In this issue of Pacific World: Journal of the Institute of Buddhist Studies, I’m happy to introduce a new feature, Guest Articles. In this section of the journal we highlight the work of scholars who have made significant contributions to the field of Buddhist studies. I can think of no better scholar to commence our first issue than Dr. Richard K. Payne, Yehan Numata Professor of Japanese Buddhist Studies, under whose editorial leadership Pacific World has grown into one of the highest quality academic journals of Buddhist studies.