El Misterio de La Vida a la Luz del Budismo

by Daisaku Ikeda

Arnold J Toynbee was a historian whose 12-volume A Study of History had a huge impact on the thinking of his day. This epic, multi-volume work offered a grand synthesis of world history from the global perspective of the rise and fall of civilizations, rather than concentrating on the history of nation-states or of ethnic groups. 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 organisation devoted to the promotion of education, culture and peace. Between 1971 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 volume - which still reads as freshly as it did when it was first published, and which is now reissued for a new generation of readers - the inspiring challenge issued by both men is framed as 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 recognising 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.

Genres: Philosophy, History, Buddhism, Spirituality, Religion

Hardcover

First published November 18, 1976

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

[Kiril · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is remarkable. Deep, balanced and intelligent account of a wide range of topics, and answers to all questions we are afraid to ask in modern Western civilized society. It is not always an easy read, but it is always a great read. So many things impressed me in the thinking of Daisaku Ikeda, and I catch myself drawn to Northern Buddhism. Yet these thinkers do not constrain themselves to religion, or philosophy, or history. They merge every topic into an intellectual challenge. One of the best examples of remarkable intellectual discussion, bravely asking all questions relevant for humanity today.

[Babak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this marvelous book two times, it has been translated wonderfully into Farsi and main theme is based around two philosophers one from Japan and fareast and other from west point of view. They discuss about sophisticated problems from nature to morality in the future century ahead although the narrative is pretty much reader-friendly but the first time i finished the book i was 18 years young,no experience in realm of philosophy and i didnt get much however it showed a path, 7 years later i read that again and was shocked how much intelligence and knowledge was floating in this little book,so now i recommend to anyone who is new in this topic, start with some simple books and then after that when your mind is ready for philosophical dialogue atmosphere, challenge yourself with the book, for others, it will be a book full of amazing POVs and horizons that could help facing 21st century better.

[Monica]

I'm interested in British historian Arnold J. Toynbee's contribution.

[Hotspur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book suffers from one major mistake which compounds. And that is the dialogue has been altered and rendered into written prose. Had the dialogue been left as is, it would be likely a more concise and readable book, and perhaps more insightful. At times, Toynbee especially, can be stilted and almost lecturing in what should be a healthy dialogue.

Even with this major mistake, I was amazed at how prescient both were more than fifty years ago. They assumed China, which was still ruled by Mao at the time and very poor, would become the leading country of the world--but not materially or economically. These kind of paradoxical insights abound throughout the book. They get major things right, and some things wrong. Also, they are best talking about the major underlying core issues and philosophy, and worst at addressing the practical common sense solutions. I think this is indicative of most in humanity. Even the most intelligent, have a hard time devising good practical solutions.

I was mostly very impressed with this East West dialogue. Just saddened by the missed opportunity of substituting the actual dialogue with after-the fact prose.

[Lau Yan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read about two men's perspectives, a Buddhist lay person and Christain catholic, about many vital issues which confront contemporary man, both in the west and in the east. They spoke about human survival, root cause of all the global problems, what we can learn from different religions and history, about political idealogies, meaning of life, and how we can better balance man's moral immaturity and his technological prowess.

[Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fundamental para entender los principios base de la filosofía budista.

[Florence Minowa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful and dense read. It blows my mind that already in 1976 these two scholars were holding such profound and insightful discussions on dire issues that that world is toiling with today.

[W L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the spark that started my interest in dialogues.

[Saman]

reeed