Unlike most other major religions, Buddhism depends on neither divine revelation nor an incarnation of God for its authenticity. Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, was a man who through his own efforts attained enlightenment as to the essential nature of life. For this reason, his 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.

After Shakyamuni’s death, his followers were able to establish the foundation of Buddhism and spread it beyond India, transcending national boundaries. How did they succeed in doing so? Ikeda offers his insight into the period of uncertainty in which doubt and dissention arose among his followers and discrepancies over the interpretation of Shakyamuni’s teachings were brought to the surface. Despite these problematic challenges, his disciples continuously endeavored to seek the realm of enlightenment Shakyamuni had attained and made Buddhism grow into one of the major world religions.

Buddhism started with Shakyamuni’s realization that birth, aging, sickness and death are universal sufferings of life that all human beings are destined to face. They are considered as factors that lead to our unhappiness and have been abhorred. Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism in particular, however, teaches that there can be no true happiness or enlightenment without earthly desires. Ikeda delves into each of the four sufferings and offers insight on how these unavoidable sufferings can be transformed into the causes and sources of wisdom and personal fulfillment.

How do we remain optimistic when the world seems to be falling apart around us? In these intimate essays, the author leads the reader on an inspirational journey to find answers and hope in troubled times. The book includes incisive commentaries on terrorism, good and evil, and aging and death that provide a new perspective on approaching the world with hope. The lyrical reflections on poetry and friendship highlight how such spiritual pursuits are the wellsprings of hope in dark times. Each essay suggests ways in which anyone can connect their personal search for strength, wisdom, and hope to the collective desire to bring about a just, humane, and caring society.

Tina Turner—living legend, icon to millions, and author of the “brave and wry” (Vulture) memoir My Love Story—returns with a deeply personal book of wisdom that explores her longstanding faith in Buddhism and provides a guide to these timeless principles so you can find happiness in your own life.

This new selection of writings on education—many previously published under the title Soka Education—comes from some five decades of works by Buddhist philosopher and founder of the Soka schools system, Daisaku Ikeda. From educational proposals and university lectures to personal essays, the writings not only delve into the meaning of soka (value-creating) education but offer a hopeful vision of the power of education to bring happiness to the individual and peace to the world.

‘The natural sympathy and understanding of people everywhere must be the soil in which the new humanism can thrive.’ For Daisaku Ikeda, whose words these are, education has long been one of the fundamental priorities of his work and teaching. And his emphasis on the intellectual legacy bequeathed to humanity by the great teachers of civilization is in this volume encapsulated by the notion of a ‘new humanism’: a significant residue of wisdom that in the right circumstances may be passed on to future generations, expanding horizons, making connnctions between different cultures and encouraging fresh insights and new discoveries across the globe.

Human history has been marked by the great number of people born into conditions of war, violence, oppression and social exclusion. But at the same time, this history has been shaped by the long struggle for human rights and the people who have committed themselves to the practices of solidarity and nonviolence.

Like ripples on a pond’s surface, the wisdom of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is continually expanding both in the microcosm of the individuals who practice it as well as in the macrocosm of our society and the world. And one of the greatest forces behind this spread has been the guidance and leadership of SGI President Ikeda.

Nichiren Daishonin’s writings are a compilation of teachings for victory. They are the driving force for all success—be it winning in life and society, triumphing over negative karma or defeating devilish functions.
Nichiren Buddhism is a philosophy of inner transformation empowering people to the highest degree, enabling them to develop strength, wisdom and richness of heart. Each word and phrase of Nichiren Daishonin’s writings is infused with the spirit of the Buddha to draw forth people’s inherent potential. Nichiren’s intense, compassionate wish as the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law is to help his disciples and all people achieve victory in their lives.