About Doho University
Message from the President
President
Takumi Fukuda
Doho University is a small university with two faculties—the Faculty of Letters and the Faculty of Social Welfare—a Special Course (Buddhism Studies), and a Graduate School. The history of the university can be traced back to 1921, when the Shinshu College was established on the grounds of the Shinshu Otani-ha Nagoya Temple (East Branch), as a place to study Japanese Jodo Shinshu Buddhism (Shin Buddhism) founded by Shinran Shonin (1173-1263).
Shinran was a Buddhist who lived during the 12th and 13th centuries. His teachings emphasize that salvation is not exclusive to the nobility but extends to all sentient beings, regardless of wealth or status, without discrimination. While Shinran paved the way in making Buddhism accessible to the people, he viewed those who shared the same passion and walked the same path as him, not as disciples but as fellow companions traveling together. To communicate this idea in modern times, we use the expression Living Together in Diversity.
Here at Doho University, the image we hold of future leaders is not a person who attacks and disproves others to show off their superiority, as is often the case today in the world of politics and media. While recognizing that asserting dominance leads only to resentment and conflict, we believe that the type of people who should hold leadership positions from now on are those who immerse themselves among others, build diverse connections, and collaborate to move situations forward—rather than those who simply sit at the top, issuing commands. Doho University is a place of learning that cultivates the spirit of Living Together in Diversity and strives for salvation from a society full of discrimination, poverty and struggle.
Humans are social creatures, and society is made up of humans. The study of what it means to be human and the nature of human-created culture conducted in the Faculty of Letters shares a fundamental connection with the study of how to create better public spaces in society performed in the Faculty of Social Welfare. Within that connection, there are various gateways for learning about humanity and society, including literature, history, language, philosophy, religion, welfare, medical care, public health, aid, administration, information, education, childcare, and psychology, and more. All of these research avenues are available on this campus. We hope that, in time, you will join us as part of this community of learners.
Shinran was a Buddhist who lived during the 12th and 13th centuries. His teachings emphasize that salvation is not exclusive to the nobility but extends to all sentient beings, regardless of wealth or status, without discrimination. While Shinran paved the way in making Buddhism accessible to the people, he viewed those who shared the same passion and walked the same path as him, not as disciples but as fellow companions traveling together. To communicate this idea in modern times, we use the expression Living Together in Diversity.
Here at Doho University, the image we hold of future leaders is not a person who attacks and disproves others to show off their superiority, as is often the case today in the world of politics and media. While recognizing that asserting dominance leads only to resentment and conflict, we believe that the type of people who should hold leadership positions from now on are those who immerse themselves among others, build diverse connections, and collaborate to move situations forward—rather than those who simply sit at the top, issuing commands. Doho University is a place of learning that cultivates the spirit of Living Together in Diversity and strives for salvation from a society full of discrimination, poverty and struggle.
Humans are social creatures, and society is made up of humans. The study of what it means to be human and the nature of human-created culture conducted in the Faculty of Letters shares a fundamental connection with the study of how to create better public spaces in society performed in the Faculty of Social Welfare. Within that connection, there are various gateways for learning about humanity and society, including literature, history, language, philosophy, religion, welfare, medical care, public health, aid, administration, information, education, childcare, and psychology, and more. All of these research avenues are available on this campus. We hope that, in time, you will join us as part of this community of learners.