On August 17, Soka University’s Faculty of International Liberal Arts (FILA) and Thammasat University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts held a joint seminar at the latter institution’s Bangkok campus to commemorate one year since the signing of an academic exchange agreement between the universities and the opening of the Soka University Thailand Office on Thammasat grounds in June 2016.
The seminar was held under the theme “Philosophies of peace and coexistence.” Some 80 people, including Thammasat University President Noranit Setabutr, Thammasat Faculty of Liberal Arts Dean Dumrong Adunyarittigun, Soka University Board of Trustees Chair Yoshinori Tashiro, Soka’s FILA Dean Ichiro Takahashi and students attended.
In his opening address, Thammasat University President Noranit shared that he was pleased to be able to hold an academic seminar between the two universities: “Given that Thailand is a Buddhist nation, the public has a deep understanding of Buddhist teachings. It is therefore a matter of particular interest to us that Soka University has been founded on the ideals of Mahayana Buddhism. The Thai people are sure to find it quite interesting.” He expressed his hope to be able to learn more about Soka University’s education philosophy through the seminar.
Next, Soka University Board of Trustees Chair Tashiro spoke on the founding spirit of Soka University and the importance of the virtues of wisdom, courage and compassion. Soka’s FILA Dean Takahashi then lectured on the topic of peace and liberal arts education.