Books and magazines
-
Esperia An economy for people
It is indisputable that economics plays a vital role in our lives, both on an individual and societal level. Yet, many people find the topic complex and difficult to deal with and tend to avoid dealing with it. In this dialogue, economist Lawrence J. Lau and Buddhist philosopher and president of the International Soka Gakkai Daisaku Ikeda approach the topic of the development of economics in modern society from a historical perspective, examining what lessons can be learned from the East Asian currency crises in 1997 and the global financial crisis in 2007-2009. Touching on various topics, the authors help readers understand the challenges that globalization has imposed on economies, the importance of government regulation of markets, and the delicate issue of combining a country's economic growth with the well-being of the population as a whole. These conversations, in which the economic aspects are not separated from people's daily lives, thus become small lessons in economics, in which, thanks to simple language within everyone's reach, we can begin to unravel the mystery of economics, a discipline that concerns the backbone of the world in which we are immersed, knowledge of which is often precluded by technical complexities and specialized terminology. "Economics," said economist John Kenneth Galbraith, "must serve for human happiness," and "the fundamental force that moves the economy is people." Daisaku Ikeda is president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) and leader of the Buddhist movement that draws on the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin. An activist, philosopher, educator and poet, for more than 70 years Ikeda has been dedicated to spreading Buddhist humanism around the world and building the foundation for a culture of peace. SGI, which has members in 192 countries and territories, encourages individuals to develop their inner potential and contribute as global citizens to overcome the collective challenges facing humankind. He is the founder of Soka University, which has branches in Japan and the United States, and many other institutions that are committed to finding solutions to the many crises of contemporary times. In 1983 he was awarded the United Nations Peace Prize. Lawrence J. Lau was Professor of Economics at Stanford University from 1976 to 2004, then became the sixth Vice Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, holding that position for seven years. He is the author of numerous publications including The Chinese Economy in the Twenty-first Century: An Econometric Approach. The challenge for policy lies in balancing economic growth with improving people's quality of life and ensuring that this effort is stable and sustainable. The second president of the Soka Gakkai Josei Toda often told us that individual happiness should never be sacrificed on the altar of social prosperity but that the two must advance hand in hand. I believe there is a growing urgency for economic activity to focus not only on efficiency but also on the interest of the community. Daisaku Ikeda To overcome the current crisis, developed economies must focus on reviving the real economy by walking a sustainable growth path and not inventing more financial sleight of hand. We must not lose sight of the fact that the role of the financial sector is to support other sectors of the economy and that ultimately the financial sector must rely directly on the performance of the real economy. Lawrence J. Lau
€15,90
-
Esperia The Buddhist teacher of a Baptist pastor
When some students in his religion class at Morehouse College in Atlanta told him about Daisaku Ikeda and his commitment to peace, Edward Carter Sr - founding dean of the Martin Luther King International Chapel - had no idea who he was. He regretted that he himself, a disciple of Martin Luther King, a Baptist pastor devoted to the cause of creating peace through education and action, a social science graduate and professor of religion at Morehouse College which Dr. King's was alma mater, was unaware of the work of this Buddhist leader, president of the International Soka Gakkai, an organization with millions of adherents worldwide committed to a movement for peace, culture and education on a global scale. All of this was the starting point that prompted Carter to deepen his knowledge of Daisaku Ikeda, going so far as to entertain an important interfaith dialogue with the Buddhist leader, which was also achieved through a number of direct meetings in Tokyo. From that journey came the urgency of this book written by a Baptist pastor in gratitude for the work done for peace by a Buddhist teacher. The book's subtitle captures its essence: how my interfaith journey with Daisaku Ikeda made me a better Christian. "There are basically two ways for a practitioner-or at least that is the case in Christianity-to relate to practitioners of other religions who are as dedicated to their faith as Christians are to their own. One is to convert them; the other is to learn respectfully from them, not seeking uniformity but harmony." "In my opinion Daisaku Ikeda represents an example of what it means to be a 'global citizen.' He has dialogued with ambassadors, anthropologists, economists, educators, historians, journalists, jurists, linguists, politicians, scientists, social engineers, sociologists, theologians, and urban planners, and also with me, completely changing my life." The authorLawrence Edward Carter Sr is a Baptist pastor and dean of the Martin Luther King Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta, an institution at which he is also a professor of religion. Born in Dawson, Georgia, and raised in Columbus, Ohio, he graduated from Virginia's University of Lynchburg in social sciences and psychology, and then continued his academic career at Boston University, where he earned Master of Divinity degrees in theology and Master of Sacred Theology degrees in religious assistance, as well as a doctorate in pastoral psychology and counseling. He has one son, Carter, and lives in Stonecrest, Georgia, with his wife Marva.
