Citing Buddhist teachings, which include mercy for...

Citing Buddhist teachings, which include mercy for others, the Buddhist sect known as Tendai which dates from the Heian period (794-1185), has called for the abolishment of capital punishment. It was believed to be the first time that a centuries-old Buddhist sect had publicly expressed an opinion on capital punishment. The announcement followed the release of a report by an advisory committee on capital punishment, chaired by Shozen Kumoi of the Tendai sect, whose main temple, Enryakuji, is located on Mt. Hiei in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. The report also proposed adopting a system of life imprisonment without parole, revising or establishing laws to help crime victims and providing more religious instruction. In the Buddhist community, the Otani sect of the Shinshu, whose main temple in Higashi Honganji in Kyoto, once released a statement calling for the suspensions of executions.