The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace: Selections from the Works of Daisaku Ikeda

by Daisaku Ikeda

Gleaned from more than fifty years of SGI President Ikeda's works, The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace provides a window into the SGI president's thought and philosophy. His works are a boundless source of inspiration. They embody a universal message of hope and courage for a world increasingly beset with sorrow and suffering.

Genres: Buddhism

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2015

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

[Julia Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to briefly introduce topics of Buddhism. This book works to show how Nichiren Buddhists use their faith to overcome inevitable obstacles in life and explains other concepts as well, such as karma, death, rebirth, importance of helping others, etc.

[Asinta Tamang · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST READ. The book talks about hope and courage for the world that is rapidly besetting with sorrow and sufferings. It speaks highly and more for Buddhism and i personally being Buddhist the lessons were inspiring; spiritually and practically both.

[Sophie Barloc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read more books about the SGI and by Daisaku Ikeda previously, I found this one repetitive. Although it’s unarguable the fact that it contains and explains amazing Buddhist concepts. It is indeed a reminder of many things Buddhism teaches that we wished we remembered every single day of our lives. So for that reason, I highly recommend this book. It is not a profound read or intelectual discussion about philosophy but it is without a question, a valuable tool. Inspiring, helpful and fuel for the spirit.
For those who don’t know much about Nichiren Buddhism this book explains most of the basic concepts. But it is particularly inspiring the fact that almost everything about a religion/philosophy is faced towards happiness. Individual happiness and collective happiness. This book is particularly valuable for parents preoccupied by how to raise happy children. It provided me with a clear view of which values are crucial in order to experience absolute happiness. I wish my son to become a happy adult and this little book has shown me simple yet deep tools and concepts that lead to a happy life.
In my literature world I give this book 3 stars but Buddhism still has 5 stars in my heart. I work everyday to keep it that way, always.

[Nae · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an individual who is fairly new to the practice of Nichiren Buddhism, I found this book extremely insightful and helpful. Daisaku Ikeda’s words are inspiring, leaving the reader with a greater understanding of the pursuit of happiness.

[Shreya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compilation of Sensei Ikeda's guidance on happiness.

[Sarita Aggarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our mentor Dr. Dai Saku Ikeda received 400+ Doctorate degrees from all over the world's countries.