In this exchange of letters over one year beginning April 1975, the authors tell of their travels and work, of close friends, of writers, artists and public figures they have known, of seasons and places, impressions and reflections.

Both authors are people with wide-ranging experience. Daisaku Ikeda has visited China a number of times, contributing much to the restoration of friendly relations between China and Japan. Yasushi Inoue, a former newspaper reporter, is an award-winning author of historical short stories and novels, many of them set in China, a country he has visited several times. As they reach out to each other through correspondence they reveal not only much of themselves but of Japanese society as well.

In a foreward, Burton Watson, an authority on East Asian languages and cultures, writes, ". . .whatever range of topics may be touched on within it, the real subject of a letter is in the end the writer himself. And we who read the letter do so not so much because we care about what it says as because we care about the person who wrote it. . . . These, in sum, are thoughtful and gracefully phrased letters exhanged by men of creative spirit who are leaders in their respective fields of endeavor."

In his first letter, Inoue writes, "Sitting in my study, where I enjoy the cool breezes of May, I have spent a refreshing hour reading your letter, learning about your health and sharing some of your impressions of your trip to China. I read in the newspaper of your meeting in Beijing with Prince Sihanouk. I was impressed, but not surprised, to learn that you are the first Japanese citizen to meet him after the liberation of Phnom Penh. I feel certain that, standing at this historic crossroads, at the conclusion of the long internal war that has torn his nation asunder, this bold Cambodian leader found the thoughts of a freethinker like yourself, who values individual human contacts, most trustworthy and appealing."

In a response, Ikeda expresses his awe over Inoue's description of burial mounds of the Han dynasty emperor Wu and his general Huo Qubing, remarking that although he has not yet had the fortune of visiting Xi'an, Inoue's writing provided him a vivid imagery. He goes on, "Tacitly historical ruins inspire a deep sense of significance. Your perspicacious eye for history has brought new life to the drama of affection between the emperor and his warrior. Throughout life, we have many opportunities to meet many different persons, but the friends who stay by our sides in the darkest, as well as the brightest, hours are most valuable. I can fully believe in what you describe as the strong love the elderly emperor felt for the young general who, after serving him well, died an untimely death. Your personal comments on the loss of your dear friend inspired profound sympathy in me.

"In an earlier letter you remarked on a fondness for the month of May. I share your fondness, and for some reason, many of my trips to Europe take place at that time of the year. This year, too, I enjoyed the fresh budding May greenery in Paris, London and Moscow. . ."

Like all good letters, these focus on life itself: life and death, health and sickness, aging contrasted with the vitality of youth, teaching and learning, the past, the present and the future--all seen through the eyes of these two perceptive writers and individuals of action.

This book, titled "The Living Buddha," by Daisaku Ikeda is a biography of the original buddha Shakyamuni. Unlike most major religions, Buddhism depends on neither divine revelation nor an incarnation of God for its authenticity. Shakyamuni, the Buddha, was a man who through his own efforts attained enlightenment as to the essential nature of life. For this reason, Shakyamuni's life story is meaningful to us today.

As a biography of Shakyamuni, "The Living Buddha" is a vivid historical narrative based on what is known or can reasonably be surmised concerning his life and times. It is also an inspiring account of a heroic life dedicated to helping all people free themselves from suffering.

Daisaku Ikeda's image of Shakyamuni grows out of his own living experience as a Buddhist and as a man of action. Accordingly, the author views Shakyamuni not as a mystic, semi-legendary figure half hidden in the mists of a distant age in an exotic land, but as a warm and vital human being who was very much a product of his own time, but who transcended circumstance to preach a message of universal validity.

"The Living Buddha," in its felicitous English translation by the master translator of Chinese literature Burton Watson, is an important contribution to writings on Shakyamuni and a perceptive introduction to the founder of one of the world's great religions.

On the Japanese Classics is a series of conversations between Daisaku Ikeda and Makoto Nemoto, a specialist in Chinese history, in which they discuss the great works of Japanese literature. Their talks center on Man'yoshu (A Collection of a Myriad Leaves, c. late eighth century), Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters, A.D. 712), Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji, c. early eleventh century), and Konjaku Monogatari (Tales of the Past and Present, c. 1120).

The authors try not to impose any broad framework of interpretation upon these works or to arrive at any systematic conclusions concerning them. Rather, they attempt to define the particular worth and appeal of each, discovering some of the ways in which each work is related to the life and thought of the time. Finally, they suggest what significance each work may hold for our own age.

Although not specialists in Japanese literature, with their superb knowledge of Japanese and Chinese history and literature, as well as an in-depth comprehension of Buddhism, Ikeda and Nemoto provide a fresh approach and understanding that bring a relevance to these classics.

In this beautiful book, Songs of Victory, a collection of poetry by Daisaku Ikeda, one of the world's leading Buddhist personages, the common theme is victory - the victory gained by his friends around the world, at home, at work, and in in society through putting Buddhist principles to work.

This victory, as it says in the book, is "the victory of culture over politics, of spirit over power, of individuals over nations."

