As usual, the small group and closed discussion space made it possible to talk about this sensitive or even radical topics, which are difficult to discuss in front of a large audience, but is extremely important, nonetheless. This online salon, where people of a certain social standing can discuss with a sense of humor in
It is a very serious topic, we know. However, recent enactments of laws in Switzerland and Canada that lower the hurdles for “death with dignity” will make it impossible to avoid serious discussions in Japan in the near future. In those Western countries, in addition to “bioethics” as an academic discipline, the discussion is also
The other day, for the 52nd time already (…it’s been going on for so long!) at the “Buddhism and Science Salon, I had a good talk with Rev. Gwen as my partner, the head monk of Hongwanji Temple. The theme this time was “Hero Brain and Villain Brain.” Needless to say, from the Pure Land
Really, how many times have I talked with Rev. Gwen, the Go-Monshu, on this subject? However, it’s the Mādhyamaka School and the Yogācāra School as the “most fundamental religious philosophy platform of Mahayana Buddhism” that absolutely cannot be dropped, right? But unlike Tibetan Buddhism, where both doctrines can be the central talk even when it
I have been living in Malaysia for 2.5 years now, and the day to leave here is approaching. I have about 6 months left of exciting and enjoyable days. We are sad to leave, but I’m sure I’ll return frequently as my relationship with Universiti Malaya and others will still continue. Since the start of
The eastern part of Minoh City, where my parents live, belongs to an area called “Hokusetsu/Toyono,” or “Tibet in Osaka,” where the temperature is really 2 degrees lower than in Osaka City in the winter. Furthermore, it borders Nose Town in Toyono-gun and the northern part of Ibaraki City to the north, and you can
I once appeared on the Youtube channel of Rev. Sakuranbo, with three of my colleagues from my online salon. One of us is his old, old friend. It was surprisingly well received, and I was grateful for the invitation to appear on his channel as solo this time. For a full hour, I talked about
今回のテーマは、敢えて我々どちらの専門性からも少々距離のあるテーマでした。それがよかったのか、「オタク度全開モード」が使えなくて、注意して間違えないように語ったからか、意外とウハウハ脱線せずに、イントロがあり、中折れせず、落ちが付く、という、今までになくまともな対話で閉じることができたのではないでしょうか。これは新たな発見ですね！
今回のテーマは「Field of Dreams」と、随分昔のハリウッド映画を軸に持って来てのお話でした。本来は「夢は叶う」というときのpositiveな「dreams/夢」を語ろうという意図だったのですが、性根が少々捻じれている二人のこと、すぐに、「夢は何もpositivceなものばかりではない」「悪夢も含めて『叶う』ことは本当にいいことか？」とツッコミが入り、開始すぐに「nightmare」の方の夢、つまりは「悪夢」にフォーカスが当たることに。
今回の「仏教と科学のサロン」のテーマは「念仏について」でした。もともとは、Gwenさんに投げかけられた質問「念仏とアフォメーションは似たようなものなのか？」を考えてみよう、というものだったのですが、予想以上に深く広く議論が展開できまして、「身体性」と「修行論」の辺りの話がたくさんできたような気がします。 今後もこの辺りをテーマに深く慎重に話せたら、あまりに伝統的な「念仏の在り方」に固執しがちな保守的な組織（これは対談時にも出ましたが、「京都に土台を持つ長い歴史を持つ組織」には横断的に見られる傾向だと思います）に、新しい風を吹き込め、より21世紀にフィットした打開点が見つかるかもしれないと話しました。