Daisaku Ikeda and Dialogue for Peace

The prominent Buddhist religious leader and advocate for peace, Daisaku Ikeda, has placed dialogue at the centre of his efforts towards securing global justice and conflict resolution. However, far from constituting abstract plans for the future of the world, Ikedas dialogues represent very concrete and focused activity. He concentrates on one significant individual (such as Joseph Rotblat, Linus Pauling and Mikhail Gorbachev) at a time, or sometimes small groups, in order to attempt the transformation of thinking and society through intense discussion. This book offers detailed exploration of this crucial aspect of Ikedas philosophy of peace. Contributors examine topics such as: the background to Ikedas dialogic thinking as found in the Lotus Sutra- Buddhism as a practical philosophy of dialogue- Ikedas use of dialogue, specifically in the field of education- and dialogue in relation to the abolition of nuclear weapons. Ikedas concept of dialogue emerges as a paradoxical movement towards common ground based on respectful difference. This study will appeal to students of peace, politics and modern Buddhism.