The concept for the founding of Taisho University began when five doctors; Junjiro Takakusu, Masaharu Anesaki, Eun Maeda, Sensho Murakami and Masataro Sawayanagi, who at the time were leaders of Buddhist society proposed to all chief priests that a Buddhist university union be created. Masataro Sawayanagi was appointed as the first President of the university. His message upon taking up his appointment was as follows. “It is my hope that you grow to honestly confess to your own shortcomings and let yourself be guided by your inner Buddhist spirit with a free and pure mind until such time you are perfect of character. At the very least, I wish that you maintain a beautiful soul that glorifies the good and a bold spirit that veers away from evil.”