ADDRESS OF PAUL VI
TO THE BUDDHIST RELIGIOUS LEADERS FROM JAPAN

Monday, 1 July 1968

Dear friends from Japan,

We are very happy to welcome you to the Vatican, because you come from so far, and from a land which We love and admire very much.

In your travels you have made the acquaintance of many peoples, and We hope that you have found that religious adherence is an important factor in the lives of the citizens of the many countries you have visited. As religious representatives of your people, you have demonstrated to others that religion does play an important role in Japan. Unless men believe in God and recognize that the human family is one under one God, respect and understanding, as well as brotherly cooperation, will be lacking. Visits such as yours are precious because by them people get to know one another to the mutual benefit of all.

We ask you to take our most cordial greetings to your people in Japan, and to assure them that We have a great affection for them. We pray Almighty God to bless your land with prosperity, happiness and peace.