the pressure of the population explosion, and the worsening of the environment. The spirit of universal love and brotherhood, which respects the dignity of all life, will provide the key to finding remedies for these problems.
(2) A Bright Century For Asia
The 20th century has been a century of Western civilization, a century of science and war. We hope to make the 21st century a spiritual century of peaceful civilization and a century of Asia. In 1935, Onisaburo Deguchi, the First Spiritual Leader of Jinrui Aizenkai, stated that Asia is a very important region for the establishment of world peace. Asia has a cultural background that embraces everything and it gave the world such saints as Buddha, Christ, Muhammad and Confucius. Therefore, real world peace will come to pass when Asian civilization shines.
(3) A First Step Towards An Asian Union
Onisaburo Deguchi also referred to the future of the world as the unity of 12 regional blocks. We can say that today’s European Union is one such block and provides an example for future unions in Asia, Africa and the Americas. The foundation for these unions must be spiritual harmony. We, the members of this association, must be the pioneers of this harmony.
As a first step in this endeavor we aim to establish through the cooperation of religionists and academics an institute of bioethics to protect the dignity of life. One purpose of the institute will be to promote the survival of the human race. In addition, we wish to further promote religious cooperation and the world federation movement to bring about a tranquil, peaceful society without famine, conflict or war. To solve problems associated with the population explosion, food production and the environment, we wish to practice and disseminate agricultural methods based on the principle of food self-sufficiency, which we believe is a God-given right. We also wish to recognize the importance of Esperanto and to continue to promote the desirability of an international language. To help us accomplish all of these, we wish to strengthen the regional organizations and to establish more branches to spread Aizen activities throughout Asia.
