Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (The Society for the Promotion of Buddhism) is a foundation
established in 1965 by Rev.
Dr. Yehan Numata, the founder of Mitutoyo Corporation with the
cooperation of many people. It was founded for the purpose of spreading the
teaching of Buddha.
Mitutoyo Corporation was established in 1934 with the mission of providing
funds to realize the lofty goal of the dissemination of Buddhism. It started
out as a pioneering manufacturer of precision measuring instruments.
Its management ideals are two:
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Contribute to the happiness of people through the promotion of Buddhism.
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Aim to become a leader in the company's field of endeavor.
Regarding the second goal, there are two Operations sites and 12
plants within Japan. Abroad there are 27 research and development,
manufacturing, sales, and technical service bases in 21 countries. There is
also a network of distributors in 80 countries. The company business is
progressing smoothly.
Reference the first objective, in support of the activity to disseminate
Buddhism, we have the various undertakings of Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (The Society
for the Promotion of Buddhism). The translation and publication of The Teaching
of Buddha, the pillar of this program, is being accomplished in 41 languages
and its distribution has reached over 7 million copies. These books have been
placed in more than 8,000 hotels in 53 countries, and placed in nearly
1,000,000 rooms.
The translation of the Chinese Buddhist Canon, the source material for the
Teaching of Buddha is also progressing steadily under the joint effort of
Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (The Society for the Promotion of Buddhism) in
Japan and the Numata Center for
Buddhist Translation and Research in Berkeley, California. The effort
involves the publication of 139 selected texts of the Buddhist Canon in the
First Series.
As another activity, Numata Chairs in Buddhist Studies have been endowed at
major universities in the world, i.e. University of California Berkeley,
Harvard University, University of Chicago, Institute of Buddhist Studies,
University of Calgary, University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of Toronto,
Smith College, University of Oxford, Leiden University, University of London,
Mcgill University, Vienna University, University of Hamburg.
In addition, the offering of scholarships to young Buddhist researchers in the
world is also gaining visible results.
As a link for the international dissemination of Buddhism, branches of the
Society for the Promotion of Buddhism have been established in Europe, North
America, South America, and Asia and are about to take firm root. Moreover, the
newly-established EKO Japanese Cultural Center in Germany is beginning to
receive attention as a base for the dissemination of Buddhism in Europe.
I sincerely request your kind support and cooperation.
Toshihide Numata
Chairman of the Board
MITUTOYO Corporation
President
Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai
(Society for the Promotion of Buddhism)
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