Mr. Ikeda always sets humanity at the center of his poems. He bases his poetry on the belief that respect for the ultimate dignity of life itself is the spiritual basis of world peace, which he has worked to construct since his youth in war-torn Japan.

The heroes of these poems struggle in their daily lives and win, building happiness for themselves and their countries, thereby leading step by step to world peace. Mr. Ikeda, a prize-winning author, has recorded in vivid language their spiritual and worldly struggles, and the glory of their eventual victories through their practice of Buddhism.

Daisaku Ikeda is the president of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), the world's largest Buddhist organization, with over 12 million members in 128 nations. He is the author of dozens of award-winning books, translated into over a dozen languages, and is a recipient of the United Nations Peace Award. He has also been awarded the title of Japan's Poet Laureate.

This book, 'Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra,' is a deep yet easy-to-grasp examination of the twenty-eight-chapter Lotus Sutra by Soka Gakkai International President Daisaku Ikeda and three top Soka Gakkai Study Department leaders from Japan.

The conversation brings the Lotus Sutra's important messages into practical application for creating a peaceful world. This volume, Volume 1, examines the first two chapters of the Buddhist literary masterpiece, the Lotus Sutra.

These essays first appeared during the 70's in the Yomiuri Weekly as a series entitled "Essays on Civilization." They were well recieved by the general public in Japan and especially among intellectual circles. However, their scope extends far beyond Japan allowing their message to reach many more people.

Civilization arises from the people and should be ruled by the people - this is the basic theme of these essays. The essays begin with everyday interests such as the price of food, gradually expanding the topics to include issues of global significance such as the mass media, science, economics and ecology. In some essays, Ikeda expands on Buddhist theory while in others he compares the civilizations of East and West.

You certainly don't need to be a university student to gain much from this gem - a collection of addresses given at renowned institutions of higher learning throughout the world by Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, president of the Soka Gakkai International. I sure wish someone had given these kind of addresses to my university when I was a student.

"A New Humanism" is filled with deep insight into our shared humanity, our future as a planet and the road to universal respect for life, the road to a genuine peace.

I agree with another reviewer that you certainly don't need to be a university student to gain much from this book - a collection of addresses given by Soka Gakkai International president Daisaku Ikeda at renowned institutions of higher learning throughout the world.

"A New Humanism" has deep insight into our shared humanity and the path to universal respect for life, thereby creating a genuine peace. I found this section of books by Daisaku Ikeda after hearing an interview with Tina Turner, a practitioner of the Buddhist school led by Daisaku Ikeda, author of A New Humanism.

It's obvious from the wisdom expounded in these addresses why so many top universities and institutions around the world have bestowed upon Mr. Ikeda their highest honors. As his writings and addresses demonstrate, he is truly a world-class gentleman and scholar.

As a graduate student and a student of Buddhism myself, I found this book, "A New Humanism: The University Addresses of Daisaku Ikeda" to be an excellent collection of Mr. Ikeda's trademark profound insights. As other authentic reviewers have mentioned, you certainly don't need to be a university student to gain a lot from this book.

The book "A New Humanism" is a collection of addresses given at renowned institutions of higher learning around the world by Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, president of the Soka Gakkai International. I've heard many addresses at some of the finest universities in the world in my life, but none as profound and inspiring as these! Perhaps I am biased, since my focus of study in higher learning has always been Buddhism and Nichiren Buddhism in particular, but I sure wish someone gave these kind of addresses at my university!

"A New Humanism," like all the books I've read by Dr. Ikeda, is filled with deep insights from the perspective of Nichiren Buddhism regarding our common destiny as one human family, the future of our planet, building a universal respect for life, and the path to a lasting peace.

I recommend this book to all university students as well as anyone intersted in the study of Buddhism (in college or not!) and to anyone interested in learning more about the life-philosophy of Nichiren and the Soka Gakkai International, the largest Buddhist organization in the world (of which Daisaku Ikeda, the author, is the current president).

In this book, A Lasting Peace, Daisaku Ikeda once again provides the reader with his outstanding insights and trademark wisdom, addressing the most important issue facing humanity today - how to create a lasting peace.

In the pursuit of peace, Daisaku Ikeda has lectured extensively at the highest institutions of learning and research throughout the world. Regardless of one's faith, nationality or political views, Daisaku Ikeda expounds what we can all agree is truth - rational, eternal, universal truth.

This book, as with most of Daisaku Ikeda's books, reminds us that if we are ever to rid ourselves of superficial conflicts that escalate to full-blown wars, we must start by regarding the fundamental cause of our conflicts. This is nothing more than our diluted sense of identity - clinging to superficial differences in human culture, language, skin color, and so on.

Once we recognize our true identity as one human family, then we can begin to walk on the path of a true and lasting peace.

I recommend this book to anyone concerned with the issue of peace in both the world at large as well as their own communities. I recommend this book to anyone intersted in learning about the practical applications of ancient yet timeless Buddhist thought in modern, everyday life.

