Clark Strand, a former Zen monk, journalist and writer from the United States, guides us to discover the Soka Gakkai and Nichiren Buddhism from a novel perspective: that of an "unconverted" sympathizer.
Strand points out that the strength of the Soka Gakkai, which has become a global movement in just a few decades, lies in the fundamental tool of discussion meetings, based on sharing experiences and encouraging one another.
In his journey within a movement and teaching that have often generated misunderstandings and misconceptions in other Buddhist schools, Strand starts with Makiguchi, the educator who opposed militarism, then portrays his disciple Toda and his insight into who or what the Buddha really was, and arrives at Ikeda's global vision and his redefinition of the role of religion.
The resulting picture reveals qualities and strengths that often not even members of the association are aware of, and points to the Soka Gakkai as an example of a modern movement dedicated to the good of humankind.
