Right after the World War II, the whole nation of Japan was painfully struggling to survive in the ravages resulted from the war. The allied countries were about to impose on Japan a huge amount of reparations through the San Francisco Conference for Peace Treaty. However, one of the representatives from Ceylon (present Sri Lanka) late Mr. Jayawardana, then Foreign Minister (later, President of Sri Lanka) contended that, although the proposed compensation for the damage on rubber plantations, etc. were legitimate, his country had no intention to pursue their right for the monetary compensation because they believed in Lord Buddha's teaching. That is "Hatreds never cease by hatreds. By love (or compassion) alone, they cease," He further stated that therefore, he would not agree with the major allied force countries’ plan and that with that plan, Japan would never be able to regain spirit to respect religion, peace and dignity. Thus, he opposed strongly the allied major counties' idea in his speech, which created a historical moment for Japan's future by quoting Buddha's teaching. His noble mind made him initiate his move against the mainstream decision and become the first representative to waive his country's right to demand compensation. Many other country representatives such as India and Republic of China were deeply touched by his revealing speech and followed his action. As a result, Japan was given an opportunity to rebuild itself as a free independent country.
The Japanese have forgotten about appreciating their fellow human beings' compassion and returning their favor while Japan has attained and enjoyed the prosperity no other country has had. The whole nation of Japan has focused on endless striving for materialistic gain. The consequence was bursting of the so-called “Bubble Economy” in the '80s. The amount of money Japan lost through the crisis was said to be as much as could have been imposed on Japan as the sum of reparations that Japan owed to other countries.
In the last 50 years after the WWII, the Japanese have devoted themselves to pursuing material wealth, while others criticized them, nicknaming them as "economic animals" and creating a new word, "Japan Bashing". This might have been a warning from on high to the Japanese people who forgot about spiritual well being. It can be thought that we have been given an opportunity to think about our spiritual life through the economic crisis.
Based on this conclusion, we believe that in order for the Japanese to attain the true peace of mind under such turmoil, Japan has to contribute to helping unfortunate people of the world, fostering spiritual and cultural prosperity of the world, and resolving the conflicts between different religions and their doctrines, and we have expressed our desire to contribute to true world peace through various activities.
NPO ASCA OVERSEAS CULTURAL EXCHANGE has directed it is major efforts towards establishing a scholarship fund, an adoption system, and building a kindergarten and an elementary school and a hospital in Asian countries.
At the dawn of the 21st Century, we would like to continue to devote our efforts towards true ever-lasting world peace, while praying for arrival of a day in this new century when every creature on earth as well as human beings lives in harmony and the earth is filled with a spirit of peace. At the same time, we, Japanese, would hopefully live our lives with deep appreciation to others’ kindness, which was extended to us 50 years ago, and with pride in our heritage. We feel that our last opportunity for spiritual survival in the new century depends on whether we can truly reciprocate others’ compassionate treatment to us through contributing to world peace, which, we firmly believe, is our mission.
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