The Human Revolution, Volume One

by Daisaku Ikeda

The first volume in a five-volume work in the form of a slightly fictionalized biography describing the development of Soka Gakkai, the worldwide religion based on Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0834800748
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Weatherhill
• Length: 250 Pages
• Weight: 1.26 lbs.

Customer Reviews

One of the Most Important Stories of the 20th Century

This continuing story of Dr. Ikeda's travels and struggle for World Peace based on education, culture, and exchange of dialogue is truely fascinating material. The youthful leader of an extraordinary "Value Creation Society" dedicated to helping to remove the suffering of the common people, President Ikeda reveals the true story of one man's dedication to realising the dream of a peaceful society unplagued by the horrors of war and social injustice. Truely an inspiring book!

Rosa Parks and The Human Revolution

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.

Tina Turner Introduced Me To Daisaku Ikeda's Writings

Tina Turner is the reason I found this book, and all others by Daisaku Ikeda, president of the Soka Gakkai International. After hearing Tina Turner speak about her Buddhist practice in interviews, and hearing her give credit to Buddhism for her happiness and in life, I decided to look further into it myself. Tina Turner is one of my favorite performers, and her life story has inspired me for many years. Tina mentioned Daisaku Ikeda as the person who brought Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, the practice of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, to America. This book in particular, THE HUMAN REVOLUTION, is the story of Mr. Ikeda's struggle to build the foundation of Soka Gakkai, the organization that brought this form of Buddhism to the rest of the world.This is the Buddhist practice to which Tina attributes her spiritual fulfillment and strength. Thanks to Tina's explanations, I was able to locate the SGI-USA and from there I discovered many profound, inspirational and educational writings by Daisaku Ikeda. This book is just one of Mr. Ikeda's many contributions to further the understanding of Buddhist principles and their application in every day life.I highly recommend that anyone interested in the Buddhist practice of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo read the writings of Daisaku Ikeda to learn more about Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism as well as the Soka Gakkai.

Out of the ashes

The Soka Gakkai was forged out of the rubble of postwar Japan. This is the story of how a small group with a generally poor and ill membership overcomes the harshness of the environment and forged a new chapter of Buddhism. For the critic above one simple question, has anyone who has criticized the SGI done anything to help humanistic causes all over the world? The only thing critics have to offer is silence.