On October 10, 2025, the Gakurin Gyogakuen Campus welcomed Mr. Hiroshi Miyahira, a professional member of the Foreign Press Association in Italy and the Italian National Press Federation, and the longtime Vatican Bureau Chief of Kosei Shimbun, who has stood at the forefront of international religious reporting for many years.
Since 1974, Mr. Miyahira has been stationed at the Vatican Press Office. For nearly half a century, he has closely observed religious activities and peace-related initiatives around the world, guided by the question: How do religions contribute to human well-being?
On this occasion, he delivered a talk titled “Perspectives on Global Peace from Religion and Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation,” followed by an engaging discussion with the students, creating a rich learning experience.
The Current State of Religion as Seen from the Vatican
Vatican receives daily information on interreligious movements and dialogue from across the globe. From this vantage point, Mr. Miyahira has consistently emphasized the importance of cooperation that transcends religious boundaries.
During the discussion, he introduced a statement made by Pope Paul VI at the closing session of the Second Vatican Council in 1965:“Christians pray for Buddhists, and Buddhists pray for Christians.”
Mr. Miyahira stressed that building world peace based on a shared and expansive worldview is more important now than ever.
He noted that this perspective resonates strongly with the principles valued by Founder Nikkyo Niwano—interreligious dialogue, respect for diverse paths, and unity of purpose—pointing toward a way of life in which humanity can live in harmony beyond differences in belief.
“Beyond Differences: Praying, Learning, and Moving Forward Together” — Mr. Miyahira’s Message
In the dialogue, Mr. Miyahira remarked:
“Each tradition offers its own teachings that support people in their lives. Ultimately, these paths converge toward the well-being of all. This reflects Founder Nikkyo Niwano’s vision that people find fulfillment together, and that this shared orientation lies at the heart of religion.”
He also cited the biblical phrase from the Gospel of John, “that they may all be one,” explaining that humanity must aim for a unified vision grounded in a broad understanding of the universe and the world.
He added that, in Buddhist thought, this corresponds to the idea of an inclusive path that brings people together. His remarks underscored that mutual understanding and cooperation among religions are essential to building peace shared by all humanity.
Encouragement for Students — “Taking the Founder’s Spirit to the World”
In closing, Mr. Miyahira offered words of encouragement to the students:
“Keep your focus on the values you are studying, and continue an inner dialogue with the spirit of the Founder. By keeping those principles close to you, I hope you will continue contributing to society and addressing global challenges.”
His message conveyed strong expectations that younger generations studying religion will, through their daily practice and engagement, connect with the wider world and grow into contributors to peace.