€16,50
-
Esperia The religion of human revolution
In the twelve lectures in this volume, taken from the series "The Buddhism of the Sun" and collected under the significant title The Religion of Human Revolution, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda outlines the contours of a genuinely humanistic religion, capable of enabling each person to revolutionize his or her own life condition and contribute to positive change in society, influencing the destiny of all humanity. Master Ikeda addresses several cardinal tenets of Buddhism and, again starting with the Daishonin's writings, explains what it means to practice Nichiren Buddhism in modern times and how the Soka Gakkai has embraced the Buddha's mandate to carry out a wide propagation of the Mystic Law, awakening numerous Bodhisattvas of Earth to their great vow. These are valuable directions from the master aimed at ensuring the eternal development of the kosen rufu movement. "In any country or society, the presence of even one member of the Soka Gakkai is the starting point for creating an era of people's victory." Daisaku Ikeda
€10,00
-
Esperia The eternal Soka citadel
"The dawn has risen"-these were the words that the young Daisaku Ikeda, on his way to Kansai to confront the authorities in what became known as the "Osaka Incident," addressed to a woman who asked for his message for the members. It was July 3, 1957. A victim of false accusations, Ikeda was imprisoned for about two weeks. When he was finally released from prison he rejoined fellow believers in Osaka, declaring with conviction that victory invariably awaits those who carry on the correct Buddhist teaching in the spirit of non-duality of master and disciple. This is ultimately the subject of the essays included in this volume, written between 2016 and 2017, in which Daisaku Ikeda points the way forward as disciples to build together a great Soka citadel, impregnable and even more solid, and to expand an increasingly diverse network of solidarity of capable people, the Bodhisattvas of the earth, who courageously face great struggles, based on the principle "Buddhism is inseparable from society." Some of the essays are specifically addressed to the Men's, Women's and Youth Divisions, always emphasizing the strength that flows from the Soka family when it advances in unity and the importance of growing the members of the Future Division, the bearers of the torch of justice.
€10,00
-
Esperia The age of wisdom
Faith is the key to triumph in life. For centuries the term elderly has been synonymous with a person rich in experience, repository of an irreplaceable wealth of knowledge and wisdom. In more recent times, the changes that have transformed our societies have accustomed us to a different image: weak, in need of care, scarcely useful, the person ahead in years is perceived essentially as a social problem. A fascinating path is outlined in this volume to restore the individual's right and ability to live a full and fulfilled life until the last, decisive moment.
€9,50
-
Esperia Young people and the writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Daisaku Ikeda's encouragements addressed to young people, based on the writings of Nichiren Daishonin. "We are living in times of rapid change, which require the active participation of young people with their characteristic courage, vitality and foresight. Now is the time to step up and take responsibility for our grand movement for the realization of kosen rufu worldwide." These are the words with which SGI President Daisaku Ikeda opens his series of dialogues with Youth Division leaders thinking about the development of the kosen rufu movement. Several salient passages from Nichiren Daishonin's writings are examined, highlighting aspects of them that draw on the fundamentals of Buddhist teaching and emphasizing their relevance to contemporary reality.
€11,00
-
Esperia The New Human Revolution vols. 21/22
The autobiographical novel of Daisaku Ikeda, president of SGI. 1975 is the founding year of the International Soka Gakkai. On January 26, representatives from more than fifty countries around the world gather on the island of Guam to celebrate the start of a worldwide peace movement. President Yamamoto is fresh from a trip to the United States during which he met with the U.N. secretary general and the U.S. secretary of state. It is the latest step in a series of initiatives he has taken to foster dialogue and détente among the world's great powers. The First World Peace Conference is an opportunity for Shin'ichi to reconfirm before all the assembled representatives the goal he was entrusted with by his mentor Josei Toda: "Mr. Toda, I will devote my whole life to realizing kosen rufu in the world in order to bring happiness and peace to all mankind." The Soka Gakkai president's people's diplomacy initiatives continue, and in April he leaves for a third trip to China, to be followed by another trip to the Soviet Union and Europe. The Soka Gakkai meanwhile continues to expand the scope of its activities. In July the city of Honolulu in the Hawai'i Islands hosts a major cultural festival that marks another new step in the kosen rufu movement around the world.
