Born in Kyoto, Japan, in 1945, Most Rev. Koshin Ohtani is the 24th Monshu of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, the head temple for approximately ten thousand temples throughout Japan and some two hundred temples around the world, and the head minister of the Nishi Hongwanji. A graduate of Tokyo University, he also completed a M.A. at Ryukoku University, Kyoto, and another M.A. at Tokyo University. He is the author of numerous Buddhist works, a regular participant at international conferences, and the director of the Japanese Association for Prison Chaplains.