A Blueprint for Buddhist Revolution: The Radical Buddhism of Seno’o Girō (1889–1961) and the Youth League for Revitalizing Buddhism

In the early decades of the twentieth century, as Japanese society became engulfed in war and increasing nationalism, the majority of Buddhist leaders and institutions capitulated to the status quo. One notable exception to this trend, however, was the Shinkō Bukkyō Seinen Dōmei (Youth League for Revitalizing Buddhism), founded on 5 April 1931. Led by Nichiren Buddhist layman Seno’o Girō and made up of young social activists who were critical of capitalism, internationalist in outlook, and committed to a pan-sectarian and humanist form of Buddhism that would work for social justice and world peace, the league’s motto was “carry the Buddha on your backs and go out into the streets and villages.” This article analyzes the views of the Youth League for Revitalizing Buddhism as found in the religious writings of Seno’o Girō to situate the movement in its social and philosophical context, and to raise the question of the prospects of “radical Buddhism” in twenty-first century Japan and elsewhere.

Must We Forgive?: Exploring the Limits and Possibilities of Forgiveness and Resentment

Conflict has marked civilization from Biblical times to the present day. Each of us, with our different and competing interests, and our desires to pursue those interests, have over time wronged another person. Not surprisingly then, forgiveness is a concern of individuals and groups¿communities, countries, religious groups, races¿yet it is a complex idea that philosophers, theologians, political scientists, and psychologists have grappled with. Some have argued that forgiveness is a therapeutic means for overcoming guilt, pain, and anger. Forgiveness is often portrayed as a coping mechanism¿how often we hear the phrase, ¿forgive and forget,¿ as an arrangement to help two parties surmount the complications of disagreement. But forgiveness is not simply a modus vivendi; the ability to forgive and conversely to ask for forgiveness, is counted as an admirable trait and virtue. This essay will explore the nature of forgiveness, which in Christian dogma is often posited as an unqualified virtue. The secular world has appropriated the Christian notion of forgiveness as such a virtue¿but are there instances wherein offering forgiveness is morally inappropriate or dangerous? I will consider the situations in which forgiveness, understood in this essay as the overcoming of resentment, may not be a virtue¿when perhaps maintaining resentment is as virtuous, if not more virtuous, than forgiving. I will explain the various ethical frameworks involved in understanding forgiveness as a virtue, and the relationship between them. I will argue that within Divine Command Theory forgiveness is a virtue¿and thus morally right¿because God commands it. This ethical system has established forgiveness as unconditional, an idea which has been adopted into popular culture. With virtue ethics in mind, which holds virtues to be those traits which benefit the person who possesses them, contributing to the good life, I will argue unqualified forgiveness is not always a virtue, as it will not always benefit the victim. Because there is no way to avoid wrongdoing, humans are confronted with the question of forgiveness with every indiscretion. Its limits, its possibilities, its relationship to one¿s character¿forgiveness is a concern of all people at some time if for no other reason than the plain fact that the past cannot be undone. I will be evaluating the idea of forgiveness as a virtue, in contrast to its counterpart, resentment. How can forgiveness be a response to evil, a way to renounce resentment, and a means of creating a positive self-narrative? And what happens when a sense of moral responsibility is impossible to reconcile with the Christian (and now, secularized imperative of) forgiveness? Is it ever not virtuous to forgive? In an attempt to answer that question I will argue that there are indeed times when forgiveness is not a virtue, specifically: when forgiveness compromises one¿s own self-respect; when it is not compatible with respect for the moral community; and when the offender is unapologetic. The kind of offense I have in mind is a dehumanizing one, one that intends to diminish another person¿s worth or humanity. These are moral injuries, to which I will argue resentment is a better response than forgiveness when the three qualifications cannot be met.

