“We are not merely passive pawns of historical forces nor are we victims of the past. We can shape and direct history.”
History
“No one should be left to suffer alone.”
AloneAll Quotes by Daisaku Ikeda
“A commitment to human rights cannot be fostered simply through the transmission of knowledge. Action and experience play a crucial role in the learning process.”
Experience“I firmly believe that the mission of religion in the 21st century must be to contribute concretely to the peaceful coexistence of humankind.”
Religion“I believe that we must maintain pride in the knowledge that the actions we take, based on our own decisions and choices as individuals, link directly to the magnificent challenge of transforming human history.”
History“History is filled with tragic examples of wars that result from diplomatic impasse. Whether in our local communities or in international relations, the skillful use of our communicative capacities to negotiate and resolve differences is the first evidence of human wisdom.”
History“When one takes action for others, one's own suffering is transformed into the energy that can keep one moving forward a light of hope illuminating a new tomorrow for oneself and others is kindled.”
Hope“In the past, human society provided encouragement and opportunity for people to extend support to each other, especially in highly stressful situations.”
Society“Living here on Earth, we breathe the rhythms of a universe that extends infinitely above us. When resonant harmonies arise between this vast outer cosmos and the inner human cosmos, poetry is born.”
Poetry“Humanity has experienced many revolutionary changes over the course of history: revolutions in agriculture, in science, industrial production, as well as numerous political revolutions. But these have all been limited to the external aspects of our individual and collective lives.”
History“Likewise, education can direct people toward good or evil ends. When education is based on a fundamentally distorted worldview, the results are horrific.”
Education“When human beings live together, conflict is inevitable. War is not.”
War“Ultimately, all human activities have as their goal the realization of happiness. Why, then, have we ended up producing the opposite result? Could the underlying cause be our failure to correctly understand the true nature of happiness?”
Failure“No one can live entirely on their own, nor can any country or society exist in isolation.”
Society“A healthy vision of the future is not possible without an accurate knowledge of the past.”
Future“Where there is an absence of international political leadership, civil society should step in to fill the gap, providing the energy and vision needed to move the world in a new and better direction.”
Leadership“A person, who no matter how desperate the situation, gives others hope, is a true leader.”
Hope“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.”
Anniversary“Leadership that exploits and sacrifices young people on the altar of its goals is nothing more than raw, demonic power. Genuine leadership is found in ceaseless efforts to foster young people, to pave the way forward for them.”
Leadership“Men and women who know the brutal reality of war, who know that war strips people of their very humanity, must unite in a new global partnership for peace.”
Peace“Rather than turning away from the staggering scale and depth of misery caused by war, we must strive to develop our capacity to empathize and feel the sufferings of others.”
War