On March 1, 2026, Gakurin hosted a dialogue program on “Transformative Learning,” welcoming Mr. Ted Mayer, Academic Director of the Institute for Transformative Learning of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB). The program was jointly organized by Gakurin and the Nikkyo Niwano School for Global Leadership, representing a concrete expression of their ongoing partnership with INEB.
Over the past three years, Gakurin has continuously sent its students to participate in Mr. Mayer’s programs. This dialogue was made possible through the relationships cultivated via this sustained international exchange and was positioned not as a one-time lecture, but as part of a deeper, practice-oriented learning process.
During the program, participants examined the current state of “polycrisis,” in which issues such as war, violence, climate change, and social division are deeply interconnected. It was emphasized that addressing these challenges requires not only institutional and technological solutions, but also a fundamental reexamination of human consciousness and ways of being. While human beings inherently possess empathy and creativity, these capacities are often constrained by fear and fixed assumptions. Transforming these inner conditions—what may be called “inner transformation”—was identified as a foundation for broader social change.
At the heart of the program was the practice of dialogue free from judgment and evaluation. Within a space of mutual trust and attentive listening, participants reflected on their own experiences and emotions while rediscovering their connections with others. Such dialogue goes beyond intellectual understanding; it functions as a form of learning that fosters changes in self-awareness and, ultimately, in action.
Through this process, it became clear that inner transformation and social practice are inseparable. Deepening self-understanding reshapes relationships with others, which in turn leads to transformation within communities and society at large. This dynamic is concretely embodied in the partnership between Gakurin and INEB, where the spirit of “engaged Buddhism”—moving from inner awakening to addressing global challenges—is made manifest in the educational setting.
The collaboration among Gakurin, the Nikkyo Niwano School for Global Leadership, and INEB demonstrates the potential of cooperation that transcends religious and cultural boundaries. Dialogue-based learning extends beyond mutual understanding to collaborative action in addressing shared challenges. Gakurin will continue to advance such educational initiatives, fostering individuals capable of responding to the complexities of our world by integrating inner transformation with social engagement.
学林講義 庭野日敬スクール・フォー・グローバルリーダーシップ Gakurin Seminary Nikkyo Niwano School for Global Leadership (チラシ)