Prosthetic considerations

Implants have changed prosthodontics more than any other innovation in dentistry. Replacement of lost teeth by a fixed or removable prosthesis is considered to be a restitutio ad similem, while implants may provide a feeling of restitutio ad integrum. Implant prosthodontics means restoring function, aesthetics, and providing technology; biology and technology are combined. Placement of implants is a reconstructive, preprosthetic surgical intervention and is therefore different from most goals in oral surgery that consist of tooth extraction, treating infection and removing pathology from soft or hard tissues. Thus, implants are part of the final prosthetic treatment which encompasses functional, aesthetic and social rehabilitation. The patient's needs and functional status determine the goal of prosthetic treatment. Treatment outcomes in implant prosthodontics are survival of implants and prostheses, impact on physiological and psychological status, oral health-related impact on quality of life, and initial and maintenance costs. A variety of prosthetic solutions are available to restore the partially and completely edentulous jaw and more recently specific methods have been developed such as computer guided planning and CAD-CAM technologies. These should allow more uniform quality and passive fit of prostheses, and simultaneously enables processing of biologically well-accepted materials.

Location and dimensions of the mental foramen: a radiographic analysis by using cone-beam computed tomography

INTRODUCTION The mental foramen (MF) is an important landmark in dentistry. Knowledge of its position is central to perform block anesthesia of the mental nerve or to avoid nerve damage during surgical procedures in the premolar area of the mandible. The present radiographic study aimed at evaluating the location and dimension of the MF and measuring distances to neighboring structures by using limited cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS Sagittal, axial, and coronal CBCT images of 142 patients (26 bilateral and 116 unilateral cases) were retrospectively screened to determine the location of the MF with respect to adjacent teeth and to take linear measurements of the size of the MF and its distances to the upper and lower borders of the mandible. In addition, the course and angulation of the mental canal exiting the MF were assessed. RESULTS The majority of MF (56%) were located apically between the 2 premolars, and another 35.7% of MF were positioned below the second premolar. On average, the MF was localized 5.0 mm from the closest root of the adjacent tooth (range, 0.3-9.8 mm). The mean size of the MF showed a height of 3.0 mm and a length of 3.2 mm; however, individual cases showed large differences in height (1.8-5.1 mm) and in length (1.8-5.5 mm). All mental canals exiting the MF demonstrated an upward course in the coronal plane, with 70.1% of the mental canal presenting an anterior loop (AL) in the axial view. The mean extension of AL in cases with an AL was 2.3 mm. CONCLUSIONS This study is consistent with previous radiographic studies regarding size and location of MF and distances between MF and adjacent anatomic structures. The assessed bilateral cases showed a high intraindividual concordance for certain features when comparing right and left sides.

Incidence of anatomical variations and disease of the maxillary sinuses as identified by cone beam computed tomography: a systematic review.

PURPOSE To analyze available evidence on the incidence of anatomical variations or disease of the maxillary sinuses as identified by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in dentistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS A focused question was developed to search the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register, and CENTRAL and identify all relevant papers published between 1980 and January 19, 2013. Unpublished literature at ClinicalTrials.gov, in the National Research Register, and in the Pro-Quest Dissertation Abstracts and Thesis database was also included. Studies were included irrespective of language. These results were supplemented by hand and gray literature searches. RESULTS Twenty-two studies were identified. Twenty were retrospective cohort studies, one was a prospective cohort study, and one was a case control study. The main indication for CBCT was dental implant treatment planning, and the majority of studies used a small field of view for imaging. The most common anatomical variations included increased thickness of the sinus membrane, the presence of sinus septa, and pneumatization. Reported sinus disease frequency varied widely, ranging from 14.3% to 82%. There was a wide range in the reported prevalence of mucosal thickening related to apical pathology, the degree of lumenal opacification, features of sinusitis, and the presence of retention cysts and polyps. More pathologic findings in the maxillary sinus were reported in men than in women, and the medial wall and sinus floor were most frequently affected. CONCLUSION CBCT is used primarily to evaluate bony anatomy and to screen for overt pathology of the maxillary sinuses prior to dental implant treatment. Differences in the classification of mucosal findings are problematic in the consistent and valid assessment of health and disease of the maxillary sinus.

