On June 19,2026, Gakurin Seminary held a joint lecture for its four programs entitled “The World of Sikhism: Forgiveness, Reconciliation & Interfaith Action for Peace,” as part of the Gakurin Global Lecture Series and the educational initiatives of the Nikkyo Niwano School for Global Leadership. Seminarians and other participants joined the program online, deepening their understanding of how dialogue and cooperation across religious traditions can contribute to the realization of peace.
The Nikkyo Niwano School for Global Leadership seeks to carry forward the vision and legacy of Rev. Nikkyo Niwano by cultivating leaders who, grounded in the study and practice of Buddhism and the Lotus Sutra, are prepared to engage constructively with the complex challenges facing contemporary society and the world. This lecture provided an opportunity for participants to learn from the teachings and practices of another religious tradition and to explore how interreligious cooperation can foster the capacity to work together for peace.
The guest speakers were H.E. Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh, a Sikh spiritual leader based in the United Kingdom who has long been engaged in interreligious dialogue and peacebuilding around the world, and Ms. Ravinder Kaur Nijjar, an international leader dedicated to advancing women’s empowerment and interreligious cooperation.
In his opening remarks, Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, President of Gakurin Seminary, emphasized that the study of Buddhism and the Lotus Sutra at Gakurin is intended not only to deepen one’s own faith, but also to cultivate openness to learning from diverse religious and cultural traditions and to engage with challenges shared by humanity. He expressed his hope that the lecture would provide an opportunity for participants to deepen this dimension of their learning.
Ms. Ravinder introduced the history and teachings of Sikhism, emphasizing the conviction that every human being possesses equal dignity and the importance of mutual respect across differences of religion, ethnicity, and gender. She also introduced the Sikh tradition of langar, in which people share a meal together regardless of religion or social status, illustrating how faith finds concrete expression through service to others and engagement with society.
Reflecting on interreligious dialogue, she emphasized that peace is fostered not by eliminating differences, but by recognizing and respecting them while discovering values that people hold in common.
H.E. Mohinder Singh then spoke about forgiveness as a spiritual practice capable of transforming the human heart and contributing to healing and reconciliation in society. He emphasized the importance of cultivating virtues such as compassion, humility, truthfulness, and integrity, while confronting one’s own desires, attachments, and anger. Drawing on the understanding of humanity as one family, he stressed that protecting the dignity of others across religious differences and acting for the well-being of society as a whole are essential pathways toward peace.
Following the presentations, Rev. Sugino moderated a dialogue between the speakers and the seminarians. In response to a question from a seminarian about how to continue moving forward when confronted with the gap between ideals and reality, Ms. Ravinder encouraged participants to begin by connecting with one person, underscoring the importance of taking small but meaningful steps. H.E. Mohinder Singh likewise emphasized returning to the foundations of one’s faith and continually cultivating compassion, humility, love, and other virtues in everyday life.
The lecture offered the seminarians an opportunity to encounter the teachings and practices of another religious tradition while reflecting anew on universal values such as human dignity, service, dialogue, and the aspiration for peace. It also deepened their understanding that learning from one another across religious differences—and translating that learning into shared action—can be an important step toward addressing the challenges of contemporary society and building a more peaceful world.
Through the Nikkyo Niwano School for Global Leadership, Gakurin Seminary will continue to carry forward the vision and legacy of Rev. Nikkyo Niwano. Grounded in the study and practice of Buddhism and the Lotus Sutra, Gakurin seeks to foster dialogue and exchange with religious leaders, educational and research institutions, and diverse partners in Japan and around the world, while cultivating people who respect diverse perspectives, work collaboratively with others, and contribute to peace and the well-being of society and the wider world.
