19 January 2008

Dr Shizuo Suzuki, National Director of the Global Country of World Peace in Japan, recently summarized the achievements of Reverend Koji Oshima, a Buddhist monk from Japan who, inspired by Maharishi’s life long work, has been instrumental in inspiring over 3,100 Buddhist monks in more than 100 temples in Shri Lanka and Thailand to learn Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation Programme.

Dr Peter Swan, Minister of Communications for the Global Country of World Peace, applauded Dr Suzuki, saying that it was his organizing power and support that led to this great project with Reverend Oshima unfolding.

One of the first meetings Reverend Oshima had was with a saint whom Maharishi had met years before on his visits to Sri Lanka, and who is now leader—Shan Kara—of one the three streams of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Maharishi had advised Reverend Oshima that receiving the blessings of saints, senior monks, and elders of the temples would be the secret of success wherever he travelled.

Wherever the monks learnt Transcendental Meditation, it was greatly appreciated by young and old alike. One elder commented, 'Transcendental Meditation is a wonderful meditation system,’ an opinion supported by a remarkable 94-year-old monk, the most venerable encountered by Dr Oshima. 

The young Buddhist monks were thrilled by Maharishi's knowledge, and were particularly interested in the Unified Field chart, illustrating how the Unified Field of Natural Law described by modern quantum physics is experienced directly as the field of pure consciousness, the Self, during the Transcendental Meditation Technique. 

Dr Suzuki observed that improvements in the Sri Lankan economy and reduction of crime had occurred since the teaching project began.  

In recognition of these great achievements, Reverend Oshima was honoured with the degree of Doctor of World Peace, Honoris Causa, the highest degree bestowed by Maharishi University of World Peace. The text of the diploma refers to the techniques that Lord Buddha taught to experience Nirvana and recounts how, as has happened with many cultures and religions, the long lapse of time has obscured the techniques, and they have been lost to the world. Through Reverend Oshima’s work, and the subsequent teaching of Transcendental Meditation—which gives the experience of transcending to Buddhist monks—the knowledge is being restored. In accordance with Maharishi's wishes, the diploma was presented to Reverend Oshima by the Shankara -- the most senior monk in Thailand. 

Reverend Oshima gave credit for the success of the project to the guidance and blessings of Maharishi, thanking him for the wonderful gifts of knowledge and enlightenment on behalf of over 3,000 Buddhist monks in Thailand and Sri Lanka who have learnt the Transcendental Meditation Programme. Eloquently expressing his deep respect and gratitude to Maharishi, Reverend Dr Oshima also gave special thanks to all those who sponsored the programme and contributed to its success.