Encountering the Dharma

Encountering the Dharma PDF Author: Richard Hughes Seager
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 9780520939042
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Book Description
This engaging, deeply personal book, illuminating the search for meaning in today’s world, offers a rare insider’s look at Soka Gakkai Buddhism, one of Japan’s most influential and controversial religious movements, and one that is experiencing explosive growth around the world. Unique for its multiethnic make-up, Gakkai Buddhists can be found in more than 100 countries from Japan to Brazil to the United States and Germany. In Encountering the Dharma, Richard Seager, an American professor of religion trying to come to terms with the death of his wife, travels to Japan in search of the spirit of the Soka Gakkai. This book tells of his journey toward understanding in a compelling narrative woven out of his observations, reflections, and interviews, including several rare one-on-one meetings with Soka Gakkai president Daisaku Ikeda. Along the way, Seager also explores broad-ranging controversies arising from the Soka Gakkai’s efforts to rebuild post-war Japan, its struggles with an ancient priesthood, and its motives for propagating Buddhism around the world. One turning point in his understanding comes as Ikeda and the Soka Gakkai strike an authentically Buddhist response to the events of September 11, 2001.

The Record of My Life

The Record of My Life PDF Author: Daisaku Ikeda
Publisher: Middleway Press
ISBN: 1946635871
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
In these fascinating personal essays, we can get a glimpse into the heart and mind of a great champion of peace as he reminisces about significant events in his life and some of the people he' s met. We not only will gain a new appreciation of President Ikeda' s wide-ranging efforts for peace, culture, and education as he traveled the world for sake of people' s happiness, but we will learn lessons we can apply as we, too, strive to be ambassadors of peace.

Encountering the Dharma

Encountering the Dharma PDF Author: Richard Hughes Seager
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520245776
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description
This work offers an enlightening look at Soka Gakkai Buddhism, one of Japan's most influential and controversial religious movements and one that is experiencing explosive international growth.

Soka Education

Soka Education PDF Author: Daisaku Ikeda
Publisher: Middleway Press
ISBN: 0977924556
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 257

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Book Description
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.

Waking the Buddha

Waking the Buddha PDF Author: Clark Strand
Publisher: Middleway Press
ISBN: 0977924564
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 193

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Book Description
Is there more to Buddhism than sitting in silent meditation? Is modern Buddhism relevant to the problems of daily life? Does it empower individuals to transform their lives? Or has Buddhism become too detached, so still and quiet that the Buddha has fallen asleep? Waking the Buddha tells the story of the Soka Gakkai International, the largest, most dynamic Buddhist movement in the world today—and one that is waking up and shaking up Buddhism so it can truly work in ordinary people’s lives. Drawing on his long personal experience as a Buddhist teacher, journalist, and editor, Clark Strand offers broad insight into how and why the Soka Gakkai, with its commitment to social justice and its egalitarian approach, has become a role model, not only for other schools of Buddhism, but for other religions as well. Readers will be inspired by the struggles and triumphs of the Soka Gakkai’s three founding presidents—individuals who staked their lives on the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and the extraordinary power of those teachings to help people become happy.

You Were Born to Win

You Were Born to Win PDF Author: Daisaku Ikeda
Publisher: Middleway Press
ISBN: 1938252977
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 88

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Book Description
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.

The Hope-Filled Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin

The Hope-Filled Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin PDF Author: Daisaku Ikeda
Publisher: Middleway Press
ISBN: 1946635251
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
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.

Daisaku Ikeda and the Soka Gakkai International

Daisaku Ikeda and the Soka Gakkai International PDF Author: Federico Carretta
Publisher: tab edizioni
ISBN: 8892953826
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Book Description
This study analyses the Peace Proposals to the UN formulated by Daisaku Ikeda, a Japanese political philosopher and religious leader of Sōka Gakkai International, supporter of the ideals of Engaged Buddhism. This NGO strives to contribute to world society through culture, peace activism, disaster relief, and education. Since 1983 Ikeda has written annual Peace Proposals, containing ideas from Buddhist humanism for viable responses to global issues, to support a strengthened role of the UN and encourage a sense of global citizenship. They give a non-Western centric point of view on major global issues and problems, providing innovative solutions for the pacifist movement all over the world.

A New Humanism

A New Humanism PDF Author: Daisaku Ikeda
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 0857731955
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 304

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Book Description
'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. And 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 of wisdom that in the right circumstances may be passed on to future generations, expanding horizons, making connnctions 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. And in promoting his core values of education and peace, the author has delivered speeches and lectures 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.

A New Way Forward

A New Way Forward PDF Author: Daisaku Ikeda
Publisher: Middleway Press
ISBN: 1946635502
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 96

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Book Description
“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.