Diversity and Inclusion From the Buddhist Perspective by Julie Taeko
Why I Began Researching Diversity and Inclusion (D & I)
I studied women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment at Kyoto University, which led me down the path of researching Diversity and Inclusion (D & I) — an up-and-coming topic in Silicon Valley. I even interviewed D & I experts in Silicon Valley, as I was interested in what they do, how they do it, and what they believe is important right now and in the near future. While I plan to focus on Product Marketing in the next few years, I will keep abreast of all of the latest developments in D & I in Silicon Valley and around the world.
Why Do We Need to Empower Disadvantaged Folks and Humanity at Large?
It’s critical to support and empower anyone and everyone who needs it. Everyone — regardless of what they look like, their socioeconomic background, sexuality, gender, age, etc. — requires the help and support of others. However, some people need more help than others. And we should uplift those who need it.
But it’s also critical to remember that at the end of the day, we are all human; we are all a part of the human race. And we all experience the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death — according to the Buddhist philosophy about life. Moreover, humans are 99.9% exactly the same genetically, so why do we tear each other apart based on religion, race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic background, gender, sexuality, etc.? It’s such a waste of our immense potential as human beings.
After researching this area for the past 3 years, and realizing that the conversation needs to expand to empowering all of humanity, particularly those who are disadvantaged, I realized the connection between diversity and inclusion and Nichiren Buddhism.
The Connection Between Diversity & Inclusion (D & I) and Nichiren Buddhism with the Soka Gakkai (SGI)
As a practitioner of Nichiren Buddhism with the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) for my entire life, I immediately noticed the connection between Buddhism and Diversity & Inclusion.
Side Note: Much like Christianity, there are many varieties of Buddhism, which range from leading a very ascetic lifestyle — think Dalai Lama — and excluding women from reaching Enlightenment in the afterlife, to Nichiren Buddhism, which is the most radical philosophy that declares that all people of any background can become enlightened in this lifetime, no matter what! Buddhism is very diverse. And I specifically, practice the Lotus Sutra, one of the last Sutras (or Teachings) that Siddhartha (or Shakyamuni) proposed.
Buddhism cherishes the unique potential of each individual, and each individual’s unique mission in the world that only they can accomplish. The fundamental belief is that each person has the ability to contribute positive value to society in their own unique way. Thus, each person is inherently important and should be respected as a fellow Buddha, with the innate potential to become Enlightened in this lifetime. If every single human being has an innate Buddha nature, and a unique mission on they can accomplish in this life, then we should value the lives of every single human being on this planet.
The Philosophical Foundations of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) are derived from a 13th century monk, Nichiren Daishonin, who eloquently stated that:
As such, each person is “seen to possess infinite possibility and inherent, inviolable dignity and worth.” At its essence, Nichiren Buddhism is a philosophy that places the utmost importance on respecting the dignity and worthiness of each individual. Nichiren Buddhism’s core teachings are to respect each individual’s inherent humanity. Moreover, just as each individual has a unique character, a unique experience of life, a unique culture, etc., it can be understood as a manifestation of cosmic creativity and wisdom.
When we fundamentally believe that each individual is worthy of respect and possesses infinite potential, we can celebrate the creativity and diversity that each individual brings to the table, as well as celebrate the unique expressions of life that lead to such a wealth of human diversity.
It’s quite profound that such an inclusive and profound perspective on life, was brought to us so long ago by Nichiren Daishonin. As a result, Buddhism has been ahead of the times by sharing a very basic concept of respecting each individual’s humanity, unique potential, inviolable dignity, and worth as a human being. Buddhism also helps us focus on what brings us together, rather than the differences that separate us.
After all, we all live and breath the same air, have the same hopes and dreams for our children, and want to become happy in the life that we have chosen. Also, it encourages us to focus on awakening to our own innate potential and to truly value our lives, and by extension, the lives of others.
