Most Popular Books by Daisaku Ikeda

“Wisdom and compassion are intimately linked and mutually reinforcing.Compassion in Buddhism does not involve the forcible suppression ofour natural emotions, our likes and dislikes. Rather, it is the realization thateven those whom we dislike have qualities that can contribute to our livesand can afford us opportunities to grow in our own humanity.”—Daisaku IkedaPeace lies along the path of humanity''s growth and inner transformation. With this as a major theme, Daisaku Ikeda offers fresh insights and new ways of thinking in each of his seven US university lectures collected in A New Way Forward.These explorations on the power of dialogue, the interdependence of all life, the importance of developing in one''s character the attributes of wisdom, courage, and compassion, and other topics, stir the heart and mind and lead to the inevitable conclusion that each individual holds the key to a lasting peace.

Prejudice linked to an event from the past threatens the friendship that Akiko and her brother have made with a boy on their new island home. Suggested level: junior.

The book is in the form of a dialogue between an eminent astronomer (Wickramasinghe) and a leading Buddhist scholar (Ikeda) which probes some of the deepest aspects of our existence. As the dialogue unfolds both the astronomerb s view of the world and the Buddhist viewpoint are expounded, side by side, with interesting comparisons between the two sets of basic tenets.

À première vue, l''humanisme occidental, le bouddhisme japonais et la science moderne ont si peu en commun que l''idée même de rechercher un terrain d''entente par le dialogue semble trop idéaliste. Seul un homme du calibre de daisaku ikeda pourrait mener à bien un tel projet. Faisant fi du cliché et des réponses faciles, il aborde les grandes questions auxquelles la société d''aujourd''hui est confrontée: cancer, sida, mort dignement, fécondation in vitro, éthique biomédicale... Les réponses apportées par René Simard, biologiste moléculaire et généticien, et Guy Bourgeault, bioéthicien , sont perspicaces et convaincantes. Leurs discussions ont franchi les barrières linguistiques et culturelles pour présenter une vision du potentiel - et des défis inhérents - à l''être humain.

Nichiren Daishonin''s writings provide a practical formula for enabling all people to achieve victory in every aspect of their lives and attain an unshakable state of happiness.This volume of Learning from Nichiren''s Writings: The Teachings for Victory contains SGI President Daisaku Ikeda''s lectures on nine of Nichiren''s letters:“On the Real Aspect of the Gohonzon”“The Four Virtues and the Four Debts of Gratitude”“A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering”“Flowering and Bearing Grain”“General Stone Tiger”“Reply to Niiama”“The Workings of Brahma and Shakra”“Reply to Yasaburo”“The Three Obstacles and Four Devils”President Ikeda elucidates the importance of studying Nichiren''s writings as the foundation of Nichiren Buddhism as practiced by the Soka Gakkai International. His lectures bring Nichiren''s immense wisdom, compassion, and courage into focus for the present age. In reading and studying these lectures, we learn how to apply in daily life Nichiren''s profound philosophy for inner transformation and victory for both ourselves and others. The Teachings for Victory will empower you to develop the strength and wisdom to bring forth your inherent potential.

A Lifelong Quest for Peace: A Dialogue will provided readers the opportunity to get to know Dr. Pauling and Mr. Ikeda, as they seek to provide pointers to help the young people of today solve the problems of the twenty-first century.

For Time magazine Toynbee was ’an international sage’ and certainly in the same bracket as ‘Einstein, Schweitzer or Bertrand Russell’. Daisaku Ikeda is a figure of global stature, the spiritual leader of a worldwide lay Buddhist organization devoted to the promotion of education, culture and peace. Between 1972 and 1974 Toynbee and Ikeda discussed many of the vital issues which confronted their societies in the early 1970s, all of which remain current and significant. Indeed, topics such as the problems of pollution, dwindling natural resources, conflict and war, the role of religion, and population growth, are even more pressing than they were thirty years ago. In this influential and inspiring volume, which records their wide-ranging conversations, the challenge issued by both men is framed as follows: will humankind choose to salvage its destiny by a revolution in thinking and morals? Or will disaster ensue if it pursues its present course towards self-destruction and the despoliation of the environment? While recognizing that our survival is threatened by the imbalance between human immaturity and technological achievement, the optimistic message of this classic dialogue is that man-made evils have a man-made cure.

