A life of Infinite Possibilities
Buddhist philosopher, author and peacebuilder, Daisaku Ikeda is president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a Buddhist NGO with more than 12 million members around the world. He is also founder of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy, the Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue, the Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research and the Soka education system (see Soka University of America, Soka University (Japan), research on Soka education system.)
Over the years, Ikeda has engaged many of the world’s leading thinkers in dialogue and written extensively on a range of issues related to peace and human security. His annual proposals for peace issued each year on the anniversary of the founding of the SGI - January 26, 1975 - review the state of the world and offer practical suggestions grounded in Buddhist philosophy.
Ikeda has been a continuing source of inspiration for the SGI's global grassroots activities in such areas as human rights protection, nuclear abolition, disarmament, sustainable development and cultural exchange. In New Zealand, these activities have included the collection of 60,000 signatures in a street appeal in support of the Abolition 2000 petition to abolish nuclear weapons (1998), promoting the award winning anti-violence programme Victory Over Violence Aotearoa (2003-) and an anti-bullying programme for high school students, iChoose (2012). In September 2000, the Rotorua District Council established the Ikeda Hall Peace Garden in honour of Ikeda’s peace efforts, under the leadership of Grahame Hall, then mayor of the city Ikeda has received numerous academic honours, honorary citizenships and awards from around the world for his contributions of peace and education, including several from New Zealand.
In an interview with Alastair Thompson the co-founder, editor and publisher of Scoop Independent News, New Zealand's oldest and largest independent online news outlet, Dr Ikeda shared his thoughts on peace and the importance of New Zealand in building peace across the globe. He explained that Soka Gakkai founding president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi was an educator who prioritised the happiness of children in prewar Japan, at a time the foremost objective of education was to foster obedient servants of the state.
He was also a geographer. In his 1903 book The Geography of Human Life, he presented an idea quite different from the conventional way of seeing the Earth - two-dimensional maps divided into national territories. Instead, he said we could divide the globe into a “land hemisphere” and a “water hemisphere.” He illustrated this using two circular-shaped maps, with London serving as the pole of the land hemisphere and New Zealand as the pole of the water hemisphere. Seeing the oceans as thoroughfares connecting countries instead of as something that divides them, Makiguchi emphasised the importance of fostering an ethos that could open up paths of peace, friendship and harmonious coexistence.
I think it is extremely significant even from a contemporary standpoint that New Zealand is at the centre of this water hemisphere composed of oceans filled with infinite possibilities.
During the two world wars of the twentieth century, the Atlantic Ocean became a battlefield. The Pacific Ocean, which both our countries face, also saw many fierce battles during World War II.
Based on the lessons of history, the world now needs a culture that celebrates diversity such as that fostered in New Zealand over many decades. The adamant will to never repeat the atrocities of war is also indispensable, as seen in New Zealand’s unambiguous stance against nuclear weapons and efforts to develop the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (the Treaty of Rarotonga).
The first nation in the world to grant women suffrage, New Zealand has also consistently been known for its emphasis on the guarantee of human rights and a strong social welfare system. Upholding human rights and humanitarianism as national priorities, New Zealand has provided an example that should be emulated by nations around the world.
In The Geography of Human Life, Makiguchi called for a transformation in the modes of competition among nations: from military, political and economic competition that pursue one’s own interests at the expense of others to a “humanitarian competition” that seeks to bring out the best of each nation’s qualities through efforts to contribute to the well-being of other countries and the world.
I believe that New Zealand’s strong traditions of fairness and concern for the vulnerable can help lead the world in the direction of humanitarian competition in the 21st century. Nothing can justify the continuation of the current state of the world where so many people suffer in a cruel zero-sum game in which the strong prey upon the weak.
Through humanitarian competition aimed at pursuing peace and happiness for both oneself and others, we can build a win-win world that allows the dignity of all people to shine. It is my earnest hope that Japan and many other countries will follow in the footsteps of New Zealand in order to create such a truly humanistic global society.
SGINZ recently celebrated the anniversary of President Ikeda's first and only visit to Oceania when he travelled to Melbourne Australia in May 1964. Also that just 3 months later, Soka Gakkai member, Yuki Johnson arrived in New Zealand and became our organization's very first pioneer.
The event held on 15th November was attended by 1001 SGINZ members from around the country including 3 senior leaders from Japan, Mr Tsutsumi, Mrs Matsue and Mr Ishikawa - the top coordinators for the North American and Oceania regions and other overseas members.
The theme of the occasion was “Celebrating a Life of Infinite Possibilities”, which expresses the core philosophy of the SGI, namely the potential of human life to become aware of its great power, to draw it forth and manifest it in its environment in a way whereby people can surmount any obstacle, overcome any suffering and live a live that benefits both oneself and society.
Although each of the 1001 participants have various roles and careers to fill in society, it is hoped that individually, they will come to feel a shared desire to inspire others to believe in their inherent capacity as well and impart value to their living and working environments, thus creating a more humane and peaceful world.
