An Article about the Fifth Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium, “Kokoro and the Corona Crisis,” Was Published in the Kyoto Shimbun Newspaper

An article about the Fifth Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium, “Kokoro and the Corona Crisis” (held online on February 21st, 2021), was published in the morning edition of Kyoto Shimbun Newspaper dated March 23rd, 2021 (Japanese version only).

The article appeared in the section “COVID-19 Pandemic and Culture.” The Fifth Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium was introduced as a gathering to consider the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the human mind. The main points of each lecture and general discussion were addressed.

First, Prof. Taro Yamamoto (Professor, Nagasaki University)discussed a viewpoint that emphasizes “symbiosis” between humans and viruses, and social change accelerated by the spread of the COVID-19. Next, Prof. Seiji Kumagai (Associate Professor, KRC, Kyoto University) spoke on the importance of considering the COVID-19 crisis as an issue of “Kokoro” through the Buddhist way of thinking. In the third lecture, Prof. Yasuhiro Tanaka (Professor, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University) explained his insight on how the COVID-19 pandemic triggered the emergence of original vulnerability that each of us or our society potentially has. Finally, during the general discussion, their dialogue on the change in physical and psychological “proximity” brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic was introduced.

The report on this symposium is available at the following site:
http://kokoro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/2020kokoroinitiative_en/

2021/05/12