In This Book Two Lay Religious Leaders Engage In A Dialogue Which Has Many Levels: It Is A Conversation Between An Indian And A Japanese; Between A Hindu And A Buddhist; And Most Importantly Between Two Global Citizens Who Have Spent The Better Part Of Their Lives Advocating Peace, Harmony And Global Consciouness.

Beginning with the events immediately following the dark days after the death of Shakyamuni and continuing over a period of 1,000 years, this dynamic tome covers a vast and complex series of events and developments in the history of Buddhism. Through a thorough examination of its early development in India, a new light is cast on little-known aspects of Buddhist history and its relevance to the understanding of Buddhism today. Topics include the formation of the Buddhist canon, the cultural exchange between the East and West, and the spirit of the Lotus Sutra.

"Global Civilization" emerged from a series of conversations between two peace advocates of Japanese and Iranian origin. It covers the encounters between Buddhist and Islamic civilizations from the 7th century to the present. For all their cultural differences, Buddhism and Islam share a surprising number of intrinsic similarities. The topics discussed include such diverse subjects as the nature of religious faith today, global ideological terrorism, religious fanatacism and universal human rights. Ikeda and Tehranian, two important representatives of their respective faiths, propose dialogue as the most effective method of conflict resolution at interpersonal, intra-national and international levels. It is a call for tolerance, for dialogue and for peace.

Volume six of a series, this text presents the final installment in the story of the founding of Soka Gakkai, an association of followers of the teaching of the Japanese Buddhist leader, Nichiren Daishonin (1222-82).

Always concerned about the most basic problems confrontinghumanity, SGI President Ikeda here once again exploresthe four universal sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, anddeath. In conversation with doctors and nurses, the SGIleader skillfully weaves Buddhist insights with the practicalknowledge and personal experiences of his dialoguepartners.??What can we learn from our illnesses???How is the patient''s attitude crucial to healing???How do parents affect their children''s health???How much are our lives determined by our genes? Whatare constructive ways to approach aging???What are keys for effective health care???What roles do faith and SGI activities play in a long andfulfilling life?The answers to these and other questions in On Health andLong Life provide valuable perspectives to caring for themost valuable of treasures: our lives themselves.

''The natural sympathy and understanding of people everywhere must be the soil in which the new humanism can thrive.'' For Daisaku Ikeda, whose words these are, education has long been one of the fundamental priorities of his work and teaching. His emphasis on the intellectual legacy bequeathed to humanity by the great teachers of civilization is in this volume encapsulated by the notion of a ''new humanism'': a significant residue ofwisdom that in the right circumstances may be passed on to future generations, expanding horizons, making connections between different cultures and encouraging fresh insights and new discoveries across the globe. These circumstances are perhaps most fully realised in the context of universities. In promoting his core values of education and peace, the author has delivered lectures and speeches at more than twenty-five academies, colleges and research institutes worldwide. This stimulating collection, which includes the author''s most recent lectures, ranges widely across topics as diverse as art, religion, culture and time, and draws creatively on the sages of ancient India, China and Japan as well as on visionary thinkers from every nation, including Tolstoy, Victor Hugo and Gandhi.

Mikhail Gorbachev and Daisaku Ikeda are contemporaries raised in different cultures: Gorbachev is a statesman whose origins are the Marx-inspired world of communism while Ikeda is Buddhist inspired by the thirteenth century Japanese sage, Nichiren. Moral Lessons of the Twentieth Century emerged from a series of conversations between these two men. Together they explore their experiences of life amidst the turmoil of the twentieth century and together they search for a common ethical basis for future development. They conclude that values are born of culture and that peace, progress and social justice can only be achieved through sincere communication and cultural exchange. As the new century begins, they have sought to turn the spotlight on the challenges which face humanity. The book is a call for dialogue in pursuit of values that bridge culture and time.

