"Engaged Buddhist" Sulak Sivaraksa of Thailand to receive 28th Niwano Peace Prize

TOKYO, February 28, 2011 - The Niwano Peace Foundation will award the 28th Niwano Peace Prize to
Sulak Sivaraksa of Thailand in recognition of his contribution to a new
understanding of peace, democracy and development and to environmental
preservation based on the core principles of his Buddhist faith.

An award presentation ceremony will take place in Tokyo on May 19. In
addition to an award certificate, Sulak will receive a medal and 20 million
yen.

Born in 1933 in Thailand to a family of Chinese ancestry, Sulak was
educated in Thailand, England and Wales in law and other disciplines. He
returned to Thailand in 1961. His long career has seen him using his
intellectual gifts to propel the concept and movement of "engaged Buddhism."
He has worked as a teacher, scholar, publisher, activist and founder of many
organizations, including the International Network of Engaged Buddhists
(INEB).

In selecting Sulak as an awardee for 2011, the Peace Prize Committee said
he is "a voice of reason and ethics" and "intellectual enough to persuade
people to promote the importance of social awareness among Buddhists all over
the world." Sulak's intelligent advocacy for the environment is another
important reason to honor him, who speaks forcefully against environmental
destruction, promoting environmental preservation and environmental justice,
according to the committee.

Niwano Peace Prize

The Niwano Peace Prize was established in 1983 to honor and encourage
individuals and organizations that have contributed significantly to
inter-religious understanding and cooperation, thereby furthering the cause
of world peace. To avoid undue emphasis on any particular religion or region,
nominations are solicited from some 700 people and organizations,
representing 125 countries. The prize is named in honor of the founder and
first president of the lay Buddhist organization Rissho Kosei-kai, Nikkyo
Niwano.

Niwano Peace Foundation

The Niwano Peace Foundation was chartered in 1978 to contribute to the
realization of world peace and the enhancement of a culture of peace. The
foundation promotes research and other activities based on a religious
spirit, and serves the cause of peace in such fields as education, science,
religion and philosophy. The Niwano Peace Foundation is a
government-recognized charitable organization. Contributions are
tax-deductible.

    Contact:
    (Mr.) Tadashi Takatani
    Niwano Peace Foundation
    Tel: +81-3-3226-4371
    Fax: +81-3-3226-1835
    E-mail: t.takatani@npf.or.jp
    URL: www.npf.or.jp/english

(Mr.) Tadashi Takatani, Niwano Peace Foundation, +81-3-3226-4371, +81-3-3226-1835 (fax); t.takatani at npf.or.jp