Buddhism for
Human Dignity
About the Soka Philosophy of
Buddhist Humanism
Buddhism is a tradition based on a profound reverence for life and the unlimited potential within every living being. Beginning with Shakyamuni Buddha in India, it has focused on awakening the individual to the courage, compassion, hope, wisdom and joy within. Soka, or “value creation,” brings this truth to life in society, where a transformation in a single individual can enable a change in their family, community and society as a whole.
The Humanism of the Lotus Sutra
Explore the lineage of Buddhism—from India to the world.
Applying the Philosophy
What Buddhist Thought Can Teach AI
On July 16, 1945, the atomic age came into being when scientists detonated the first atomic bomb in the New Mexico desert. J. Robert Oppenheimer, the director of the Manhattan Project, would later recall in a magazine profile the reactions of those present: some laughed, some cried, most were silent. In his own mind ran
‘We Can Prevent This From Happening’
The World Tribune sat down with Dr. Ira Helfand at the Florida Nature Culture Center in Weston, Florida, where he lectured in late July on nuclear abolition at the SGI-USA Student Division Conference. Dr. Helfand is a member of the International Steering Group of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and is a
Advocating for the Downwinders
Living Buddhism met with Tina Cordova of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, which advocates for medical care and compensation for people and their families affected by nuclear bomb testing in New Mexico. The “downwinders,” who lived downwind of the testing sites, together with their families and successive generations, have experienced high rates of cancer due
‘We Are Brothers and Sisters Striving to Get Along’
Living Buddhism interviewed John Wester, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and the role religious communities can play in bringing about their end. Living Buddhism: Last October marked the 60th anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis, the closest the Cold War came to a full-scale nuclear war.
Interconnectedness Through Dialogue
Living Buddhism spoke with Karen Ross, associate professor in the Department of Conflict Resolution, Human Security and Global Governance at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Dr. Ross’s research has focused on peace building, social activism and education. For the last 15 years, she has worked on issues related to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, peace education,
We Can Have a Harmonious World
Living Buddhism interviewed Virginia Benson, first director of the Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue, about attending Ikeda Sensei’s second Harvard University lecture, “Mahayana Buddhism and Twenty-First Civilization,” in September 1993, and why his message is even more applicable today. Living Buddhism: Thank you for speaking with us about Ikeda Sensei’s second visit to
The Soka Gakkai International
Daisaku Ikeda
A life dedicated to peace, culture and education.
Our History
An organization of people standing for the greatest good.
Connect to a Local Community
Neighborhood discussion meetings are the foundation of our activities. Meet, share or listen in as you are.