An intimate portrayal of one of history''s most important and obscure figures, the Buddha, this chronicle reveals him not as a mystic, but a warm and engaged human being that was very much the product of his turbulent times. This biographical account traces the path of Siddhartha Gautama as he walked away from the pleasure palace that had been his home and joined a growing force of wandering monks, ultimately making his way towards enlightenment beneath the bodhi tree, and spending the next 45 years sharing his insights along the banks of the Ganges. The Buddhist canon is expertly harvested to provide insight into the Buddha''s inner life and to grant a better understanding of how he came to play his pivotal role as founder of one of the world''s largest religions.

''The seas do not separate us; rather, they bring us closer together.'' Daisaku Ikeda''s opening words to this consistently wide-ranging dialogue set the scene for what follows. For the theme of the book is that of the meeting of minds that follows interaction between peoples who might be geographically distant but who share much in common. Reflecting on his memories of standing on the shores of the Bosphorus, gazing at the adjacent coastlines of Europe and Asia, Ikeda explores the symbol of diversity represented by the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul. The city in which his interlocutor, distinguished social anthropologist Nur Yalman, grew up, remains an icon of ethnic plurality. This reflection leads the authors towards lively exploration of the customs and cultural mores shared by Japan and Turkey: two countries which historically stand at opposite ends of the great trading route that was the Silk Road, but which have old traditions of reciprocity and friendship.At the heart of this book lies these two men''s mutual commitment to what they characterise as ''soft peace'', or the attempt to resolve conflict through empathic engagement with those who hold alternative views. Touching on such vital themes as inter-religious dialogue, education, the environment and those common aspects of humanity which all persons share, "A Passage to Peace" represents an inspiring contribution to the modern discourse on ethics, peace studies and religion.

Daisaku Ikeda, president of the worldwide Soka Gakkai International, elucidates the importance of studying Nichiren''s writings as the foundation of Nichiren Buddhism as practiced by the Soka Gakkai International. His lectures bring Nichiren''s immense wisdom, compassion, and courage into focus for the present age. In reading and studying these lectures, we learn how to apply in daily life Nichiren''s profound philosophy for inner transformation and victory for both ourselves and others. The Hope-Filled Teachings of Nichiren will empower you to find hope and develop the strength and wisdom to bring forth your inherent potential.

Addressing questions such as What constitutes a meaningful life? and What is true happiness?, this guide to Nichiren Buddhism presents the spiritual practice as a teaching of hope that can answer these and other important questions of modern life. Buddhist teacher Daisaku Ikeda offers insights into The Opening of the Eyes, a longer treatise written by Nichiren that calls for individuals to base themselves on a spirit of compassion and to fight for the happiness of others, regardless of the circumstances. Ikeda’s simple and straightforward commentary brings this integral writing to life for a contemporary readership. Through the text and the accompanying commentary, readers will not will discover a philosophy of inner transformation that will help them find deep and lasting happiness for themselves and for others.

Human revolution--the inner transformation of the individual that produces actual change in their lives--is a defining concept of Nichiren Buddhism, practiced by millions worldwide. In this series of lectures, Daisaku Ikeda breaks down twelve key aspects of human revolution and provides inspiration and guidance for people to find peace and happiness for themselves and others.“Changing our heart is not a matter of doing something that will only temporarily lift our mood or make us feel better, without changing our reality,” he writes. “A true change in our heart is more profound; genuine inner change produces actual change in our lives. Deepening our ''heart''—our life state—is the true value of our religion of human revolution. When we speak of obtaining benefit through our Buddhist practice, we are ultimately referring to our inner transformation at the deepest level.”

This introduction to Nichiren Buddhism explores the philosophical intricacies of life and reveals the wonder inherent in the phases of birth, aging, and death. Core concepts of Nichiren Buddhism, such as the 10 worlds and the nine consciousnesses, illustrate the profundity of human existence. This book provides Buddhists with the tools they need to fully appreciate the connectedness of all beings and to revolutionize their spiritual lives based on this insight. Also explored are how suffering can be transformed to contribute to personal fulfillment and the well-being of others and how modern scientific research accords with ancient Buddhist views. Ultimately, this is both a work of popular philosophy and a book of compelling, compassionate inspiration for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike that fosters a greater understanding of Nichiren Buddhism.

