Buddhist Bookcast – Details, episodes & analysis

SGI-USA General Director Adin Strauss offers impressions on his reading of Daisaku Ikeda's work, A Religion of Human Revolution, where he discusses this core Buddhist concept from several angles. Through reading this book, we are able to gain confidence that we can transform any difficult situation in our environment starting with our inner change, and that nothing is out of our control. In addition, this human revolution, or inner change, marks the beginning of the social change that SGI Buddhists are striving to create, where we can live in harmony with all people and our beautiful natural world. 

In this episode, SGI-USA National Women's Leader Naoko Leslie offers insights into the latest sub-series from Daisaku Ikeda's "The Buddhism of the Sun—Illuminating the World." We delve into The Immeasurable Power of Prayer and its message about the power that one person embodies to transform any situation through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. It all comes down to developing the confidence that we possess the power of the universe within.

Matilda Buck, American pioneer of SGI Buddhism offers her thoughts on Ikeda Sensei's 95 Years: The Boundless Power of Mentor and Disciple, the latest release from World Tribune Press. Ms. Buck delves into her reaction to Mr. Ikeda's passing in November 2023 and the legacy he left the world that is captured in this six-chapter volume. Ikeda Sensei's 95 Years illustrates the limitless power ordinary people can wield when united with their mentor toward the goal of peace and uniting all people based on our shared humanity. 

Welcome to the fourth episode of the Buddhist Bookcast, discussing the latest release from World Tribune Press, Learning From the Gosho! This book includes some of the first lectures on Nichiren Daishonin's writings that Daisaku Ikeda wrote following the Soka Gakkai's spiritual independence from the authoritarian Nichiren Shoshu priesthood. SGI-USA Executive Advisor Danny Nagashima, who has practiced with the Soka Gakkai for over 70 years, shares his insights into Ikeda Sensei's lectures as well as the context of the period in which they were given.

In this episode, we discuss key sections from Daisaku Ikeda's dialogue with Civil Rights leader and scholar Vincent Harding, titled America Will Be! We delve in to the promise of America's potential as a gathering place for people around the world to unite around the share human wish to lead happy and fulfilling lives. You can also hear about the resonance between the Soka Gakkai's Buddhism movement to spread the ideals of respect for the dignity of life and the Civil Rights movement to achieve equality for all people regardless of background.