Buddhist philosopher, author and peacebuilder, Daisaku Ikeda is president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a Buddhist NGO with more than 12 million members around the world. He is also founder of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy, the Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue, the...
Buddhist philosopher, author and peacebuilder, Daisaku Ikeda is president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a Buddhist NGO with more than 12 million members around the world. He is also founder of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy, the Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue, the Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research and the Soka education system (see Soka University of America, Soka University (Japan), research on Soka education system.)
Over the years, Ikeda has engaged many of the world’s leading thinkers in dialogue and written extensively on a range of issues related to peace and human security. His annual proposals for peace issued each year on the anniversary of the founding of the SGI - January 26, 1975 - review the state of the world and offer practical suggestions grounded in Buddhist philosophy.
Ikeda has been a continuing source of inspiration for the SGI's global grassroots activities in such areas as human rights protection, nuclear abolition, disarmament, sustainable development and cultural exchange. In New Zealand, these activities have included the collection of 60,000 signatures in a street appeal in support of the Abolition 2000 petition to abolish nuclear weapons (1998), promoting the award winning anti-violence programme Victory Over Violence Aotearoa (2003-) and an anti-bullying programme for high school students, iChoose (2012). In September 2000, the Rotorua District Council established the Ikeda Hall Peace Garden in honour of Ikeda’s peace efforts, under the leadership of Grahame Hall, then mayor of the city Ikeda has received numerous academic honours, honorary citizenships and awards from around the world for his contributions of peace and education, including several from New Zealand.
In an interview with Alastair Thompson the co-founder, editor and publisher of Scoop Independent News, New Zealand's oldest and largest independent online news outlet, Dr Ikeda shared his thoughts on peace and the importance of New Zealand in building peace across the globe. He explained that Soka Gakkai founding president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi was an educator who prioritised the happiness of children in prewar Japan, at a time the foremost objective of education was to foster obedient servants of the state.
He was also a geographer. In his 1903 book The Geography of Human Life, he presented an idea quite different from the conventional way of seeing the Earth - two-dimensional maps divided into national territories. Instead, he said we could divide the globe into a “land hemisphere” and a “water hemisphere.” He illustrated this using two circular-shaped maps, with London serving as the pole of the land hemisphere and New Zealand as the pole of the water hemisphere. Seeing the oceans as thoroughfares connecting countries instead of as something that divides them, Makiguchi emphasised the importance of fostering an ethos that could open up paths of peace, friendship and harmonious coexistence.
I think it is extremely significant even from a contemporary standpoint that New Zealand is at the centre of this water hemisphere composed of oceans filled with infinite possibilities.
During the two world wars of the twentieth century, the Atlantic Ocean became a battlefield. The Pacific Ocean, which both our countries face, also saw many fierce battles during World War II.
Based on the lessons of history, the world now needs a culture that celebrates diversity such as that fostered in New Zealand over many decades. The adamant will to never repeat the atrocities of war is also indispensable, as seen in New Zealand’s unambiguous stance against nuclear weapons and efforts to develop the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (the Treaty of Rarotonga).
The first nation in the world to grant women suffrage, New Zealand has also consistently been known for its emphasis on the guarantee of human rights and a strong social welfare system. Upholding human rights and humanitarianism as national priorities, New Zealand has provided an example that should be emulated by nations around the world.
In The Geography of Human Life, Makiguchi called for a transformation in the modes of competition among nations: from military, political and economic competition that pursue one’s own interests at the expense of others to a “humanitarian competition” that seeks to bring out the best of each nation’s qualities through efforts to contribute to the well-being of other countries and the world.
I believe that New Zealand’s strong traditions of fairness and concern for the vulnerable can help lead the world in the direction of humanitarian competition in the 21st century. Nothing can justify the continuation of the current state of the world where so many people suffer in a cruel zero-sum game in which the strong prey upon the weak.
Through humanitarian competition aimed at pursuing peace and happiness for both oneself and others, we can build a win-win world that allows the dignity of all people to shine. It is my earnest hope that Japan and many other countries will follow in the footsteps of New Zealand in order to create such a truly humanistic global society.
SGINZ recently celebrated the anniversary of President Ikeda's first and only visit to Oceania when he travelled to Melbourne Australia in May 1964. Also that just 3 months later, Soka Gakkai member, Yuki Johnson arrived in New Zealand and became our organization's very first pioneer.
The event held on 15th November was attended by 1001 SGINZ members from around the country including 3 senior leaders from Japan, Mr Tsutsumi, Mrs Matsue and Mr Ishikawa - the top coordinators for the North American and Oceania regions and other overseas members.
The theme of the occasion was “Celebrating a Life of Infinite Possibilities”, which expresses the core philosophy of the SGI, namely the potential of human life to become aware of its great power, to draw it forth and manifest it in its environment in a way whereby people can surmount any obstacle, overcome any suffering and live a live that benefits both oneself and society.
Although each of the 1001 participants have various roles and careers to fill in society, it is hoped that individually, they will come to feel a shared desire to inspire others to believe in their inherent capacity as well and impart value to their living and working environments, thus creating a more humane and peaceful world.
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