Recent calls for peace around the world have taken many different forms - protests, Internet activism and political campaigns. But a new group at UB is taking a different approach.
"I feel that the most realistic way to peace is through heart-to-heart discussion, inspiring others to peace," said Kazutoshi Yoshino, president of the Value Creation Club and a senior philosophy and peace studies double major.
The Value Creation Club - a group focused on promoting peace on an individual level through discussion - is beginning its second semester at UB, and the club's goals are based largely on Buddhist philosophy.
"The mission of Buddhism is to initiate individual revolution and transformation, and we find we accomplish so much more through this dialogue," said Yoshino.
Club members said the idea of a new dialogue on peace appealed to them, especially if they were looking for an alternative to protests.
"This is not to say that protests don't have a good place," said Liz Machmer, a senior linguistics major. "But I think individual interactions and finding peace within oneself is the only realistic way to peace."
According to Yoshino, the club is based on the ideals of the Soka Gakkai International, a Buddhist denomination with more than 12 million members in 89 countries worldwide.
Last spring, the club brought Daisaku Ikeda, founder of the SGI denomination of Buddhism, to speak at UB as part of an exhibition about inspirational leaders.
Ikeda not only spoke of Buddhist leaders, but also of peace efforts throughout the world.
This semester, the club will hold bi-weekly meetings, which they hope will establish campus discourse on peace.
Yoshino said although the club's activities are based on Buddhist philosophies, practice of the religion is not a requirement. This was evident at a recent Friday meeting, where half of those who took part in the discussion were members of Christian or other non-Buddhist denominations.
"Our philosophy is different because we are more interested in opening a dialogue between people and educate, rather than trying to convert people to Buddhism," said Yoshino.
Shuhei Takahashi, a third year graduate student in linguistics and a returning member of the club, said he feels Value Creation is well on its way to establishing itself in the university community.
"Our discussions are getting more involved, and there are many more people here," said Takahashi.
Yoshino agreed, and said the Value Creation Club should appeal to a broad cross-section of the university.
"Our discussions are helpful for students because they are very meaningful and help others to see, and maybe apply, this peaceful approach to many aspects of their lives," he said.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
