May 2022 Living Buddhism

In their 40–hour dialogue spanning 10 days, Arnold J. Toynbee and Daisaku Ikeda discussed topics relevant to our world today. The following are selected excerpts. Science and Religion Daisaku Ikeda: In the present stage of human history, religion and science are, as you say, necessities of life. Because both are required, the two must not

Brian Angulo •  New York Reading Choose Life was my first deep dive into Ikeda Sensei’s dialogues. In reading this dialogue, I learned how I can relate Buddhist philosophy to global issues. I was impressed by how Arnold J. Toynbee and Sensei came from different cultural, religious and linguistic backgrounds but were able to find

Nelson Mandela (1918–2013)Anti-apartheid activist and first democratically elected president of South Africa President Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to securing the freedom of the people of South Africa by confronting the apartheid regime, which violently oppressed Black South Africans. Starting in 1652, Dutch and British colonists slowly annexed trade ports and other strategic areas of

Originally published in the April 2022 Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal. In “The Parable of the Medicinal Herbs,” the fifth chapter of the Lotus Sutra, we find the beautiful expression “human flowers” (The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, p. 142). I recall my conversation with South Africa’s great humanitarian leader

We’re trying to love ourselves, but our negative self-talk keeps getting in the way. It’s easy to get trapped into thinking that the negative voice in our head is the truth about who we are. But, we’re here to say, it’s not. Buddhism is a philosophy about uncovering the inherent goodness and value within each

“Each of you should summon up the courage of a lion king and never succumb to threats from anyone. The lion king fears no other beast, nor do its cubs. Slanderers are like barking foxes, but Nichiren’s followers are like roaring lions.” (“On Persecutions Befalling the Sage,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,vol. 1, p. 997) Background

Featuring members from New England.

Tempering my strengths, my Buddhist practice yields the wisdom to fulfill my dream of founding a tech startup. I’m Lenny Bogdonoff from New York.

If one lights a fire for others, one will brighten one’s own way. (“On the Three Virtues of Food,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 1060) by Nadia UllahHouston The greatest benefit of my Buddhist practice has been the awareness of choice. I can break patterns of behavior that cause me suffering and grow into

Chapter 2 “On Practicing the Buddha’s Teachings”—Part 2 of 3 In this lecture, Ikeda Sensei explains the spirit of shakubuku. Kosen-rufu, or the widespread propagation of the Law, is the “practice of Buddhas” arising out of the profound compassion Buddhas have for all living beings, and it is also the “practice of bodhisattvas” undertaken by

May 2022

May 2022

Excerpts From Ikeda Sensei’s Annual Peace Proposals:
Eliminating the Misery of War

Ikeda Sensei’s Lecture Series [76]

Illustrations by Leo Matsuda.