Daisaku Ikeda, who offers spiritual leadership to 12 million Soka Gakkai Buddhists throughout the world, responds to the complicated issues facing American young people in a straightforward question-and-answer format. He addresses topics that include building individual character, the purpose of hard work and perseverance, family and relationships, tolerance, and preservation of the environment. Written from a Buddhist perspective, this collection of answers to life’s questions offers timeless wisdom to people of all faiths.

Young people are the hope of the future. Their passion and power can usher in an age of hope and respect for all people. Over many years, Daisaku Ikeda--president of the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist association and spiritual leader for millions--has often shared with youth the lessons of life and faith that he himself has learned.The universal messages in You Were Born to Win will inspire youth of all ages and all faiths to find fulfillment and happiness and lead a life of purpose.

Whether through lyrical celebrations of the wonders of nature; paeans to the steadfastness of women; or salutations to the world leaders who have in their various ways provided inspiration to his lifelong devotion to the causes of peace, justice and education, Daisaku Ikeda in his poems expresses unwavering commitment to the development of a humanistic global culture. These translations, the first of a three-volume collection and based on the Japanese Complete Works of Daisaku Ikeda (Ikeda Daisaku zenshu), cover the years 1945-2007, and explore the many subjects to which the leader of the Soka Gakkai International has devoted his ''poetic heart and mind.'' The translators have sought to reproduce the rhythms and timbres of a voice, which- though influenced by the likes of Whitman, Defoe, Dumas, Ibsen, Emerson and Shelley- is yet distinctive and unique. Sometimes the poet adopts a simple vernacular note; at other times the compression associated with Japanese poeic forms haiku and waka. But at all times the poetry maintains a stately rhythm that reflects the dignity of ordinary language and expression. This collection will delight readers familiar with the prose writings of the author as well as those coming to his work for the first time. The poems within it speak, with freedom and feeling, of a world where genuine poetry reigns supreme- and of a world where poetic perception becomes a perception of interconnectedness; between friends. between humanity and nature, or between humanity and the cosmos.

China now attracts global attention in direct proportion to its increasing economic and geopolitical power. But for millennia, the philosophy which has shaped the soul of China is not modern Communism, or even new forms of capitalism, but rather Confucianism. And one of the most striking phenomena relating to China''s ascendancy on the world stage is a burgeoning interest, throughout Asia and beyond, in the humanistic culture and values that underlie Chinese politics and finance: particularly the thought of Confucius passed on in the Analects. In this stimulating conversation, two leading thinkers from the Confucian and Buddhist traditions discuss the timely relevance of a rejuvenated Confucian ethics to some of the most urgent issues in the modern world: Sino/Japanese/US relations; the transformation of society through education and dialogue; and the role of world religions in promoting human flourishing. Exploring correspondences between the Confucian and Buddhist world-views, the interlocutors commit themselves to a view of spirituality and religion that, without blurring cultural difference, is focused above all on the ''universal heart'': on harmony between people and nature that leads to peace and to a hopeful future for all humanity.

From the Japanese word meaning "to create value," this book presents a fresh perspective on the question of the ultimate purpose of education. Mixing American pragmatism and the Buddhist philosophy of respect for all life, the goal of Soka education is the lifelong happiness of the learner. Rather than offering practical classroom techniques, this book speaks to the emotional heart of both the teacher and the student. With input from philosophers and activists from several cultures, it advances the conviction that the true purpose of education is to create a peaceful world and to develop the individual character of each student in order to achieve that goal. This revised edition contains four new chapters that further elaborate on how to unlock self-motivated learning and how to empower the learner to make a difference in their communities and the world.

Unique behind-the-scenes account of the Camp David peace talks.

Nichiren Daishonin''s writings provide a practical formula for enabling all people to achieve victory in every aspect of their lives and attain an unshakable state of happiness.This volume of Learning from Nichiren''s Writings: The Teachings for Victory contains two commemorative lectures (November 18 and January 26) by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda in addition to lectures on nine of Nichiren''s letters:“Early Desires Are Enlightenment”“The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra”“Letter to Horen”“Encouragement to a Sick Person”“The Two Kinds of Faith”“The Gift of Rice”“On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins”“The Great Battle”“On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land”President Ikeda elucidates the importance of studying Nichiren''s writings as the foundation of Nichiren Buddhism as practiced by the Soka Gakkai International. His lectures bring Nichiren''s immense wisdom, compassion, and courage into focus for the present age. In reading and studying these lectures, we learn how to apply in daily life Nichiren''s profound philosophy for inner transformation and victory for both ourselves and others.The Teachings for Victory will empower you to develop the strength and wisdom to bring forth your inherent potential.

