Many Japanese universities define the goal of their education，　not as fostering the　“character” of their students，　but as creating　“human resources” that are useful for the functioning of society。 This is treating humans，　not as human beings，　but as tools。 This is none other than the mechanization and dehumanization of human beings。 It is becoming increasingly evident that contemporary society，　in all of its aspects，　is experiencing the loss of humanity。 Although this should be clear to everyone，　it does not become an issue。 And the fact that it does not become an issue is the biggest problem of all。

Under such circumstances，　people of contemporary Japan have lost sight of what it is that makes them human。 They are unable to live as genuine human beings and have ultimately become unable to understand what it means to be human。 Once they realize that they are the same as machines，　humans，　inasmuch as they are truly human，　will lose all enthusiasm，　and lose all sense of meaning，　in living as human beings。 Although they may be praised as performing better than a machine，　humans who are genuinely human will never find any joy in such praise。 Once one realizes that one is divided into self that knows that one is a being treated，　not as a human being，　but as a machine，　and the self that is actually acting like a machine，　it will surely result in a split personality。　

It can be said that the numerous strange and tragic incidents that Japanese youths have recently committed have their cause in the split personality that the conditions outlined above have brought about。 It is precisely in such age that education for nurturing the human　“mind” is necessary。 It is here that the issues of the opportunities and challenges of an education for nurturing the human mind，　that is to say Buddhist education，　are to be found。　

The Challenge of Buddhist Education