Indian Council of Gandhian Studies
Professor Neelakanta Radhakrishnan
Indian Council of Gandhian Studies
Professor Neelakanta Radhakrishnan
Dear President of this illustrious University, learned faculty and all the other committed and brave associates of Soka University.
Let me express my profound gratitude to all of you for being asked to send a message when you joyfully celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of this great citadel of learning by the visionary thinker, educator and peace proponent, poet laureate Dr Daisaku Ikeda.
l should begin by saluting the founder of this University Dr Daisaku Ikeda fifty years ago as the fulfillment of both a dream and commitment to his mentor President Josei Toda to establish a school based on President Makiguchi's educational ideals reveal astonishing aspects of the bond between the mentor and disciple's unwavering loyalty to translate the mentor's theories of value – creating education In Makiguchi value-creating perspectives Ikeda skillfully invested such components that are required to promote global citizenry. He also vitalized the Soka education to make it a fit instrument of Kosen-rufu which in the wider sense of the term is world peace or education for responsible living. Ikeda has a definite philosophy of education, assiduously built around Makiguichi's vision for change and Toda's perceptions and nurtured in the Budhist humanism. At the core of Ikeda's philosophy of education lies his profound Budhist belief that life is a precious jewel Which needs to be revered and nutured.
As someone like me who has had almost four decades of association with this great experiment in offering an alternative educational experiment for a new humanity, lam convinced that the Soka Education holds a golden key to the empowerment of youth for a brave new world which will be nurtured in humanistic ideals and sustainable peace and harmony.
The Soka education today represents a vibrant interpretation of the role and power of education in human destiny.It also represents a bold and creative restructuring of the profound role of education in the art of living happily. This is to a considerable extent, due to the earnest effort on the part of. Dr. Daisaku Ikeda and his committed band of colleagues who are inspired by him to promote a 'Brave New World'-seek to promote a world without war and strife.
The Soka education, while in its basic pattern is conceived around the educational ideals and practices of Makiguchi, in its present form and intent is essentially the amplified world vision of Dr Ikeda who has infused highly innovative and creative ideas in the texture of a well conceived system followed from kindergarten to Universities. It is now much higher, deeper than what the founder of Soka Gakkai intended education to be. It appears, there is a teacher in him, though he was never a teacher professionally.
Kindly accept our greetings, best wishes, prayers as you march ahead and celebrate the 50years of your founding.
