SOUTH EAST ASIA and OCEANIA

In January 1961, the founder marked his first step towards peace in Asia, with the earnest desire of his mentor, Mr. Josei Toda, for the "light for the people of Asia" at the forefront of his mind. For over 50 years,

He has continued exchanges with Asian countries, transcending differences in ideologies and perspectives. He has held dialogues with dignitaries in various countries in the region, including President Corazon Aquino of the Philippines, President Abdurrahman Wahid of Indonesia, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad of Malaysia, and Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. He has received a total of 36 academic honors in Southeast Asia and Oceania. The light of humanism that he has been sending to the people of Asia, alongside his desire for their happiness, is growing brighter as it holds the continent in its broad embrace.

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From a conferment speech

Brother Andrew Benjamin Gonzalez (President of De La Salle University, in the Philippines)

"We feel privileged that founder Daisaku Ikeda has consented to our offer to honor him personally because of his life's achievements for the cause of internationalism and humanitarianism. Like a true prophet, he has suffered for his espousal of peace and has even been misunderstood. But his insights into the social welfare of mankind are beacons of light for us all to follow." (March 18, 1997)

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From an acknowledgement speech

"Genuine dialogue, rooted in sincere friendship, has the power to overcome differences in nationality, to transcend borders and interests, to bring down the walls of separation. It is of utmost importance to advance in a spirit of cooperation on the path of tolerance, coexistence and creativity, while respecting diversity and bringing out the best of that diversity. Friendship realized through education, in particular, is the most powerful defense against that which would harm or undermine peace and human happiness. This was the unyielding conviction of first Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, the founder of the philosophy of Soka (value-creating) education, as well as that of his successor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda." 
 (November 29, 2000: Conferment ceremony for an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Universiti Putra Malaysia)

 

1997　Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (International Education) conferred by De La Salle University

The Founder was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by De La Salle University of the Philippines, a distinguished private institution named after the pioneer of modern education. President Andrew B. Gonzalez of the university commended the Founder as “the world’s visionary and cultural hero who has consistently believed in the goodness of human nature and advocated for the values of justice and the ideals of peace.”
(March 18, 1997, Soka University Ikeda Auditorium, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2010　Honorary Doctorate of Letters conferred by the University of Malaya

The title of Honorary Doctorate of Letters was conferred on the Founder in recognition of his contributions to peace by the University of Malaya, Malaysia’s prestigious university and one of the leading institutions of Asia. The honorary diploma was handed by His Royal Highness Sultan Azlan Shah, the Sultan of Perak and also the Chancellor of the university to Hiromasa Ikeda, Soka University Trustee who received the diploma on behalf of the Founder.
(August 2, 2010, University of Malaya Tunku Chancellor Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Exhibits

THE DLSU (De La Salle University bulletin) vol.28 no.43

The Founder was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities by De La Salle University of the Philippines (March 18, 1997, Soka University, Hachioji). THE DLSU vol.28 no.43 provided a report on the conferral ceremony.

 

Plaque (crystal)

A Plaque presented by National University of Laos to commemorate the 100th anniversary since the university’s founding. A title of Honorary Professor of Humanities was conferred on the Founder by the university. (February 8, 2006).

 

Exhibition of photos of King Bhumibol Adulyadej

An exhibition of photos capturing King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand was held in the UK in 1991. The Founder sent a message upon the opening of the exhibition.

 

Tea ware (ceramic)

Tea ware presented to Soka University by Rector Surapol Nitikraipot of Thammasat University (March 27, 2008)

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"Based on my sole desire for people's happiness, I took action for peace in Asia and the world. Because that was my goal, differences in ideology or personal status were of minor significance to me. As a result of my efforts, I was showered with completely unjustified abuse and attacks, but I had expected as much."

(September 18, 2005: From the founder's speech of acknowledgment during the conferment ceremony for an Honorary Doctorate at Vietnam National University in Hanoi, Vietnam)

 

1991　Honorary Doctorate of Laws conferred by University of the Philippines

The most honorable title of Honorary Doctorate of Laws was conferred on the Founder by the University of the Philippines upon the 80th graduation ceremony of the university. The Founder delivered a lecture titled “Peace and Business” at the graduation ceremony of the College of Business Administration of the university.
The Founder had a dialogue with the then University of the Philippines President José Veloso Abueva, which was organized by a monthly magazine called “Daisan Bunmei.” The record of the dialogue was published under the title “Marin rodo no akebono – kyosei no seiki wo mitsumete (Dawn of the Marine Road: Gazing at the century of coexistence).”
(April 21, 1991, university theatre of the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon, Philippines)

