Japan: an unprecedented dialogue between Buddhism and Islam

An unprecedented meeting has just been held in the thousand-year-old grounds of the Miidera temple in Otsu, a historic town nestled on the shores of Lake Biwa, a few kilometers from the former imperial capital Kyoto. Orchestrated by Sakuranesia, an organization born in 2020 from the symbolic merger between Japan (‘Sakura’) and Indonesia (‘nesia’), this initiative demonstrates a growing desire for interreligious dialogue. Buddhist monks and Muslim dignitaries shared much more than rituals, laying the groundwork for a significant spiritual rapprochement.

At the heart of the venerable Tendai Temple, one of the most important religious complexes in Shiga Prefecture, participants explored their respective heritages, going beyond simple diplomatic formalities. Delegates notably addressed crucial issues such as the preservation of religious heritage and the contemporary challenges facing their communities. Between meditation sessions and moments of contemplation, representatives of the two faiths demonstrated that authentic dialogue is possible.

The event particularly resonates in the current context of relations between Japan and Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world in terms of population. This initiative is part of a broader strategy of cultural rapprochement, where spirituality serves as a bridge between people. In the serene atmosphere of the centuries-old temple, the participants laid the foundations for a cooperation destined to develop.

This spiritual convergence comes at the right time in a rapidly changing Asian geopolitical context. As the region faces growing economic and security challenges, religious soft power could well become a major diplomatic lever. Japan, keen to strengthen its alliances in Southeast Asia in the face of China’s growing influence, finds in these cultural exchanges a subtle means of consolidating its strategic partnerships. Indonesia, for its part, asserts its role as a Muslim power capable of building bridges between traditions.