Sulak Sivaraksa of Thailand Receives 28th Niwano Peace Prize

KYOTO, Japan, July 23, 2011 -

The Niwano Peace Foundation awarded the 28th Niwano Peace Prize
to Sulak Sivaraksa of Thailand on July 23 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.

In a ceremony at Rissho Kosei-kai’s Kyoto Fumon Hall in Kyoto,
Sulak received an award certificate, a medal and a cash prize of 20
million yen.

Born in Thailand in 1933 to a family of Chinese ancestry, Sulak
was educated in Thailand, England and Wales. He returned to
Thailand in 1961. His long career has seen him use 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). He has authored more than 100 books and
monographs in Thai and English.

In selecting Sulak as an awardee for 2011, the Peace Prize
Committee said he is “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, according to the
committee.

Sulak said in his acceptance speech: “We must learn to respect
nature and all sentient beings — not take them to be resources to
be exploited for short-term profit or gain. We must also realize
that the latest scientific and technological developments may not
always be appropriate as indicated clearly by the Fukushima Daiichi
Nuclear Power Station.”

Niwano Peace Prize

The Niwano Peace Prize was established in 1983 to honor
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.

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.

Contact:
Tadashi Takatani
Niwano Peace Foundation
Tel: +81-3-3226-4371
Fax: +81-3-3226-1835
E-mail: peaceprize@npf.or.jp
URL: href="www.npf.or.jp/english/index.html">www.npf.or.jp/english/index.html

.