 

2002　Dialogue with the former president of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid

The Founder had a dialogue with the former president of Indonesia, Dr. Abdurrahman Wahid. Dr. Wahid smiled and expressed his joy to meet the Founder, “I have always dreamt of meeting you ever since I read your dialogue with Dr. Toynbee. My dream has come true.” (April 3, 2002, Tokyo Makiguchi Memorial Hall, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

1991　Dialogue with president of the Philippines, Corazon Aquino

The Founder paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Philippines, Corazon Aquino, the symbol of the People Power Revolution and engaged in a dialogue about the times of the people, women, and about the importance of education. The Founder presented a long poem dedicated to the President “Santare! Firipin no haha no kanmuri (Crown of the Mother of Philippines).”
(April 22, 1991, Malacanang Palace, Manila, Philippines)

 

1994　Third courtesy visit to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand

The founder paid his third courtesy visit to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand and engaged in a dialogue with the King, who had lived with the people. They discussed topics such as peace, culture, and education.
(February 8, 1994, Chitralada Royal Palace, Bangkok, Thailand)

 

2000　First foreigner to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Public Administration from Siam University

The Founder was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Public Administration by Siam University, a comprehensive private university representative of Thailand. He was the first foreigner to receive the title from the university. President Pornchai Mongkhonvanit of the university commended the Founder, “Mr. Ikeda has made unparalleled contributions to the welfare of mankind, particularly in the fields of education and peace building.” (November 5, 2000, Seikyo Shimbun, Shinjuku, Tokyo)

 

2002　Conferral of the title of Honorary Professor by the Royal University of Phnom Penh

The Founder was conferred the first title of Honorary Professor awarded by the Royal University of Phnom Penh of Cambodia. Rector Pit Chamnan of the university stated, “We are in need of great men like Dr. Ikeda who has the capacity and faith to devote oneself to the development of human society and who can be a great exemplar to others.”
(March 19, 2002, Soka University Ikeda Auditorium, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2006　Conferral of the title of Honorary Professor, Humanities, conferred by the National University of Laos

The Founder was conferred the title of Honorary Professor, Humanities by the National University of Laos. Laos Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, Buntiam Pissamai commended the Founder for “fostering young people for the future and connecting the people of the world,” and added, “I would like to become a student of Dr. Ikeda.”
(February 8, 2006, Soka International Friendship Hall, Shibuya Tokyo)

 

2005　Honorary Doctorate conferred by the Vietnam National University in Hanoi

The Founder was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by the Vietnam National University in Hanoi, an institution directly under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Office of Vietnam and the most prestigious comprehensive university in Vietnam. It was the 180th honorary academic title the Founder received from various institutions of the world. Recto Victor A. Sadovnichy of Moscow State University and other intellects of the world sent a commemorative message to the Founder to congratulate him on this historic achievement. (September 18, 2005, Soka University Ikeda Auditorium, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2009　Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy and Peace conferred by the University of Indonesia

The Founder was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy and Peace by the University of Indonesia, one of the most distinguished universities in Southeast Asia, in recognition of his unyielding peace-building efforts and track record of dialogues to connect mankind. (October 10, 2009, Soka University Ikeda Auditorium, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2000　Honorary Doctorate of Letters conferred by the University of Sydney

The Founder was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Sydney, a prestigious university of Australia. Chancellor Dame Leonie Judith Kramer of the university and many guests attended the conferral ceremony. In his recommendation speech, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Judith Kinnear commended the Founder as an “extraordinary global citizen who promotes dialogue for peace.” (November 24, 2000, Oriental Hotel, Singapore)

 

2006　Honorary Doctorate of Humanities conferred by the University of Rizal System

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary since normalization of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan, an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities was conferred on the Founder by the University of Rizal System, an institution that inherits the spirit of Dr. Jose Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines. It was the first time that the honor was awarded to a foreigner.
(November 24, 2006, Seikyo Shimbun, Shinjuku, Tokyo)

 

Exhibits

Translations of the Founder’s books

Many of the Founder’s children books and picture books have been translated in Southeast Asia

 

Published dialogues with intellects of Southeast Asia

Dialogues between the Founder and an intellect of Southeast Asia

The intellect (honorific title omitted)　Abdurrahman Wahid

 

Research paper published on an Australian academic journal

The Founder’s essay titled “Ethics and Medicine” was published in “Changing Disease Patterns and Human Behaviour,” a journal edited by the faculty members of the University of Western Australia.

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