Japanese Buddhism and the 'peace clause'

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Soka Gakkai is a Japanese Buddhist lay organisation, often described as a form of “engaged Buddhism”. Its main spiritual practice is the chanting of the Lotus Sutra – believed to be mystical truth with the power to transform the self and therefore the world. In the course of its efforts to advance Buddhist values in society, Soka Gakkai runs universities, a publishing empire and more. Soka Gakkai has traditionally upheld Japan’s pacifist stance, but things are changing. Japan's conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is currently pushing to reinterpret Article Nine, the famous peace clause of the post-war Japanese constitution. Janak Rogers explores Soka Gakkai's role in Japanese society. (Photo: Japanese protestors against security guidelines. Credit: Associated Press)