Rev. Dr. T.K. Nakagaki
Rev. Dr. T.K. Nakagaki (who goes by Rev. TK because, as he says, it’s just easier), became involved in the Interfaith Center from its earliest days, soon after he moved to New York. Bawa Jain, of the World Council of Religious Leaders, reached out to T.K. in an effort to diversify the religions being represented by the Interfaith Center early on, and he’s been an active member in its programs ever since, now serving as one of the Vice-Chairs of its board.
For Rev. TK, interfaith work is essential for maintaining harmony between religious groups in New York City. He finds the work being done by the Interfaith Center essential in not only increasing understanding among religious groups, but also of religious groups, and hopes personally that the Interfaith Center’s work is helping to increase understanding and respect of the Eastern religions represented in New York.
This maintenance of harmony is similarly his goal in his role as president of the Buddhist Council of New York. Calling himself a “freelance priest,” Rev. TK finds that not being affiliated with any specific temple allows him to serve on the Buddhist Council from an unbiased position, which can be helpful when attempting to manage internal issues in the Buddhist community, as well as when the Buddhist community is attempting to interface with the wider New York community. Not being affiliated also allows him to participate in interfaith events, such as panel discussions and dialogues, through the Interfaith Center and other interfaith and multifaith organizations across the City as a representative of a broader “Eastern” religious voice.
Rev. Dr. Nakagaki is a Vice Chair on the Board of Directors of The Interfaith Center of New York.