In a spontaneously wide-ranging conversation one winter evening in Japan, sociologist of religion Bryan Wilson and Buddhist philosopher Daisaku Ikeda recognized the importance of explaining and learning about their respective worldviews. "Human Values in a Changing World" is the record of their further exchanges on how they see the religious response to the human condition. Their contrasting approaches - one, as an academic, and the other, as a lay Buddhist - allow for a constructive critique of preconceptions otherwise unexamined in their own cultural contexts."There is an intimate connection between faith and the fruits of commitment," Wilson says at one point. To which Ikeda responds that while the benefits of faith to momentary happiness are perhaps not the core value of a religion, they can inspire and lead people to become aware of that core value or fundamental truth. The two men''s observations on the origins of religious sensibilities move from the spiritual and the moral to the politics of private and public life. Although published some years ago, "Human Values in a Changing World" addresses topics and issues which are of perennial importance to human flourishing, including: sexual morality, the limits of tolerance and religious freedom, the future of the family, the belief in an afterlife, and the idea of sin.

In the nineteenth century, Nietzsche famously announced that God was dead. In the twentieth century, increasing reliance on science and technology led to a widespread rejection of belief on the grounds of its irrationality. Yet religion has not died. In fact, the opposite has occurred: it has persisted and proliferated. Despite the relentless pursuit of scientific advancement, in the twenty-first century we now see religious influence everywhere. In this wide-ranging dialogue, two leading commentators on religion address - from their different but complementary traditions of Christianity and Buddhism - the continuing appeal of spirituality to people eager to explore fundamental questions of meaning. The authors indicate that science, for all its benefits, has limits of explanation. It may be able to show how, but not necessarily why. Yet belief too must not go unchallenged, since, as Ikeda says, ''religion can become either a medicine or a poison''. What then is the proper role of religion in a world plagued by intolerance and extremism? The authors point to its place in dialogue, education and peacebuilding. They emphasise the centrality of non-violence, and the inspiring examples of Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. In so doing they recount formative experiences of involvement in the civil rights movement and protest against Vietnam (Cox) and personal exposure to the misery and destruction of war (Ikeda). Their joint vision of a just and true religious sensibility makes a vital contribution to the fields of religion, peace studies and ethics.

In this wide-ranging and controversial series of conversations Daisaku Ikeda, Japanese leader of the world''s largest lay Buddhist organization, the Soka Gakkai, presses both science and mysticism into the service of the Human Revolution and the delineation of the way foreword. In animated discussion he explores the implication of recent astronomical and cosmological findings with the respected astronomer Masayoshi Kiguchi and journalist Eiichi Shimura, clarifying their meaning for the world in the light of Buddhist wisdom. Drawing on their pooled knowledge of philosophy, science and the history of mankind, the participants range over diverse topics as they explore how the external universe of matter mirrors the internal universe of spirit. This fascinating book provides much food for thought and a riveting, novel approach to the question of man''s place and function in the universe. -- From publisher''s description.

From these touching personal essays, written some fifty years ago, wegain not only new insights into Daisaku Ikeda''s opposition to war, fascism, andall forces that diminish the value of life but a new appreciationfor this man from humble beginnings whose commitment to peaceremained unbending until his passing in 2023 at age ninety-five.

Gleaned from more than sixty years of Daisaku Ikeda''s works, thisrevised edition adds new selections that further provide a windowinto the SGI president''s thought and philosophy. His words are aboundless source of inspiration, hope, and courage for a worldincreasingly beset with sorrow and suffering.Chapters in this volume:“What Is True Happiness?”“Developing a Life State of Happiness”“The Practice for Transforming Our State of Life”“&‘It Is the Heart That Is Important''”“Transforming Suffering Into Joy”“The Principle of Cherry, Plum, Peach, and Damson”“Happiness for Both Ourselves and Others”“Facing Illness”“Creating a Brilliant Final Chapter in Life”“Joy in Both Life and Death”