A STUDY OF THE ATTITUDES OF ELDERLY CONSUMERS TOWARD DENTAL CARE AND ORAL HEALTH

This paper describes a study of the attitudes of elderly consumers toward dental care and oral health. Four hundred and two respondents ages 60-97 were interviewed with a 62 item questionnaire. Attitudes were measured regarding: quality of care, sufficient utilization of care, priority of oral health, patient-provider interaction, individual control over health, powerful others control of health, and chance as the locus of control over health. Analysis of variance was performed on the sample of males and females separately. Fifty-four hypotheses were tested on each sex. Race and self-concept were excellent predictors of attitude for both sexes and SES (socioeconomic status) and self-reported health were good predictors for females. There was no statistically significant relationship between the frequency with which the elderly utilize dental care and their attitudes toward the quality of care they receive. Foremost reason for non-utilization was that of no felt need. Those selecting this reason were likely to be Anglo females, wearers of dentures, in good health. Those selecting cost as the foremost reason for non-utilization were Black, in fair health, of either sex, missing some teeth, but with no dentures. Overall attitudes toward quality of dental care were positive, despite the fact that this group was exposed to dental care in its infancy. This may suggest that the elderly recognize the importance of technological advances in dentistry. Women with low income and education levels were more likely to have positive attitudes about quality of care than other females. Attitudes about interaction between patient and provider were overall negative. The sample scored high on individual control over health, and scored lower, but nonetheless positively, on feelings that persons other than themselves are most essential to maintaining health. Overall these elderly persons did not agree that they relied on chance in matters of health. Those who did choose this locus were female, with lower SES and health status. Though males scored high on internal control of health, those with lowest scores were Mexican-American or had never been married. Sex and ethnicity were the best predictors of attitude across all measures in the study.^

Symposium for dental treatment of medically complex children: Practice based culminating experience a continuing education course

The purpose of this Continuing Education Course is to provide oral health professionals with information to address the unique dental needs of medically complex children. The objective is to train dentists to treat special needs patients so these children have more access to oral healthcare. ^ Under the auspice of Dell Children Hospital of Austin, Lisa Jacob DDS MS is administering this Continuing Education Course for dentists and dental staff from the 46 counties of central Texas served by the hospital.^ Needs assessment was determined through a survey questionnaire to collect data about the number of special needs patients seen by general dentists in Central Texas.^ In recent years, an increasing number of continuing education courses have been developed to help dentists learn techniques for providing dentistry in more understanding ways to patients with special needs. Dentists and dental staff are trained to provide care specifically in dentistry, regardless of who the patient is. This means dentists can perform a clinical examination, carry out procedures to diagnose and treat oral diseases, and provide restorations such as fillings and crowns. ^ Four prominent speakers will provide an instructional tool to address the need for dentists to increase their competence and comfort level in caring for individuals with developmental disabilities. Each speaker will address one of the most frequently encountered cases of medically complex children. The four topics selected by Dr. Lisa Jacob are Cancer, Mental Disability, Downs Syndrome, and Craniofacial Syndromes.^ The public health implications of this continuing education course are presented in providing dental service to this underserved population. When general dentist turn away patients with special needs because of lack of knowledge to treat them, these patients will, more than likely, postpone or abandon needed dental visits because of difficulties reaching pediatric dentists who may not be available in certain areas.^

El trabajo social y la cuestión ética

Nos introducimos en el debate de la ética en el Trabajo Social analizando los documentos de la Federación Internacional de Trabajadores Sociales (FITS), aprobado en Asamblea General (1994): "Declaración Internacional de principios éticos del Trabajo Social" y del que presentará en la próxima Asamblea General del 2004. Estos documentos destacan particularidades acordes al momento histórico. La otra reflexión parte del documento "Principios éticos y políticos para las organizaciones profesionales de Trabajo Social, año 2000 ,elaborado por el Comité de Asociaciones Profesionales de Trabajo Social del MERCOSUR. Desde el contexto de América Latina se sitúa en la ética ciudadana.

Calidad de vida : apertura y perspectiva filosófica

Este trabajo está orientado como apertura a la reflexión sobre un tema con implicancias en el campo de las Ciencias de la Salud, en general, y en el de la Odontología, específicamente. El concepto calidad de vida se refiere a la relación entre las capacidades a nivel biológico, psicológico y social que se alcanzan en el individuo. Nuestro aporte sigue los lineamientos de la concepción integral del ser humano, en donde la salud hace referencia a la dinámica vital contextualizada en una cultura, una época, un sistema de creencias y valores y condicionantes socio-económicos Desde la filosofía presentamos un enfoque reflexivo sobre las bases conceptuales de “calidad de vida", con la finalidad de favorecer el vínculo interdisciplinario entre la Odontología y las Ciencias Humanas.

