TagIkeda Sensei’s Poems

Ikeda Sensei composed poems throughout his life in diverse styles, expressing his thoughts, examining Buddhist concepts and encouraging readers across the world. In July 1981, he was named a poet laureate by the World Academy of Arts and Culture. This section of  Living Buddhism highlights poems from Journey of Life: Selected Poems of Daisaku Ikeda,

Ikeda Sensei composed poems throughout his life in diverse styles, expressing his thoughts, examining Buddhist concepts and encouraging readers across the world. In July 1981, he was named a poet laureate by the World Academy of Arts and Culture. This section of  Living Buddhism highlights select poems from Journey of Life: Selected Poems of Daisaku

Before his passing on Nov. 15, Ikeda Sensei composed the following poems to commemorate Nov. 18, 2023, the 93rd anniversary of the Soka Gakkai’s founding and the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu. The poems appeared in the Nov. 18, 2023, issue of the Soka Gakkai daily

Ikeda Sensei composed the following poems to commemorate November 18, 2023, the 93rd anniversary of the Soka Gakkai’s founding and the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu. He prepared them before his passing on November 15. The poems appeared in the November 18, 2023, issue of the

The following poems were published in the Jan. 1, 2023, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun. We, as mentor and disciple,are unwavering champions“of heaven, earth, and humanity.” Let us illuminate the world with the brilliantmorning sun of time without beginning. • • • The seeds of happiness and enlightenmentsprout through life-to-life connections.May

To my treasured friends of Los Angeles, the city of my dreams. A brilliant, burning sunrises above the newborn land,aiming toward a new century,raising the curtain on a new stageof humanity’s history.Shedding its light equally on all things,it seeks the sky’s distant midpoint. In this land wrappedin the limitless lightof the morning sun,my splendid American

Ikeda Sensei’s poem commemorates November 18, Soka Gakkai Founding Day. It was originally published in the February 2, 2001, World Tribune, pp. 4–5. The morning sun!O the morning sun shining in the eastern sky! The light illuminatingthe great stageof the 21st centurybeckons usto stride out exuberantlyinto the new age ahead of us. His gaze on

Ikeda Sensei composed the following poems to commemorate Aug. 24, the 75th anniversary of the start of his Buddhist practice. They were translated from the Aug. 24, 2022, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun. On my 75th anniversary of embracing faith, I dedicate to my mentor the honor of making the Mystic Law resound throughout the

Ikeda Sensei composed the following poems to celebrate the start of the New Year. These poems were originally published in the Jan. 1, 2022, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun. Engraving in our heartsthe Daishonin’s sacred teachings,which can unite the entire world,let’s break through all obstaclesas Bodhisattvas of the Earth! • •

Ikeda Sensei composed this poem in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu, on Dec. 10, 1981, and presented it to the members of the Soka Gakkai youth division. This English translation is based on his revised version introduced in 1999. It can also be found in Sun of Youth, pp. 77–100. A renowned mountaineer when asked his reasons

Poems from Ikeda Sensei

July 2021 marks 40 years since Ikeda Sensei was declared a poet laureate by the World Academy of Arts and Culture in 1981. The following is an excerpt of Sensei’s June 2005 poem titled “Hold High the Proud Banner of July 3!” This excerpt was republished in the July 3, 2021, issue of the Soka

Ikeda Sensei composed the following poems in celebration of May 3, 2021—Soka Gakkai Day and Soka Gakkai Mother’s Day—a date that also marks the 70th anniversary of Josei Toda’s inauguration as second Soka Gakkai president and the 61st anniversary of Sensei’s inauguration as third president. The poems were first published in the May 3, 2021,

Ikeda Sensei penned the following poem on Jan. 2, 2012, his 84th birthday. It originally appeared in the Feb. 3, 2012, World Tribune. Hope is life’s treasure. Those who always have hope are happy. One can have all the wealth, power and fame in the world, but if one loses hope, one will falter and

Ikeda Sensei composed the following poems to celebrate the start of 2021. They were translated from the Jan. 1 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. Members of Soka, lion’s roar resounding in oneness with the Daishonin, are elevating and guiding humanity to the treasure land of peace. • • • As

Ikeda Sensei composed the following poems to commemorate Nov. 18, the 90th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai’s founding. The poems were originally published in the Nov. 18 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. Through the oneness of mentor and disciple, we have realized the Buddha’s intent, our Soka movement spreading boundless

1980s Guidance

Ikeda Sensei composed the following poems to commemorate Aug. 24, the 73rd anniversary of the start of his Buddhist practice, and the 70th anniversary of the day he and his mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, first discussed plans for establishing the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s newspaper. These poems originally appeared in the Aug. 24,

The Bodhisattvas of the Earth have emerged! They have arisen! They have started to stir, to move! Here, on the American continent, the winds of a new era have begun to blow. Raising ruby goblets, we toast the further completion of this wondrous new path glittering with happiness and peace. Lifting our voices high in

In commemoration of International Nurses Day on May 12, an excerpt from Ikeda Sensei’s 2000 poem to nurses “Protectors of Life—The Lofty Spirit of Hope!” was published in the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. Sensei requested this be republished out of his wish to express his gratitude to all front-line health care workers