In conjunction with its “2013 Book Donation Campaign” involving more than 30 institutions of higher learning, Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) presented a total of 150 books to Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad of Universiti Putra Malaysia on 25th November 2013 at the university’s library.
YBhg. Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Fauzi b. Hj Ramlan, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) received the collection of books authored and co-authored by Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, President of Soka Gakkai International. Dr. Daisaku Ikeda was conferred the Honorary Doctorate of Letters by UPM on 29 November 2000, as recognition to his outstanding contribution in promoting peace, culture and education globally.
Dr. Ikeda has made significant contributions in so many different important areas that affect the future of humanity. He is a prolific writer, a man of letters, a poet laureate, a photographer, a thinker, a philosopher, a scholar, an educator, a social activist and a passionate fighter for the cause of peace. Many of Mr. Ikeda’s works have been published in more than 40 languages and many are in the form of dialogue with a wide range of thinkers around the world. Dr. Ikeda’s works such as “Choose Life,” “Global Civilisation – A Buddhist –Islamic Dialogue”, “A Dialogue Between East and West”, “A Lifelong Quest for Peace”, etc. have been translated into the Malay language and published in Malaysia.
As an impassioned advocate of dialogue for peace, Mr. Ikeda had travelled widely and has been engaged in dialogue to promote creative responses to the pressing issues facing humankind. He has sought to build bridges of understanding among people of different nations and cultures, from diverse philosophical and faith traditions. Many of these are dialogues with experts in particular fields. They all, however, are driven by an urgent desire to find creative paths out of the quandaries in which humankind is enmeshed.
The following are some abstracts of the books:
“Choose Life – A Dialogue” (“Memilih Kehidupan Satu Dialog”): A dialogue between Dr. Arnold Tonybee and Dr. Daisaku Ikeda. This is the record of a thought-provoking discussion between an eminent historian from United Kingdom and an influential religious leader from Japan who represent different traditions but share the same commitment to finding answers to the great questions that confront the contemporary world. The volume covers a number of issues ranging from specific to global and transcending generations – perennial problems of human nature and our relationship to other creatures, the environment, and the universe.
“Global Civilisation – A Buddhist –Islamic Dialogue” (“Perabadan Global – Dialog Buddha-Islam”), a dialogue between Majid Tehranian, an Iranian and peace activist and Dr. Daisaku Ikeda. Both authors in this book trace spiritual sources from the Buddhist and Islamic traditions to discover how the spirit underlying them can be applied in the present. Meanwhile, they provide the readers a place to stand from which to build a new global civilization based upon mutual tolerance and harmony.
“A Lifelong Quest for Peace” (“Sepanjang Hayat Mencari Keamanan: Sebuah Dialog”), a dialogue between Dr. Daisaku Ikeda and Dr. Linus Pauling, a two-time Nobel laureate, on their lifelong devotion to the cause of peace. The dialogue covers many important topics, such as war and peace, moral decay, euthanasia, and population explosion. The book contains the ardent wishes, hope and inspiration of these two great men for world peace, and the health and happiness of the people of the world.
Dr. Ikeda expressed that it would be a great joy to him if the books could serve as an impetus to bring forth continuously capable people from the rich land of Malaysia. SGM sincerely wish that the collection of books will be shared and read by more people thereby instilling in their hearts immense hope for a brighter future filled with harmony and peace.
Soka Gakkai Malaysia
Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) is an NGO and lay Buddhist organisation working towards the establishment of peace in society through the promotion of culture and education. SGM activities are conducted with the shared understanding of the inseparable linkage that exists between individual happiness and the peace and development of the society. Through inner-directed reformation, SGM members hope to contribute to the betterment of their communities. SGM is also involved in a wide range of activities which include participating in national and state events such as Citrawarna and National Day celebrations, holding of public lectures, seminars, music performances, exhibitions and welfare related activities.
