Life An Enigma, a Precious Jewel

by Daisaku Ikeda, Charles S. Terry (Translator)

Mint condition. Never opened.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Philosophy

230 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1982

About the author

Daisaku Ikeda was a Buddhist philosopher, peacebuilder, educator, author and poet. He was the third president of the Soka Gakkai lay Buddhist organization and the founding president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), which is today one of the world's largest and most diverse lay Buddhist organizations, promoting a philosophy of character development and social engagement for peace.

Ikeda was the founder of the Soka (value-creation) schools, a nondenominational school system based on an ideal of fostering each student's unique creative potential and cultivating an ethic of peace, social contribution and global consciousness. The school system runs from kindergarten through graduate study and includes a university in Tokyo, Japan, and another in California, U.S.A.

Ikeda was a staunch proponent of dialogue as the foundation of peace. Since the 1970s he has pursued dialogue with a wide range of individuals around the world in political, cultural, educational and academic fields. Over 50 of these have been published in book form, with people such as Mikhail Gorbachev, Elise Boulding, Joseph Rotblat and André Malraux. In furtherance of his vision of fostering dialogue and solidarity for peace, Ikeda has founded a number of independent, nonprofit research institutes that develop cross-cultural, interdisciplinary collaboration on diverse issues: the Boston Research Center for the 21st Century, the Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research and the Institute of Oriental Philosophy. The Min-On Concert Association and the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum promote mutual understanding and friendship between different national cultures through the arts.

Ikeda was a prolific writer who has published more than 100 works, ranging from Buddhist philosophy to biographical essays, poetry, children's stories and photographic collections.

Reviews

[Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book attempts to reconcile Buddhism with modern scientific knowledge, and explain Buddhism in scientific terms. It covers biology, astronomy, physics, psychology, and neuroanatomy.

I'm very skeptical of anything remotely resembling pseudoscience, but this book impressed me. It kept science and Buddhism pretty separate, first masterfully describing the basics of a scientific concept, and then discussing some Buddhist concepts that might be analogous or even overlap. It was purely speculative, and never claimed that Buddhist concepts are somehow proven by modern science.

This book focuses on Mahayana Buddhism, which I liked since I haven't yet learned much about Mahayaha. But it was unnecessarily antagonistic with Therevada, called Hinayana, or "lesser," by the Mahayanas. It was interesting to see the contrast, even if it was biased.

Although articulate and interesting to read, this book was not very engaging. My eyes glazed over a lot, especially during the middle section which is devoted entirely to explaining Buddhist philosophy, in the driest manner possible.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book ends with this statement, "The only sure remedy for the ills besetting modern civilization is to establish Buddhist teachings in the hearts of each and every individual alive. This is the key to the twenty-first century - the means whereby we may achieve the ultimate victory for humanity." I begin this review with this quote, because as I was reading the book, I had similar thoughts. Excusing the obvious evangelical component of this conclusion, I think there is a lot we could gain as a society from incorporating Buddhist tenets of love into our everyday living. The essential points of Buddhism, at least represented by Ikeda, is continually seeking to improve your life condition (not in a material sense but in a spiritual sense), having empathy for yourself when you are in a "lower state of being," and that Buddhism does not contradict with science, in fact throughout the book Ikeda uses science as justification for Buddhist ideas that life energy continues, even after one's death. It's a nice book.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing, in fact it is mind blowing. so much wisdom on every page that it almost makes my head hurt reading it.

I believe this to be one of the most important books for the human being. A must read and one I shall read many times

[Cayoyin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece. This is by far one of the most profound and enlightening books I have read in my life. A bedside book I shall go back to always.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is among my favorite books. I've read and reviewed it several times.

[Jana Bianchi]

Essa foi uma leitura vagarosa por natureza, mas bem interessante. Minha expectativa era encontrar um texto puramente filosófico, mas me deparei com apontamentos práticos e bastante conteúdo científico. Gostei bastante.

[Handrio Nurhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Already becoming a classic masterpiece...read this and you'll see a glimpse of eastern thought.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ci sono concetti interessanti e ben spiegati ma visibilmente copiati da testi di Nichiren, al quale si accosta e ne fornisce un'interpretazione.
Meglio leggere direttamente quest ultimo

[Richard Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent - This books certifies that buddhism is indeed a philosophy that not only welcomes science but is also further proven by science.

[Bruno Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deep.

[Boglarka Ronto]

Hello everyone here,
I would love to read this book however seems almost impossible to get hold of it...
Currently i live in dubai, and if there is anyone here who would sell it please let me know
Bo.ronto@gmail.com

[Rodolfo Ricardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vários anos para terminar!

Nos últimos capítulos ficou muito "coisado" pra mim.

Mas o início é um passeio excelente para entender várias coisas.

[Teishi]

DNF @ 18%

[Keeyoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

very nice