I recommend this book to anyone concerned with issues of peace, both international and domestic, down to the level of their own communities. I also recommend this book to anyone intersted in learning about the practical applications of ancient yet timeless Buddhist thought in modern, everyday life.

In this book, "A Lasting Peace," Mr. Ikeda yet again provides us with outstanding insights and his trademark wisdom, addressing many of the most important issues facing humanity today.

This book, like most of Mr. Ikeda's books, reminds us that if we are ever to banish from this world the superficial conflicts that escalate to all-out wars, we must first regard the fundamental cause of such conflicts. This fundamental cause is nothing more than people's diluted sense of identity - people clinging to superficial differences in culture, race, and so on.

As another reviewer wrote, the essential message of this book is to remind the reader that humanity must first recognize its true identity as one human family - then and only then will we begin to walk the path of a true and lasting peace.

This book, "A Lasting Peace," is a collection of essays by United Nations Peace Medal recipient Daisaku Ikeda. The essays present a carefully considered and hopeful vision of a world in which war is the exception rather than the rule. This future, which the essays encourage us all to believe is attainable, can be brought about first and foremost by the collective elevation of individual human lives rather than by any specific political actions.

Our collective human destiny, Mr. Ikeda insists, is in the hands of each individual rather than in the governments and other institutions that have historically oppressed humanity.

In "A Lasting Peace," Daisaku Ikeda once again demonstrates his profound insights and trademark eloquence, addressing the most pressing issue facing humanity now - how to build an authentic and enduring peace. Daisaku Ikeda, current president of the Soka Gakkai International, a Buddhist organization with 15 million members in 130 nations, has lectured extensively at the highest institutions of learning and research throughout the world.

This book, like every book of Daisaku Ikeda's I have read, reminds the reader that if humanity is ever to rid the world of superficial conflicts that escalate to war, we must illuminate the fundamental cause of such conflicts - our diluted sense of identity - clinging to superficial differences in culture, race, religion and so on.

"Once we recognize our true identity as one human family, then we can begin to walk on the path of a true and lasting peace."

"Lifelong Quest for Peace" is a compellation of dialogues between Nobel Laureate and peace activist Linus Pauling and Soka Gakkai International president Daisaku Ikeda which attempts to proffer insights and attainable solutions to the world's myriad problems. I found Dr. Pauling's contributions to the discussion to be salient and constructive as opposed to Mr. Ikeda, who gives the impression of an evangelical philosopher who has learned to conceal vacuity with pretentious verbage.

Disappointingly, the parameters of discussion in "Lifelong Quest for Peace" are so limited that the indubitable reasons behind global conflicts since World War II are hardly touched upon at all. The reasons being that the whenever the Third World has attempted to break out of its service role (the provision of resources, cheap labour, markets, opportunities for investment and the export of pollution) it has been forcibly put back "into its place" by those countries shouldered with the responsibility of protecting the First World's interests. This truism, which is obstensibly evaded in "Lifelong Quest for Peace" is most adeptly covered in Noam Chomsky's "World Orders, Old and New."

The evasion of the above historical and systemic truism, along with Mr. Ikeda's emasculate contribution, are some of the reasons why, for this reader at least, "Lifelong Quest for Peace" is ineffectual in proffering substantial solutions to the problems it attempts to provide answers to.

I found this book thought-provoking, interesting and inspiring.

I read this book after viewing the Soka Gakkai-sponsored Linus Pauling exhibit (see paulingexhibit.org). This book is the long-awaited dialogue between two-time Nobel Prize recipient Dr. Linus Pauling and Soka Gakkai International President Daisaku Ikeda, carried out over three years, covering many interesting subjects. Admirers of Dr. Pauling, especially those with an interest in Buddhism, will be delighted.

For this reader, "Human Values in a Changing World" proffers ineffectual discourse and prosaic insights into the many ethical dilemmas facing society today. The sections on responsibility and ethics were especially didactic and narrow in scope, all but evading such weighty issues as the seperation of Church and State (much to the relief of co-author Daisaku Ikeda, I would expect).

For those truly concerned about the role of religion in society and are looking for answers to the many ills facing society today, I recommend reading Hans Kung's "A Global Ethic" which lists four "irrevocable directives": commitments to a culture of nonviolence and respect for life; of solidarity and a just economic order; of tolerance and a life of truthfulness; and of equal rights and partnership between men and women -- all areas where "Human Values in a Changing World" fails to deliver.

This is a fascinating and intelligent book that trancends typical notions of how religious philosophers guide and influence. Both Wilson and Ikeda reveal their own true wisdom by commenting about life and death issues in an intelligent, thorough and responsible way. It is a riviting dialogue between two great humanitarians.

I agree with the reader from Miami that this is one of the best books I've ever read. It is loaded with timeless and priceless advice on everything from sex to the church to war to economics to abortion to the essential nature of life and the universe itself. These two remarkable men, Wilson and Ikeda, have outdone themselves. I hope you can find a copy of this rare gem somewhere and see for yourself! I just found two copies of it in the zShops here at Amazon which I bought to give to other students at my university. I've also heard it is available at SGI-USA community centers.