"... a commitment to human-focused education—education of, by, and for human beings. When I first spoke at Harvard University, I made reference to the ideas of Emerson and expressed my sense that nothing is more needed in our world today than an inner-motivated spirit of autonomy and self-mastery. This expresses itself in the world as “soft power” issuing from the vast creative energy residing in the depths of human life.
Experience has shown us that unless ordinary citizens develop their wisdom, they too easily fall prey to the machinations of those who would abuse their power. It is from this that the need for humanistic education arises, the kind of education that enables people to transform themselves and, through that transformation, to change their societies."
Excerpt from a message by Daisaku Ikeda at the 1st Annual Ikeda Forum for Intercultural Dialogue, held October 2004.
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi: For the Happiness of Children (Kinokuniya Presents Modern Japanese Intellectuals No. 33)Ikeda Library • 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 • 949-480-4205 • library@soka.edu • © 2021 Soka University of America
