As president of Soka Gakkai International, a Buddhist movement promoting education, international cultural exchange and the establishment of world peace, Daisaku Ikeda offers insightful views on a possible path to achieving peace in For the Sake of Peace: Seven Paths to Global Harmony, a Buddhist Perspective.

Drawing from sources ranging from Aristotle to Shakyamuni Buddha, Ikeda first outlines the sources of conflict and then lists the steps to lasting peace. As imposing as this goal may sound, Ikeda places the first task in the reader’s hands: to reform individual values and practices. .

Existing governments fail, writes Ikeda, because they preference selfish concerns and goals over worldwide needs. The key goal, then, is to combine secular security and external reforms with cultural unity.

Along the way, Ikeda stresses the importance of education, cultural pluralism rather than cultural imperialism, the positive impact of globalization and art. And these reforms, he said, must come from the individual, not from the government.

What he’s saying makes sense. Ikeda understands the strength of individual reform. If, for example, an individual from one culture associates and cooperates with an individual from another culture, he or she is more likely to see past political agendas and focus on what’s best for everyone involved.

Ikeda suggests the United Nations use its globalized network to work towards disarmament, ending poverty and global justice. Among the values proposed for a new globalization are discussion and dialogue; cooperation and solidarity; laws and traditions; respecting elders; respecting children and women; respecting religion and spirituality; and valuing people regardless of their cultural background.

As he writes,

“If people from different cultural traditions are willing to work to build tolerant and enduring links rather than indulge in the temptation to dominate and forcibly influence others, the very nature of culture is such that humanity will be enriched by their interaction, and their differences will engender a renaissance of
new values.”

 

Middleway Press ; ISBN: 0967469724