El portafolio como herramienta para el mejoramiento de la calidad educativa

El trabajo aborda la utilización del portafolio como herramienta para el mejoramiento de la calidad educativa en alumnos universitarios que cursan la carrera de Odontología. En nuestra experiencia, con la utilización de este instrumento, hemos mejorado los resultados de las evaluaciones, y la integración de la disciplina tanto de manera transversal como longitudinal en los tres años del Ciclo de Formación Profesional.

Perspectivas en la relación odontólogo-paciente : un vínculo entre personas

El resultado de un tratamiento exitoso en Odontología depende, en parte, de una relación armónica y dinámica entre dos concepciones que remiten a la persona en el rol de efector de salud y de paciente, a la importancia que se atribuye a la enfermedad, a la salud y el ejercicio de la autonomía en una sociedad plural. Este trabajo propone, a modo de introducción, una reflexión filosófica sobre los significados que adquiere el vínculo odontólogo-paciente a partir del eje transversal de persona, desde el reconocimiento de las competencias y saberes profesionales del odontólogo, y la progresiva aparición del paciente como sujeto activo en las decisiones de su salud.

Maltrato infantil y la consulta odontológica

Los profesionales de la salud debemos estar preparados para descubrir situaciones de maltrato infantil en la consulta odontológica, como escenas de violencia, características de abandono o falta de cuidados de un niño. Su detección es un proceso complejo y delicado, para ello debemos estar orientados en el qué hacer y en el cómo hacer, cuando vemos en la práctica profesional este tipo de situaciones. Cuanto antes se reconozcan, mejores serán los resultados de la intervención profesional.

La ética y deontología profesional en el proceso de formación académica de los alumnos de la Facultad de Psicología (Universidad Nacional de La Plata)

En este artículo se analiza la situación en la formación respecto del área Ética y la Deontología Profesional de los alumnos de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Se presenta la síntesis de la investigación llevada a cabo en el marco de la Carrera de Especialización Docente (UNLP). El objetivo general de la misma fue relevar la importancia dela inclusión de conocimientos teórico-aplicados de ética en la formación de grado, a través de una indagación exploratoria de las opiniones, valoraciones y expectativas que diferentes alumnos poseen en función de la formación recibida. Todos los entrevistados coinciden en elvalor otorgado a estos conocimientos y destacan la necesidad de su inclusión obligatoria en el plan de estudios, en acuerdo con niveles exigibles de compromiso y responsabilidad social para la próxima asunción de un rol profesional

La ética y deontología profesional en el proceso de formación académica de los alumnos de la Facultad de Psicología (Universidad Nacional de La Plata)

En este artículo se analiza la situación en la formación respecto del área Ética y la Deontología Profesional de los alumnos de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Se presenta la síntesis de la investigación llevada a cabo en el marco de la Carrera de Especialización Docente (UNLP). El objetivo general de la misma fue relevar la importancia dela inclusión de conocimientos teórico-aplicados de ética en la formación de grado, a través de una indagación exploratoria de las opiniones, valoraciones y expectativas que diferentes alumnos poseen en función de la formación recibida. Todos los entrevistados coinciden en elvalor otorgado a estos conocimientos y destacan la necesidad de su inclusión obligatoria en el plan de estudios, en acuerdo con niveles exigibles de compromiso y responsabilidad social para la próxima asunción de un rol profesional

La ética y deontología profesional en el proceso de formación académica de los alumnos de la Facultad de Psicología (Universidad Nacional de La Plata)

En este artículo se analiza la situación en la formación respecto del área Ética y la Deontología Profesional de los alumnos de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Se presenta la síntesis de la investigación llevada a cabo en el marco de la Carrera de Especialización Docente (UNLP). El objetivo general de la misma fue relevar la importancia dela inclusión de conocimientos teórico-aplicados de ética en la formación de grado, a través de una indagación exploratoria de las opiniones, valoraciones y expectativas que diferentes alumnos poseen en función de la formación recibida. Todos los entrevistados coinciden en elvalor otorgado a estos conocimientos y destacan la necesidad de su inclusión obligatoria en el plan de estudios, en acuerdo con niveles exigibles de compromiso y responsabilidad social para la próxima asunción de un rol profesional