The Daisaku Ikeda Library

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This historical novel in six volumes portrays the development of the Soka Gakkai in Japan, from its rebirth in the post-World War II era to the last years of its second president, Josei Toda, whom the author regards as his spiritual mentor.

The Soka Gakkai is a lay Buddhist organization rooted in the teachings of 13th-century Buddhist reformer Nichiren. It was through Toda’s leadership that the organization in Japan experienced its most dramatic growth. In telling the story of the Soka Gakkai, the author—who appears in the novel as Shin’ichi Yamamoto—renders a sensitive biography of the late Toda and his Buddhist-inspired message of empowerment and engagement.

Throughout every event and anecdote runs an essential motif: how a change of heart in even one individual—a “human revolution”—can effect change in an entire society.

These early years of the Soka Gakkai in Japan laid the foundation for what today is the worldwide movement Soka Gakkai International of more than 12 million members in 190 countries and territories.

The Human Revolution is also available in Japanese, French, Portuguese, German, Spanish, Chinese (traditional version), Korean, Italian and Dutch.

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REVIEWS

Thanks to Mrs. Rosa Parks, whom I heard speak at a Soka Gakkai International meeting in Los Angeles several years ago, I was first introduced to the books of Daisaku Ikeda and the SGI-USA. This book, "The Human Revolution," like all of its previous volumes, documents the history of the building of a Buddhist religious organization during the hectic post-war era in Japan. This organization is called "Soka Gakkai" or "Society for the Creation of Value."

Although I am not a member of this group, I am a theologian, a civil rights advocate, and a staunch supporter of the United Nations. Therefore, I have found that I have much in common with the author of this book and the members of the Soka Gakkai as detailed in "The Human Revolution."

The basic premise of "Human Revolution" is that it will not be the great institutions of the world, nor will it be religious organizations or clergy, but it will be each individual opening up their lives and realizing that he or she is in control of his or her own destiny, and therefore the destiny of his or her family, community, and even the world - this is the "revolution" that will bring an authentic peace to our world.

Now I see why Mrs. Rosa Parks told us that, while making her "Rosa Parks Picture Book Biography" that one of her favorite photos from her life was one taken with Mr. Daisaku Ikeda and his students at Soka Univeristy. If you read any of Daisaku Ikeda's books, you'll see, as I have come to see, why Mrs. Parks feels this way.
—Ruth Miller, posted on Amazon.com

The book is excellent, it gives the reader an indepth look, at how one man's vision, to create peace in the world, through culture and education can be possible. The book, in novel form continues to peak my interest, and gives me hope for the future of humankind.

Sincerely, A Massachusetts, Educator
—Mazzie, an educator, posted on Amazon.com