Through this novelized history of the Soka Gakkai-one of the most dynamic, diverse, and empowering Buddhist movements in the world today-readers will discover the organization's goals and achievements even as they find inspiring and practical Buddhist wisdom for living happily and compassionately in today's world. The book recounts the stories of ordinary individuals who faced tremendous odds in transforming their lives through the practice of Nichiren Buddhism and in bringing Buddhism's humanistic teachings to the world. This second volume focuses on the establishment of many new chapters throughout Japan in 1960 as the Soka Gakkai helps hundreds of thousands of new members find new hope. This inspiring narrative provides readers with the principles with which they can positively transform their own lives for the better and realize enduring happiness for themselves and others.
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.
I enjoyed this NHR volume much more than its predecessor.
Moving away from just the doctrine and introduction of SGI and the basic tenets of Nichiren Buddhism, President Ikeda honestly recounts the struggles of the fledgling organization in post-WWII Japan. As a History buff, I found descriptions of the political and personal turmoil very fascinating, and this book helped me better appreciate how pivotal the SGI was in pioneering religious freedom and enquiry during its formative years.
Recommended for those who enjoy reading about religion, spirituality, History, or sociology, and for practicing Buddhists who want to gain a clearer picture of the SGI's goals and intentions.
Very, *very* interesting -- especially to a non-Buddhist.
Not much Soka Gakkai doctrine or Buddhist philosophy, but it's a fascinating look at a fringe religious organization struggling to survive the chaos of post-war Japan. In this respect, the book is as interesting and relevant to history and sociology buffs as to students of philosophy and religion.
Dr. Ikeda writes for the purpose of sharing his struggles and inspiring the masses. It's not meant to be a work to be judged for literary merit.
Set in post-war Japan, this book is about the accelerated advance of SGI in propagating Nichiren's Buddhism internationally while solidifying its roots in Japan. Here, Dr. Ikeda discusses the guidance that he delivered across Japan for different kinds of people- Buddhist leaders, lay believers-women and men of all ages, and even for those who cannot read/write but are keen to practice.
There's something magnetic about his spirit that touches a reader. Every word I read made me feel that he was writing from the heart. I have immense respect for his determination to make a difference to humanity.
Very encouraging!!!!Have Vowed to read all 30 books by the end of 2019...The Year of Victory. Currently reading the third!! 👏👏👏👏👏🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to make our country and world a better place. I love the personal stories of struggle and triumph of the people who are engaged in this journey.