€20,00
-
Esperia The pride of being golden pillars of kosen rufu
Dedicated to the men of the Soka family. Japan's ginkgo trees come from China. In the Japanese language they are also designated by some Chinese characters that literally mean "grandfather-grandchild tree," because if someone plants a ginkgo now, the fruit will be harvested by grandchildren. I read this explanation a long time ago and still cherish the memory of it. It seems to me that this name means, "I do not live for myself, but for the sake of the generations that will come after me. I will gather all my life force and accomplish great things!" When I look at a tall ginkgo tree, my thoughts go to the people of previous generations who planted it and cared for it.
€13,00
-
Esperia The strength of hope
A great geographical and cultural distance separates Japan from Argentina. However, Daisaku Ikeda, president of the International Soka Gakkai, and Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, have managed to build a deep friendship, based on common affinities and values, in defense of human rights without borders or discrimination of any kind. Ikeda and Pérez Esquivel engage in dialogue on topics such as solidarity, the wisdom of peoples and women, resistance to totalitarianism, the search for effective action and the appreciation of different cultures, with the aim of finding a way to peace. The authors, through words and life examples, seek to convey to young people the value of energetic and passionate commitment to peace, hope and justice for their peoples and for all peoples on Earth.
€13,00
-
Esperia The most valuable asset
Buddhism and the art of medicine. Illness is one of the four sufferings of life that, according to Buddhism, unite all human beings. Man has always been afraid of it, as it impairs the ability to live life to the fullest, but Buddhist scriptures state that illnesses stimulate the spirit of seeking the "Way." In order to teach an attitude to challenge diseases on the basis of faith as well as medical knowledge, in this volume Daisaku Ikeda discusses with some experts in the field the prevention and treatment of major diseases that afflict human beings of our time. "Health is not a simple absence of disease. Being healthy involves constant challenge and constant creativity. A fruitful life, a truly healthy life is constantly advancing, always opening up new scenarios. An indomitable spirit gives the power to keep moving forward. "Daisaku Ikeda
€16,50
-
Esperia Buddhism, the first millennium
This volume addresses the development of Buddhism after the death of its founder Shakyamuni. Starting from the first council, organized by Shakyamuni's direct disciples, which brought order to the complex system of the Buddha's teachings, to the birth of the Mahayana movement, whose origins remain ill-defined. Daisaku Ikeda examines the scant historical information that has come down to us and interprets it with his characteristic originality and insight. He expounds on the essential tenets of the Lotus Sutra, the fundamental scripture of the Great Vehicle, and traces the events of some of the leading figures in the history of Buddhism: King Ashoka and the philosophers Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu, who contributed to its establishment as one of the world's major religions.
€11,00
-
Esperia Life of the Buddha
An interpretive biography of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. Daisaku Ikeda, a modern-day Buddhist leader and thinker, attempts to trace, using the scant biographical information regarding Gautama Siddharta, known as Shakyamuni or the Buddha, the motivations that drove a man who had at his disposal every wealth and earthly privilege, to abandon palaces, princely title, wife and child. He did so, probably, in reaction to discovering the fundamental sufferings of life, which are not spared even to those who enjoy a privileged existence. Ikeda retraces the young man's steps in search of the enlightenment that can liberate human beings from all constraints of suffering, engaging in a search based on scarce sources and his own experience as a Buddhist practitioner. Can what prompted Gautama Siddhartha almost three thousand years ago to undertake a very hard struggle in order to overcome the impermanence of life and find the supreme happiness represented by "awakening," or Buddhahood, still be valid today? Can his message, which has changed the lives of millions of people over the centuries throughout the East, inspire the West as well? The author, and we with him, believes so and helps us understand what the essence of the "Awakened One's" enlightenment is. The original title of the work, My Vision of Shakyamuni, suggests the spirit in which the author approached the historical Buddha, who lived in India some twenty-five centuries ago. Data on his life are in fact very few, and the only sources are texts handed down for centuries only in oral form. Reconstructing the life of the "Sage of the Shakyas" therefore means trying to go far beyond what hagiographic reports and accounts hand down to us, and making a considerable effort to interpret the many important choices Shakyamuni made during his lifetime. Ikeda makes this journey on the basis of his own experience as a contemporary religious leader, and it is precisely because of this role that he guides us to understand what is the deeper meaning of the "Awakened One's" enlightenment.
€11,00
You have seen 72 products out of 125