EUROPE

The founder paid his first visit to Europe in October 1961. During his stay in West Germany, he announced his determination to realize world peace. In front of the Berlin Wall, he proclaimed, "I am sure that in 30 years this Berlin Wall will no longer stand." Since then, he has held many dialogues with leaders and intellectuals in European countries, including meetings with prominent British historian, Arnold J. Toynbee,

in 1972 and 1973. The historian said to the founder, "I myself have received a number of honorary doctorates from universities around the world, and I am sure that you will receive many times more."

Close

From a conferment speech

Antonio La Spina (Department of Communications Chair at the University of Palermo, Italy)

Professor La Spina believes that the ability of the founder to create value through numerous meetings between people with a great many differences may already be well known to the general public. By publishing this collection of dialogues, says La Spina, the founder also gains the opportunity to speak with a broad variety of other people besides his dialogue partners. In terms of content and communication style, La Spina continues, the founder weaves into the conversation opinions that are backed by the beliefs of his interlocutor, thereby increasing the value of the exchange. This so-called “joint-front communication

strategy" enables the founder's proposals to become deeper and achieve greater insight, thereby broadening the scope of the readers. It is an unconventional style, and is not necessarily one that can be easily copied or used effectively by another person. (March 23, 2007)

Close

From an acknowledgement speech

"The power of friendship unites many hearts" (unofficial translation]—the founder has cherished this belief of the great philosopher Pythagoras since his teenage years. He says that Sicily, where the lofty University of Palermo stands, has been one of the great stages of grand human exchanges, across which countless philosophers including Pythagoras and Plato have worn immortal paths. He also states that, since ancient times and around the world, different peoples have met and different civilizations have come together to paint a dazzling history upon a grand scroll. The founder believes that wherever grand exchanges take place, grand creations are born, stating that this is precisely the "pleasure in diversity" (unofficial translation) proclaimed by Cicero, the great rhetorician of ancient Rome.

(March 23, 2007: Conferment ceremony for an Honorary Doctorate of Communication Sciences from the University of Palermo)

 

1994　Honorary Doctorate conferred by the University of Glasgow

Dr. J. Forbes Munro, the Clerk of Senate of the University of Glasgow commended the Founder as “an international humanist and an important figure for world culture” in his recommendation speech at the conferral ceremony.
(June 15, 1994, University of Glasgow Bute Hall, Glasgow, UK)

 

2009　State Council of China presents Founder with the 1st Honorary Doctorate from Northeast Normal University

An honorary Doctorate was conferred on the Founder by Queen's University Belfast, a prestigious academic institution in Northern Ireland. The university’s president, Peter Gregson, commended the civil diplomacy efforts of the Founder saying, “he has committed himself to ‘dialogue’ as a foundation for building peace” (May 18, 2009, Soka University Central Tower, Hachioji, Tokyo)

Exhibits

Japanese version of “Formes et Forces (Forms and Forces)” with an inscription by the author

A book written as the culmination of a life’s work of the French author, René Huyghe, known as a world-class art historian. In 1981, a dialogue between the Founder and Mr. Huyghe was published as “Dawn After Dark: A Dialogue.” September 1962　* A replica of the original book is exhibited.

 

Medal (metal)

　Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Bulgaria
　University of Bologna, Italy

 

Plates (metal)

Two plates presented to Soka University from Daniel Valchev, Vice-Premier and Minister of Education and Science of Bulgaria
The Vice-Premier delivered a commemorative lecture titled “Globalism and Identity” upon his visit to Soka University. July 2, 2007

Close

"Interfaith dialogue will become the cornerstone of a whole civilization of dialogue. Our own discussion shows that dialogue and mutual cooperation among all religions is both possible and desired by all humanity." (President of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, Felix Unger)

 

1961　Paying his first visit to Europe

On his first trip to Europe, the Founder visited the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Standing in front of the Berlin Wall, he was determined to devote his life to the realization of world peace. He visited Copenhagen, Berlin, Vienna, Rome, and nine other countries. (October 8, 1961, Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, West Germany)

