Faculty overview

From learning “Buddhism” to the future.

Faculty of Buddhist Studies Rissho University is a place where students can comprehensively explore and learn about Buddhism from many different angles. We aim to help each student to learn deeply from Buddhist wisdom, acquire flexible thinking and compassion, and become individuals who can contribute to society.
We live in an age where globalization and information society are creating distortions in society, and clashes of civilizations and cultures are occurring all over the world. The study of Faculty of Buddhist Studies is full of hints for solving these difficult problems. Buddhist wisdom teaches us the importance of respecting both oneself and others, and "education for living in the present" that has universality that connects to any future.
The doors of Faculty of Buddhist Studies are not only open to those with a special interest in Buddhism. The scope of study at Faculty of Buddhist Studies goes far beyond the framework of "Buddhism" as generally imagined, embracing society and the world while also reaching into the depths of our hearts. The various knowledge and experiences you will absorb during your four years on campus in the city will nourish you to live life true to yourself and serve as a compass for the future.

Characteristics of education

Faculty of Buddhist Studies has the educational goal of nurturing talented individuals who can contribute to society at large by acquiring liberal arts and specialized knowledge regarding the intellectual system of Buddhism and human exploration, and who have the high ideals and strong will to "seek the truth and offer the utmost sincerity," "respect justice and eliminate evil," and "wish for peace and serve humanity," as stated in the university's founding spirit.
To achieve these educational goals, we offer a wide variety of courses, including applied subjects that examine their contemporary significance, practical training in the production of Buddhist art such as Buddhist statues and paintings, and experiential learning through practical training in Buddhist culture both in Japan and abroad, while also providing a correct understanding of the fundamentals of Buddhist studies and Nichiren Buddhism.

Faculty of Buddhist Studies has two departments, the Department of Religious Studies and the Department of Buddhist Studies. The Department of Religious Studies has two courses, the Lotus Sutra Buddhism Course and the Japanese Buddhism Course, and the Department of Buddhist Studies has two courses, the Philosophy and History Course and the Culture and Art Course, and each has its own unique study program. In the first and second years, it is important to find the field you truly want to study within the diverse world of Buddhism. For this reason, a common group of subjects is prepared for all first and second year students, from which they can learn a wide range of basic skills and concepts necessary for studying in Faculty of Buddhist Studies. Then, in the third and fourth years, students will deepen their study of their major field by taking the distinctive group of subjects of their department or course. This is a major feature of the educational program of Faculty of Buddhist Studies.

Faculty of Buddhist Studies Educational Programs

The Lotus Buddhism course is a specialized course that focuses on the ideological and religious aspects of the Nichiren saint's way of thinking and way of life, including Nichiren teachings, history of Nichiren teachings, and history of the Nichiren sect.
The Japanese Buddhism Course is a specialized course in which students learn from a multifaceted perspective about the reception and development of Buddhism in Japan, including Japanese Buddhist thought, the history of Japanese Buddhism, and the relationship between Buddhism and modern society, as well as consider the role of Buddhism in modern society.
The Thought and History Course is a specialized course that examines Buddhism as a universal ideology through comparisons with other ideas, the history and significance of the thought and development of Buddhism, which originated in India and spread throughout Asia and the world.
The Culture and Art Course is a specialized course that explores the development of culture based on religious spirit along with changes in society, and allows students to gain an experiential understanding of specific scenes of cultural creation, such as the development of Buddhist art.

We provide an environment where you can acquire the knowledge to live in the present.

Characteristics of fieldwork include visiting shrines, temples, and museums in the first year, as well as overseas training, where students learn about Buddhism through on-site experience.
As a feature of the hands-on training, students will learn about Buddhist statue production, calligraphy, flower arranging, memorial service etiquette, etc. on campus.
In order to develop communication skills, we offer small group classes that include presentations and debates.

• Buddhism Department's Philosophy and History Course, which explores the wisdom left behind in literature and explores the wisdom that can be used today.

  Buddhism was born in India about 2,500 years ago and spread throughout Asia, including Japan, and then around the world. How did the essence of Buddhism, which teaches how to understand and accept oneself and others, come to fruition? We will learn about its historical flow and the various ideas and doctrines that form Buddhism.

• past, present and future. Department of Buddhism, Culture and Art Course to learn the dynamism of culture that transcends time and space

  We will learn about the diverse and unique cultures of Asian countries from a comparative perspective with other cultural areas. Students can comprehensively learn about Buddhism, which is the root of culture and art in Asia, including its spirituality and historical background, and even try their hand at creating artwork to further their understanding.

• Obtaining a foundation to help you not lose yourself in the chaotic present Religious studies Lotus Buddhism course

  "Truth," "Justice," and "Peace" are the founding principles of Rissho University and can also be said to be issues that must be realized in modern society. By studying the life of Saint Nichiren, who endured numerous trials in order to remain faithful to these three beliefs and devoted himself to saving people, as well as the Lotus Sutra, the source of Nichiren's thought, we will cultivate a spirituality that is considerate of others and capable of putting the teachings into practice.

• A detailed study of 1,500 years of history and weaving a new history of Japanese Buddhism Department of Religious Studies Japanese Buddhism Course

  Buddhism was brought from its birthplace of India to the western regions, and while influenced by social and political backgrounds, it was established as ``Japanese Buddhism'' with its own uniqueness. We will re-evaluate Buddhism, which is deeply rooted in the Japanese psyche, as an identity (base) based on religion, culture, history, etc.

Objectives related to human resource development and other educational and research objectives / Educational goals / Three policies

Faculty of Buddhist Studies has the objectives of nurturing talented individuals who can acquire the liberal arts and specialized knowledge concerning the intellectual system of Buddhism and human inquiry, and contribute to society at large, as well as to conduct the education and research necessary for that purpose, as well as other educational and research objectives.

In order to achieve this, we have established and published the following integrated set of "Educational Objectives," "Policy for Graduation Certification and Degree Awarding (Diploma Policy)," "Policy for Composing and Implementing the Educational Course (Curriculum Policy)," and "Policy for Accepting Students (Admission Policy)," as follows: