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Daisaku Ikeda's philosophy of peace: Human revolution, dialogue and global civilization.
Urbain, Olivier
Urbain, Olivier
Publication Date
2009-08-24T15:38:53Z
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The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.
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Accepted for publication
Institution
University of Bradford
Department
Department of Peace Studies
Awarded
2009
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Abstract
Daisaku Ikeda is the Buddhist leader of one of the most visible religious movements
today, the Soka Gakkai International (SGI). In this thesis, the main research question
concerns the peace philosophy of Ikeda and its contribution to peace theory.
Daisaku Ikeda and the SGI have been the subject of several scholarly studies in the
fields of religious history and sociology. The focus of this research is on the significance
of Ikeda's contributions in the field of peace studies, where his work has not yet been
the subject of systematic investigation.
It is argued that the originality of Ikeda's philosophy of peace resides in two main
elements. First, the starting point is consistently human life and its potential for peace
and happiness, not the omnipresence of conflict. Second, he offers a coherent system
linking the individual, dialogical and global levels, which can be represented as a
triangle made of three conceptual frameworks, that of Humanistic Psychology (Human
Revolution), Communicative Rationality (Dialogue) and Cosmopolitan Democracy
(Global Civilization).
It is also argued that while being inspired by Ikeda's Buddhist spirituality and his
loyalty to his mentor Josei Toda, this secular humanist approach to peace offers an
effective and original way for all people to participate in the construction of a better
world, regardless of their religious or ideological affiliation, social background or
cultural practices.
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Type
Thesis
Qualification name
PhD