 

1970　Meeting with the Count of Coudenhove-Kalergi

The Founder had a meeting with the Count of Coudenhove-Kalergi, the father of European integration, and discussed wide-ranging issues including the history of Buddhism, global trends, and the future of Japan. Count Kalergi commended the Founder for his achievements for the prosperity of mankind and said that now is the time for Buddhism to spread throughout the world as a contribution to peace through the relationship between the East and West.
(October 7, 1970, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Shinjuku, Tokyo)

 

1972　Paying his visit to the University of Cambridge

The Founder paid his first visit to the University of Cambridge, one of the most prestigious universities in the United Kingdom with a history and tradition dating back to the 13th century, and has Newton and Darwin among its alumni. He had a lively exchange of views with Professor Michael Loewe, Dean of the university and others about higher education, the relation between religion and education, and other issues. (May 7, 1972, University of Cambridge campus, Cambridge, UK)

 

1973　Meeting with Doctor Arnold J. Toynbee

The dialogue exchanging wisdom of the East and the West between the founder and Dr. Arnold J. Toynbee, one of the leading historians of the 20th century, lasted 10 days over a period of two years, totalling 40 hours. The themes of their conversation ranged from theory of life, the future of Earth’s civilization, environmental challenges, war and international problems, health, and welfare, to philosophy and religion, and more. Their topics of interest never seemed to be exhausted.
(May 19, 1973, home of Dr. Arnold J. Toynbee, London, UK)

 

1975　Meeting with French novelist André Malraux

The Founder had a dialogue with French novelist André Malraux at Mr. Malraux’s home in the suburbs of Paris, about cooperation with the Third World, paths for Japan to take, world affairs, and the propects for the 21st century. They also discussed about Mr. Malraux’s book “La Condition humaine (The Human Condition)” touching on various subjects, including art theory and human revolution. (May 19, 1975, home of Mr. André Malraux, in the suburbs of Paris, France)

 

1981　Meeting with Doctor Aurelio Peccei, the founder of the Club of Rome

The Founder had a meeting with Doctor Aurelio Peccei, the founder of the Club of Rome, which is “an organization that seeks the path for the survival of humanity.” In the dialogue, they discussed about various subjects ranging from world affairs to leadership theories.
(June 1, 1991, Hotel Villa Cora, Florence, Italy)

 

1991　Dialogue with Richard von Weizsäcker, the first president of reunited Germany

The Founder met with the first President of the reunited Germany, Richard von Weizsäcker, who is also a philosopher-politician. They discussed matters such as education, an open society, and more. During the meeting, the Founder presented a long poem “Shinsei doitsu no ryoshin wo tatau (Glory to the Conscience of the reborn Germany)” to President Weizsäcker. (June 12, 1991, Office of the President, Bonn, Germany)

 

1989　Dialogue with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher

The Founder met with UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. They exchanged views on Japan-UK relations and leadership theories, and discussed peace, education, and environmental issues. (May 22, 1989, Office of the Prime Minister, London, UK)

 

1987　Meeting with French art historian René Huyghe

The Founder and the French art historian René Huyghe were delighted to see each other again after four years. They had a dialogue about such themes as “civilization and spirit” and “the inner and outer worlds.” The Founder and Mr. Huyghe who consistently fought for ‘esprit’, published a dialogue titled “Dawn After Dark: A Dialogue.” (May 30, 1987, European Conference Center, Bièvres, France)

 

1994　Dialogue with Lech Walesa, President of the Republic of Poland

The Founder met with Poland President Lech Walesa, who was visiting Japan as a state guest, and talked about cultural exchange between Japan and Poland. The President was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983. (December 8, 1994, State Guest House, Tokyo)

Close

Like the waterfall fierce Like the waterfall unflagging Like the waterfall unfearing Like the waterfall merrily

Like the waterfall proudly - A man should have the bearing of a king."

