Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture
Discuss the theme of “Life”
The 7th Life Study Group was held on June 23, 2024 at the Shinsenkyô, a National Place of Scenic Beauty, in Gora, Hakone.
The seminar, held at the Nikkoden, a nationally designated Tangible Cultural Property, was attended by approximately 140 people, both in person and online.
On behalf of the organizers, Professor Emeritus Shinzo Kato of Keio University explained the background and aims of holding the symposium. Chisato Machida performed the Amami dance, and Kyoto University Professor Emeritus Touji Kamata offered a performance on stone flutes, flutes, and conch horns.
Under the theme of “Life,” five speakers—Professor Emeritus Toji Kamata, Professor Emeritus Susumu Shimazono of University of Tokyo, Professor Emeritus Soho Machida of Hiroshima University Graduate School, Professor Emeritus Shinzo Kato, and Executive Vice President Noriyuki Ueda of Tokai Gakuen University—gave lectures based on their respective research.
List of Abstracts
●Toji Kamata, Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University
Listening to the voices of life: The Oku-Noto Kukai Footprints Eco-Restoration Tourism Plan and the will of the Mawaki Jomon Future Research Group
●Susumu Shimazono, Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo
Spirituality of Pain and Care
●Soho Machida, Professor Emeritus, Graduate School of Hiroshima University
Playing with “Life”: An Introduction to “Playing with Life”
●Shinzo Kato, Professor Emeritus, Keio University
“Life” as an alternative to God and Buddha
●Noriyuki Ueda, Executive Vice President, Tokai Gakuen University
“Life” and “Living” – “What is Visible and What is Invisible”
Following the lecture, a general discussion was held among the five speakers. Taking into account medical and religious perspectives, as well as the social awareness that AI is beginning to spread explosively, there was a lively discussion about what “life” is and how we should handle it. Afterwards, there was a question and answer session, and the seminar concluded in a great success.
Prior to the “Life Study Group,” the lecturers took a stroll around the Bright Light Grounds and Shinsenkyô, a National Place of Scenic Beauty, while receiving explanations from the staff. They gained a deeper understanding of the wishes and efforts of Mokichi Okada, who created the grounds. The Moss Garden, in particular, is filled with around 130 different species of moss that had been donated by members from all over the country while Okada was building the garden, and the group was deeply moved to hear that some of these species had been recognized by experts as rare.
Organized by: Research Society of Life
