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Ryukoku University is committed to cultivating humans who can "Pursue the truth, Live for the truth, and Manifest the truth." Education at Ryukoku University will bring depth and breadth to students' lives. During their life at Ryukoku University, students will come to realize how they have been looking at the world only through their colored glasses and what a small world they have been in. Ryukoku University has a long history dating back to the Gakuryo (a Buddhist seminary) academy established in the precinct of Nishi-Hongwanji Temple in 1639. Therefore, Ryukoku University has the most extended history of university education and research in Japan, spanning over 378 years. With its roots dating from 1639, Ryukoku University is one of the oldest universities in Japan. Founded on the principles of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, the University today has seven faculties ranging from the humanities to the natural sciences. Throughout our long tradition, Ryukoku University has cultivated the trait of having a deep insight into human life, inspired by the way of life of Shinran Shonin, who lived through the tumultuous Kamakura period and established the Jodo Shinshu sect. Since its inception, Ryukoku University has continuously adhered to the spirit of Jodo Shinshu as its founding spirit. The Founding Spirit of Ryukoku University is the spirit of Pure Land Buddhism (Jodo Shinshu). Pure Land Buddhism's actual teaching spirit is none other than the vow of Amida Buddha aspiring to awake all living beings from ignorance to enlightenment. Ignorance means the state of self-centered beings who create suffering without awakening to the truth. Enlightenment is the state of beings who are genuinely at ease, having eliminated the self-centered mind and awakening to reality as it is. Illuminated by the light of Amida Buddha's aspiration, humans become aware of the self-centered mind and are free from the inflexible view that absolutizes their thoughts, opinions, and value judgments, and finally gains a broad and flexible vision of wisdom. Ryukoku University, embracing the teachings of Shinran Shonin, who lived in the vow of Amida Buddha to follow the path of truth, aspires to educate students to become people who "seek the truth, live in truth, and reveal the truth." The following five principles of mind express how this is to be achieved. These principles are the heart of the founding spirit of Ryukoku University and the foundation of how we are to live our lives. For young people, tradition may sound old-fashioned. As we live through the realities of life filled with contradictions and problems, our tradition continues to be renewed. Ryukoku University's trait to respect "innovation" and "ambition" is born from its tradition. Creation of new opportunities for knowledge is one of the most significant features that Ryukoku University is proud of, as demonstrated by the tremendous educational reformation during the Meiji period, the Otani Expedition known for its research exploration in the Silk Road, projects to promote advanced research during the post-war period, and the founding of the first Faculty of Science and Engineering, as well as the first Faculty of Agriculture in Buddhist universities in Japan. However, the most significant characteristic of Ryukoku University is its atmosphere to create an environment to live harmoniously with others. In the modern world, people are becoming more and more exclusive of others. But at Ryukoku University, we emphasize altruism and foster the spirit of cherishing all lives. "Altruism" is the opposite of "exclusiveness." Buddhism has long been cultivating the spirit of altruism and transmitting its importance. Our students will be aware of the importance of mutual help and support as they learn at Ryukoku University. Real learning begins when a student realizes how ignorant they have been about the true meanings of life. Ryukoku University educates students who aspire to lead a life of truth, utterly devoid of any falsehood and hypocrisy. View full university