（June 15. 1994: University of Glasgow, from a recommendation speech delivered by J. Forbes Munro, the Clerk of Senate of the university's executive board)

 

1983　Delivering a commemorative lecture at the University of Bucharest
The Founder visited the University of Bucharest, Romania, with a history dating back to its foundation in 1864, and delivered a commemorative lecture titled Standing at the Crossroads of Civilizations. His lecture which captured the deep currents of history and aimed to fuse tradition and modernization deeply inspired the audience.
(June 2, 1983, University Hall of the University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania)

1989　Received Honorary Life Membership of the Bodleian Library, Oxford University
The Founder was awarded a certificate of “Honorary Life Membership of the Bodleian Library ” from Oxford University’s Bodleian Library, whose origin dates back to early 14th century. The library boasts the longest history in Europe and one of the largest book collections in the UK. Following the awarding ceremony, the Founder wrote in a special visitor’s book, “Education and books are the golden pillars”. (May 31, 1989, Bodleian Library of Oxford University, Oxford, UK)

 

1981　Delivering a commemorative lecture at Sophia University
The Founder was conferred an Honorary Doctorate from Sofia University of Bulgaria, in recognition of his achievements in promoting education, culture, and peace building through dialogue. Following the conferral ceremony, he delivered a commemorative lecture titled A Harmonious Fusion of the Cultures of East and West.
(May 21, 1981, Ceremonial Hall of Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria)

 

2006　Dialogue with Betty Williams, the President of the World Center of Compassion for Children International
The Founder had a dialogue with Ms. Williams who courageously built solidarity of peace in Northern Island. They talked about “how perpetual peace can be built.” Ms. Williams had won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976. (November 6, 2006, Tokyo Makiguchi Memorial Hall, Hachioji, Tokyo)

1989　Delivering a lecture at the Institut de France
Upon invitation from the Académie des Beaux-Arts, the Founder delivered a commemorative lecture titled Art and Spirituality in East and West at the Institut de France, known for its tradition and prestige. The members of the Académie des Beaux-Arts said, “we were inspired by your clear logic and poetic wisdom.” (June 14, 1989, Institut de France, Paris, France)

2002　Honorary Doctorate conferred by Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics
The Founder was the first Japanese to be conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics of Ukraine. The university’s Rector Anatolii Mazaraki stated “The Ukrainians have never enslaved or oppressed other ethnic groups in its history. In fact, it was always the opposite. That is why we Ukrainians have sympathy for Mr. Ikeda’s philosophy of culture, politics, ethics, and spiritual transformation meant for all human beings.”
(November 28, 2002, Soka University Central Tower, Hachioji, Tokyo)

2009　Honorary Doctorate conferred by the University College South Denmark
The Founder was conferred the first Honorary Doctorate awarded by the University College South Denmark in recognition of his outstanding contribution to human education and mutual understanding in the international community. It was his 250th honorary academic title awarded by institutions of the world. (March 21, 2009, Soka University Ikeda Auditorium, Hachioji, Tokyo)

2005　Conferral of the title of Honorary Professor by Minsk State Linguistic University
The Founder was the first Japanese to be conferred the title of Honorary Professor by Minsk State Linguistic University located in the capital of Republic of Belarus in East Europe. It was awarded in recognition of the Founder’s “resolute actions to achieve world peace and mutual understanding among different ethnicities.”
(February 20, 2005, Seikyo Shimbun, Shinjuku, Tokyo)
 

1994　Delivering a commemorative lecture at University of Bologna
The University of Bologna, the oldest comprehensive university in the world, awarded the Founder a doctoral ring, which is an award of honorary doctorate. Rector of the university, Roversi Monaco commended the Founder for his unyielding commitment and wisdom to protect peace and improve people’s lives. Following the rector’s speech, the Founder delivered a commemorative lecture titled Leonardo's Universal Vision and the Parliament of Humanity. (June 1, 1994, auditorium of the University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy)

Click here for link to next Chapter

Close