Rev. Dr. Yehan Numata
Rev. Dr. Yehan Numata : Industrialist, Humanitarian, Buddhist Patron
- Late Rev. Dr. Yehan Numata
In describing Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, 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 Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai 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 | Relocated to Hawaii as a Hongwanji minister |
| 1925 | Published the English magazine, “The Pacific World” |
| 1928 | Graduated with Masters Degree from University of California, Berkeley |
| 1930 | Appointed as statistician in the Japanese Ministry of Resources |
| 1934 | Established the Mitutoyo Manufacturing Company |
| 1938 | Appointed CEO of Mitutoyo |
| 1959 | Appointed as a board member of Musashino Jogakuin Junior & Senior High School |
| 1961 | Received "The Blue Ribbon Medals of Honor" from the Japanese Government |
| 1963 | Appointed as a Senior Adviser of Japan Measuring Instruments Federation |
| 1965 | Establishment of the Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai Appointed as a board member of Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai |
| 1967 | Received “4th Class, Order of the Rising Sun, Gold rays with Rosette” |
| 1968 | Appointed as chairperson of Mitutoyo |
| 1969 | Appointed as director of Japan Precision Measuring Instruments Manufacturers Association |
| 1977 | Received Honor of Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha Kyōgaku Grant-Making Foundations |
| 1985 | Appointed as Executive Adviser of Mitutoyo |
| 1987 | Received Higashi Hiroshima City Medal |
| 1988 | Appointed 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 |