TagEssays by Ikeda Sensei

The Light of the Century of Humanity

This installment of the series “Unforgettable Journeys” features excerpts from Ikeda Sensei’s essay on Hawaii, published in the Oct. 1, 2021, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun. The full essay was originally published in the Soka Gakkai–affiliated monthly magazine Pumpkin. May new horizons shine before you on your journey. There is a

30 Years of Our Spiritual Independence

This is an essay by Ikeda Sensei originally published in the May 29, 2000, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun. In 1937, I was 9 years old. My father was finally beginning to recover from a long, severe bout of rheumatism. It was at just that time that my eldest brother was

This installment of the series “Unforgettable Journeys” features excerpts from Ikeda Sensei’s essay on Nepal originally published in the Soka Gakkai-affiliated monthly magazine Pumpkin and later in book form in Japanese. This was translated from the Nov. 20, 2020, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun. Mountains elevate us to greater heights, and

This essay, which was originally published in the July 2, 2005, Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, can be found in Men Shining With Youthful Brilliance: Guidance to the Men of the SGI-USA, pp. 18–23. The nineteenth-century English poet Anne Brontë wrote: “While Faith is with me, I am blest; / It turns my

Songs of Light

In Hall Caine’s epic novel The Eternal City, the youthful revolutionary David Rossi cries out: “Be brave, be strong, be patient.” Our youthful revolutionaries of kosen-rufu are forging ahead with courage, abundant self-confidence and steadfast perseverance. As the young men’s division marks its 55th anniversary this month (July 2006), I am thrilled with the vigorous

Ikeda Sensei's Essay

Ikeda Sensei's Guidance for the Future Division

This essay from the Treasures of the Four Seasons series first appeared in the Sept. 1, 2019, issue of Boys and Girls Hope News, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly newspaper for the elementary school division. Summer vacation has flown by, and school has begun again [in Japan]. You might feel nervous or anxious returning to school

On April 2, 1958, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda died at the age of 58. The following essay by Ikeda Sensei was originally published in the April 8, 2009, Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. My mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, once said to me: “Buddhism teaches that ‘all phenomena are

The following op-ed by Ikeda Sensei was published in The Times of India on Feb. 4, which marked the 60th anniversary of his first visit to India. The text can also be accessed at daisakuikeda.org. Our world today is facing a crisis unlike any other as the coronavirus pandemic shakes the foundations of our global

On March 16, 1958, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda entrusted the mission of kosen-rufu to the youth. The following essay by Ikeda Sensei was published in the March 16, 2000, Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. My eyes were focused unwaveringly on the future. Yet, seeing the frail condition of my mentor in

Let’s bring forth a strong life force and together make this a historic year.

This installment of the series “Unforgettable Journeys” features excerpts from Ikeda Sensei’s essay on Boston, which was originally published in the October 2012 issue of the Soka Gakkai–affiliated monthly magazine Pumpkin and later in book form in Japanese. The text was later published in the Aug. 21, 2020, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka

“To have faith in the promise of dialogue is to believe in the promise of humanity.”

The following is Ikeda Sensei’s photo essay series Treasures of the Four Seasons for the members of the elementary school division. This installment was originally published in the June 1, 2019, issue of Boys and Girls Hope News, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly newspaper for the elementary school division. The rainy season has arrived in Japan.

It is a great pleasure to have this opportunity to speak at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), an institution that carries on the finest traditions of higher learning. For this privilege, I thank President Charles E. Young, Vice President Norman Miller, the faculty, and students, men and women who will guide your country

Nothing could please me more than to be back at Harvard University, to speak with faculty and students at this time-honored institution of unexcelled academic endeavor. To Professor Nur Yalman, Professor Harvey Cox, Professor John Kenneth Galbraith and all the others who have made my visit possible, I extend grateful thanks. The Continuity of Life