Tokyo, Japan - Hisao Inagaki (age 79), Professor Emeritus of Ryukoku University (Kyoto, Japan) was the recipient of this year’s 43rd Bukkyo Dendo Distinguished Service Award.  The award is presented by the Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai to those who have made a significant contribution to the promotion of Buddhism.  After receiving his PhD from the University of London, Inagaki taught Buddhism at the university before returning to Japan to become a professor at Ryukoku. He also served as a visiting professor at University of California (Berkeley), University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Leiden University in Holland. Aside from his teaching career, Inagaki also held offices for the International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies and has written books including A Dictionary of Japanese Buddhist Terms, A Glossary of Zen Terms as well as many other translation works on Jodo Shinshu.