A New Era of the People: Forging a Global Network of Robust Individuals

The year 2005 was marked by a series of devastating natural disasters, continuing terror attacks and conflict, and the threat of virulent new diseases. These issues affect every one of us, with no respect for political or geographical borders; they are an integral aspect ofglobalization. But the most effective search for solutions to these global problems starts with a focus on our immediate, individual realities. The process of modernization has changed the way the individual interacts with the social and natural environment, as ties of relation with family, neighborhood and other communities unravel. While in one sense a pursuit of ever-greater freedom for the individual, this can lead toward the kind of unbridled individualism where untrammeled desire takes control. Certainly this can be see as a root cause of some of the horrendous crimes that Japanese society has witnessed over recent years. To avoid a slide into unbridled individualism, what is needed is to develop a robust character that can confront the changes in our society without becoming ensnared in greed and selfishness. This kind of robust individuals is rooted in society, in relationships with others and in shared and mutual concerns. Religion can provide the framework for developing robust individuals-indeed, this is the primary mission of religion, as it strengthens the inner life while bringing people together in dynamic social interaction.