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Japan's largest Buddhist sect to start suicide hotline With more
than 30,000 people taking their own lives every year, the
Jodo-Shinshu Honganji sect, Japan's largest Buddhist sect based
in Kyoto's Shimogyo Ward, is setting up a new suicide prevention
center in April.

Many monks believe that those who commit suicide are violating
the teachings of Buddhism and wasting their lives, so it is
unusual for a religious group to embark on this kind of
organization-wide initiative.

The group conducted a survey on suicide prevention on some 10,000
affiliated temples in 2008, collecting data from 26 percent. The
results revealed that over 80 percent of those surveyed did not
take any particular measures to prevent suicides or support
bereaved families, while many said that they wanted to help, but
didn't know how.

The organization also received enquiries from citizens' groups,
saying that there are many people who would like to talk to
religious workers in times of trouble.

As a result, the sect has decided to set up a new telephone
hotline, aiming to assist callers by understanding and easing
their pains, rather than just talking them out of their suicidal
wishes.

The group plans to train new counselors, regardless of their
occupation or religious affiliation, by autumn this year.

"We would like to establish a center which reflects the
advantages of Kyoto, a religious center," said Yutaka Kanazawa,
an assistant researcher with the Honganji's research institute.

In order to raise public awareness on the initiative, the
organization will hold a free forum at its main temple
Nishi-Honganji in Shimogyo Ward on Feb. 
5. It will also accept applications for counselor training
between Feb. 5 and 7. Inquiries are accepted at 075-371-9244.

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Finally!!!!



Dan

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