Daisaku Ikeda

Born in Tokyo on January, 2 1928 Daisaku Ikeda suffered several hardships while growing up, his family like many other families in Japan, faced challenges in World War II. At an early age he realized the futility of war and the misery it brings to human beings.

In 1947 after meeting his mentor Josei Toda he joined Soka Gakkai, a society whose aim was to promote peace, culture and education in war ravaged Japan. This was the time he started a deep study of Buddhism. In1975 Ikeda became the President of Soka Gakkai International, a Buddhist Association that today has more than 12 million members in 190 countries and territories.

Ikeda has traveled to several countries holding discussions with prominent political leaders, cultural and educational figures, on issues such as the value of religion, the universality of life and sustainable growth. He has had candid discussions with British historian Arnold Toynbee, Russian author Mikhail Sholokhov, former Chinese Prime Minister Zhou En Lai, former prime minister of India Rajiv Gandhi and anti partied leader Nelson Mandela.

Ikeda sends a peace proposal to the U.N. every year. These proposals reflect his deep desire for peace and friendship in the world and make passionate pleas for disarmament.

His 2006 proposal focused on peace in Asia, especially in areas vulnerable to terrorism and extreme poverty. He wrote in his proposal “I believe that a transformation of the inner life of a single individual can spur and encourage similar changes in others, and as this extends into society, it generates a powerful vortex for peace that can steadily shape the direction of events."

He has received a doctorate of letters from the university of Delaware (U.S.A) University of Glasgow (U.K.), Sofia University (Bulgaria), University of Buenos Aires (Argentina), Ankara University (Turkey), University of Nairobi (Kenya), University of Philippines and Kelaniya University.

Ikeda is also the recipient of the United Nations Peace Award.