Daisaku Ikeda

Daisaku Ikeda
Daisaku Ikedais a Buddhist philosopher, educator, author, and anti-nuclear activist. He served as the third president of the Soka Gakkai, the largest of Japan's new religious movements. Ikeda is the founding president of the Soka Gakkai International, the world's largest Buddhist lay organization, with approximately 12 million practitioners in 192 countries and regions...
NationalityJapanese
ProfessionReligious Leader
Date of Birth2 January 1928
CountryJapan
Daisaku Ikeda quotes about
beautiful art what-matters
We should all develop the mind to rejoice in, praise and share in the gift of those who have artistic talents and a richness of heart, whether they achieve wide recognition or not. Cultivating such a beautiful mind is a very worthy effort. Culture and art are not just decorations. They are not just accessories. What matters is whether culture enriches the essential substance of our lives.
heart substance matter
One's true worth as a human being is not a matter of outward appearance or title, but derives rather from the breadth of one's spirit. Everything comes down to faith and conviction. It is what is in one's heart, and the substance of one's actions that count.
challenges world matter
When we have a genuine sense that, no matter how difficult our present circumstances, we are not alone-that we are vitally connected with others and with the world-we will, without fail, rise up to the challenge of living again.
destiny what-matters moments
We are responsible for our own destiny. What matters is how we improve ourselves from this moment forward.
winning important matter
While it is important to win, it’s even more important to remain undefeated no matter what happens.
giving-up matter spirit
No matter how hopeless or bleak things appear, the moment always comes when suddenly our spirit revives, and hope is reborn. That is why we must never give up.
adversity cosmos matter
The human spirit is as expansive as the cosmos. This is why it is so tragic to belittle yourself or to question your worth. No matter what happens, continue to push back the boundaries of your inner life. The confidence to prevail over any problem, the strength to overcome adversity and unbounded hope — all reside within you.
character may matter
Never be shaken, no matter what happens or what others may say. Never be flustered; never lose confidence. This is the way we should strive to live our lives. Being able to do so is a sign of genuine character.
what-matters people made
What matters is the value we’ve created in our lives, the people we’ve made happy and how much we’ve grown as people.
people challenges inspire
People who cease to grow can't inspire others. Leadership begins with challenging oneself.
tired heart humane-way
What we need most is to restore and revive our humanity. We must create a society where people can live with dignity, a society where people can live in peace and happiness. People are tired of games played for power and profit. People are tired of hatred and conflict. They want to live with more wisdom and confidence, and in peace. It may seem like a long and distant path, but I am convinced that the 21st century must see a movement to sow the seeds of peace, happiness and trust in every person's heart. The seeds of a truly humane way of life. I am convinced this is the only path.
beautiful forever age
Youthfulness is not determined by age. It is determined by one's life force. One who possesses hope is forever young. One who continually advances is forever beautiful.
anniversary cities hiroshima-and-nagasaki
I have for some time urged that a nuclear abolition summit to mark the effective end of the nuclear era be convened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the 70th anniversary of the bombings of those cities, with the participation of national leaders and representatives of global civil society.
expression democracy transition
Having lived through the transition from totalitarianism, I am acutely mindful of the need to never take for granted the basic freedoms of thought, expression and belief that democracy brings.