On Saturday, May 25 and Monday, May 27, 2024, students from the 60th and 61st classes of Daiju, along with the 31st class of Renshu and Kaichoon programs, participated in a soup kitchen volunteer activity in collaboration with the Missionaries of Charity (MC), a religious order based in the Sanya district of Tokyo. This initiative aimed to offer warm meals and heartfelt encouragement to people facing difficult circumstances.
The students began by preparing ingredients alongside the sisters at the Mother Teresa House and took responsibility for the entire process—from cooking to serving meals. Their approach of sincerely handing each meal directly to those in need formed the foundation of this activity. This initiative, transcending religious boundaries, symbolized the spirit of cooperation between individuals of different faiths—Christianity and Buddhism—united by a common humanitarian goal.
Rissho Kosei-kai and the Missionaries of Charity have cultivated a long-standing relationship through ongoing exchanges and collaborative efforts. In the past, youth delegations have visited the congregation’s base in Kolkata, India, participating in support activities and deepening interfaith ties. Furthermore, both Saint Mother Teresa and the founder of Rissho Kosei-kai, Rev. Nikkyo Niwano, were recipients of the Templeton Prize, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of the religious world.” Their leadership continues to serve as a powerful symbol of interfaith dialogue and cooperation.
 Left: Mother Teresa Right: Nikkyo Niwano |
On Saturday the 25th, students prepared 309 meals of curry and rice with furikake and personally distributed them to those in need near Shirahige Bridge. On Monday the 27th, they once again visited the Missionaries of Charity’s facility, served freshly cooked udon noodles, and distributed lunch boxes to individuals living along the Sumida River—engaging in on-the-ground humanitarian support.
Reflecting on their experience, the students shared: “By joining hands and taking action together across religious differences, we were able to understand and embody the true meanings of Christian ‘love’ and Buddhist ‘compassion’ through our own actions.” The spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding beyond religious boundaries carries profound significance as a step toward the realization of a peaceful and harmonious society.
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