Late Rev. Dr. Yehan Numata
- Late Rev. Dr. Yehan Numata
In describing Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai, it is essential to speak of the businessman and gentleman, Yehan Numata (1897-1994), the founder of Mitutoyo Corporation.
He established a company to manufacture precise measuring instruments in 1934. His solid conviction was that the success of an enterprise depends on the harmonious association of Heaven, Earth and Human, and that the perfection of the human mind is attainable only through a well-balanced coordination of wisdom, benevolence and valor. He did everything he could, under this conviction, towards the technical improvement of measuring instrument manufacturing and the development of the human mind.
It was his belief that the attainment of world peace is possible only by the perfection of the human mind which can be educated and benefited from the teachings of the Buddha. Therefore, along with managing his business enterprise, he exerted his efforts toward the spreading and modernization of Buddhist music, pictures and teachings.
In December 1965, he had a foundation incorporated with his private funds to engage in the propagation of Buddhism, and at the same time, to be an aid towards world peace. Thus, he initiated Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai as a pubic organization.
MY PATH “Transcript from the Buddhist Culture Lecture Series - Sensoji Temple, 1975”
Simplified History of the Late Rev. Dr. Yehan Numata’s
| 1897 | Born in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan |
|---|---|
| 1916 | Moved to Hawaii as a Hongwanji overseas minister |
| 1925 | Publication of English magazine, “The Pacific World” |
| 1928 | Graduated from University of California, Graduate School |
| 1930 | Appointed as statistician in the Japanese Ministry of Resources |
| 1934 | Established the Mitutoyo Manufacturing Company |
| 1938 | Inauguration of CEO of Mitutoyo |
| 1959 | Inauguration as a board member of Musashino Jogakuin Junior & Senior High School |
| 1961 | Received "The Blue Ribbon Medals of Honor" from the Japanese Government |
| 1963 | Inauguration as a Senior Adviser of Japan Measuring Instruments Federation |
| 1965 | Establishment of the Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai Inauguration as a board member of Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai |
| 1967 | Received “4th Class, Order of the Rising Sun, Gold rays with Rosette” |
| 1968 | Inauguration as chairperson of Mitutoyo |
| 1969 | Inauguration as director of Japan Precision Measuring Instruments Manufacturers Association |
| 1977 | Received Honor of Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha Kyōgaku Grant-Making Foundations |
| 1985 | Inauguration as Executive Adviser of Mitutoyo |
| 1987 | Received Honor of Higashi Hiroshima City Medal |
| 1988 | Received honorary Ph.D. from University of Hawaii |
| 1991 | Received honorary Ph.D. from Ryukoku University |
| 1994 | Passed away at the age of 97 on May 5 |