On February 23, 2023, SGM hosted a lecture at the SGM Culture Centre delivered by Soka Gakkai International (SGI) General Council member Dr. Akash Ouchi. The lecture was based on SGI President Ikeda’s speech “Peace and Human Security: A Buddhist Perspective for the 21st Century,” presented at the East-West Centre in Hawaii in 1995.
Dr. Ouchi shared the three transformations President Ikeda envisioned for the 21st century: From knowledge to wisdom; from uniformity to diversity, and from nationality to human sovereignty. He emphasised that in the 21st century, people should possess wisdom to build peace, and the wisdom of Buddhism can help one transform from a “lesser self” to a “greater self.”
He also stressed that being uniform in the 21st century is impossible, and President Ikeda urged people to respect and support each other so that everyone’s values can be brought forward. Dr. Ouchi also touched on the recent Russian-Ukraine conflict, which has once again highlighted the importance of safeguarding humankind’s safety. The “Seven Questions for Security,” posed by Shakyamuni to a Brahman king, illustrate that conquering others is impossible and counterproductive.
In conclusion, Dr. Ouchi stated that all transformations start with our own human revolution, which can lead to a world free from violence and war. The lecture was attended by 244 representatives from SGM, Soka International School Malaysia, Tadika Seri Soka, and state central leaders.
