Soka Education: A Buddhist Vision for Teachers, Students & Parents [Hardcover]

Daisaku Ikeda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

From a Japanese word meaning “to create value,” this book presents a fresh spiritual perspective to question the ultimate purpose of education. Mixing American pragmatism with Buddhist philosophy, the goal of Soka education is the lifelong happiness of the learner. Rather than offering practical classroom techniques, this book speaks to the emotional heart of both the teacher and student. With input from philosophers and activists from several cultures, it advances the conviction that the true purpose of education is to create a peaceful world and to develop the individual character of each student in order to achieve that goal.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Soka education is based on the Buddhist-influenced ideas of Japanese educational reformer Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871-1944), a contemporary of John Dewey, whose philosophy was similar in many aspects. Both believed in child-centered schooling, but Makiguchi was persecuted for his value-creating pedagogy during World War II, when Japan was intolerant of independent thinking. The Soka movement was resurrected after the war by Josai Toda, the author's mentor, and has since established schools and cultural centers worldwide. President of the Tokyo-based Soka Gakkai International (SGI), one of the most important Buddhist schools in the world, Ikeda has compiled a selection of papers and speeches he has delivered on such topics as the interrelatedness of the learning environment and the importance of creative teaching. And since the book is published by a subsidiary of SGI, it is not surprising that the didactic aspirations are flatteringly idealistic. Nonetheless, because of the popularity of Buddhism in the United States and Soka's growing number of followers, this is a worthwhile addition to academic and public libraries. Will Hepfer, SUNY at Buffalo Libs.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Daisaku Ikeda is the author of The Way of Youth, For the Sake of Peace, and The Living Buddha. He is the president of Soka Gakkai International, one of the most prominent Buddhist schools in the world today, with over 12 million members. For his role as a peace activist, he received the United Nations Peace Award.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Middleway Press (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967469740
• ISBN-13: 978-0967469744
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,318,290 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Daisaku Ikeda is the president of the Soka Gakkai International and the founder of the Soka University of America. He is the author of For the Sake of Peace, Unlocking the Mysteries, and The Way of Youth.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Illuminating Insights for School Reform, November 17, 2001

By 

Ted L. Miller (MI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soka Education: A Buddhist Vision for Teachers, Students & Parents (Hardcover)

Daisaku Ikeda is a prolific author who presents a Buddhist perspective on a vast array of topics. His message is that people have boundless creative potential for bringing about positive change. His works are always uplifting. Soka Education is no exception. It offers clear guidelines for educational reform. The focus is not on pedagogical strategies, but on fundamental issues such as the purpose of education, the qualities of great educators, causes and solutions of teen violence, and the need to foster global citizens. Where teachers, administrators, politicians, and parents apply the wisdom of this book, schools will become more humane places and young people will blossom.

The Japanese term "Soka" means creative, contributive living; Soka Education is education that empowers students, enabling them to lead happy, fulfilled lives. Ikeda objects to using schools to serve nationalistic or corporate ends. Japan did so throughout the past century, and is now suffering the consequences. To counter that trend, Ikeda has founded "Soka schools" in Japan (kindergarten through university) and elsewhere that are characterized by joyful, enthusiastic students; wise, affectionate teachers; and a prevailing belief that every student has a unique and important role to play in the world. I have visited many of those campuses; no experience has ever given me greater cause for optimism about the future.

The current thrust in the USA is to gear instruction toward raising standardized test scores. This is a step away from placing students' interests and needs first. In Soka Education, Ikeda calls for "a society that serves the essential needs of education." In contrast to this notion, American society, with politicians leading the fray, heaps blame and abuse on teachers. What's worse, the schools most in need of support-inner-city schools, for example-come under the harshest attacks. To counter the dark, conservative mood that holds sway in the USA and other countries, hopeful, practical prescriptions are needed. Soka Education provides these in abundance.

To take one example, Ikeda discusses the problem of juvenile delinquency. While the phenomenon results from an erosion of human bonds characteristic of our age, he says, educators can connect, life to life, with troubled youngsters and lead them on a path toward creative, rather than destructive, living:

"If these bonds are severed, the human spirit can only roam aimlessly in the pitch darkness of solitude. . . . It is the responsibility of adults to patiently restore the ability to communicate by listening to the voices of isolated children calling out for help from the darkness. There is a famous episode involving Socrates in which his influence on youth is described as being like an electric ray that stings those who touch it. He explains that he can electrify others because he is electrified himself. Similarly, teachers must constantly be creative if they are to evoke creativity in their students. This is an essential quality for educators. Most important is the teacher's attitude. Human interaction is the key" (pp. 74-75).

A sample of chapter titles: Reviving Education, Serving the Essential Needs of Education, Education Toward Global Citizenship, An Outspoken Advocate of Educational Reform, Humanity in Education, The Fight to Live a Creative Life.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Value education. A book on Education's restoration of Value., December 20, 2003

By 

Raheim Baltazar (West Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soka Education: A Buddhist Vision for Teachers, Students & Parents (Hardcover)

Soka means Value. This book teaches the great importance of human interaction and relationship between the mentors and mentees of today's academic institution. Soka Gakkai President Ikeda strongly encourages the reader to understand that the value of Education as for others to learn and benefit from that which they learn. He expounds the one truth of Students to respect their teachers for their inputs just as teachers respect their students for their efforts. Mr. Ikeda distinctly explains the necessary steps and practice to keeping Value in education, as he is inspired by his mentor Josei Today, and the first president of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai, Mr. Makiguchi who was a humanistic educator and a strong advocate for peace. Purchase this book today and find great value in teaching others in all aspects of life, not just in schools but in all institutions of society. Go Soka!