NORTH AMERICA

Seventeen universities in the U.S. and Canada have conferred academic honors on the founder as tokens of their high regard for his humanistic education and work for peace.

The founder has meetings with many leading intellectuals in America, including Doctor John Kenneth Galbraith, Doctor Linus Carl Pauling, and Doctor Norman Cousins. He has also delivered commemorative

lectures at institutions such as Harvard University and Columbia University Teachers College,

Soka University of America, which opened in 2001 with the slogan of "Foster leaders of pacifism in the world," has a strong reputation in the U.S. education community.

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From an acknowledgement speech

“No matter how dark the age may be, it is important to believe in the nobility of spirit existing within the hearts of all people. It can be said that this is the starting point for education. Education is not simply a matter of polishing the intellect, but rather it is for developing the spirit and enriching a desire to work for the welfare of others. The essence of humanistic education lies in the art of drawing forth from young people their limitlessly refreshing spirit and potential, which leads each person to happiness."

(December 16, 2003: Conferment ceremony for an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Chapman University. U.S.)

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From a conferment speech

Walter Wendler (Chancellor of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, U.S.)

"[Mr. Ikeda's] generosity, intellect, and spirit have created harmony in a world of disharmony. His deep understanding of our dreams for peace, a better life and a better world continue to inspire thousands across every continent on our planet. He is a man of his time and a man before his time." (June 6,2006)

 

1993　Delivering his second commemorative lecture at Harvard University

The Founder delivered his second commemorative lecture at Harvard University at the joint invitation of Harvard Department of Anthropology and Applied Theology, Harvard Divinity School. Many voices of sympathy were heard from the audience and the professors who gathered for the historic lecture titled Mahayana Buddhism and Twenty-first Century Civilization.
(September 24, 1993, Yenching Hall of Harvard University, Cambridge, USA)

 

1991　Delivering his first commemorative lecture at Harvard University

At the invitation of Harvard University, the Founder delivered a commemorative lecture titled The Age of "Soft Power" and Inner-Motivated Philosophy at the oldest university in the USA and the world’s premier hall of intellectuals. (September 26, 1991, Wiener Auditorium of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, USA)

Exhibits

Medal (metal)

A medal presented from the Université Laval Rector Denis Brière to Soka University.
An Honorary Doctorate of Education was conferred on the Founder by the university. May 4, 2010

 

Medal (metal)

A medal presented to Soka University by Chapman University (USA). An Honorary Doctorate of Humanities was conferred on the Founder by the university (December 16, 2003). 2006

 

Ornament (metal, wood)

A penholder with a clock presented to the Founder by the University of Denver (USA). An Honorary Doctorate of Education was conferred on the Founder by the university. June 8, 1996

 

Talking Pictures

Ms. Rosa Parks referred to the photo taken together with the Founder as capturing “the most precious moment of my life.”

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"Your commitment in your 2003 United Nations proposal to 'remaining committed to dialogue under any circumstance'

illuminates perhaps our only hope for true and lasting peace.”

(December 16, 2003: Hamid Shirvani, provost of Chapman University)

 

1996　Delivering a commemorative lecture at Columbia University Teachers College

The Founder delivering a commemorative lecture at Columbia University Teachers College, where philosopher Dr. John Dewey taught. The Founder’s lecture was titled Thoughts on Education for Global Citizenship, calling for a world educators’ summit to promote education for raising awareness on global issues.
(June 13, 1996, Milbank Chapel of Columbia University, New York, USA)

 

1974　Delivering a commemorative lecture at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

The Founder delivered a commemorative lecture titled Toward the Twenty-first Century. He shared his “theory of life” that he had developed through his dialogue with Dr. Toynbee. He expressed his hope that “each one of us can be a builder and pioneer standing at an unprecedented turning point.”
(April 1, 1974, Dickson Hall of the University of California, Los Angeles, USA)

 

1993　Welcoming Ms. Rosa Parks

The Founder sang “We Shall Overcome” a key anthem of the American civil rights movement to welcome Ms. Rosa Parks, “the mother of the freedom movement.” Through their dialogue, the Founder and Ms. Parks shared their common hope for the peace and prosperity of mankind, especially for the development of the youth.
(January 30, 1993, Soka University of America, Calabasas, USA)

 

1993　Delivering a commemorative lecture at Claremont McKenna College

The Founder delivered a commemorative lecture, titled “In Search of New Principles of Integration” at Claremont McKenna College, the institution of the “rising sun” of America. He stated that “Human beings can only come to understand oneself and others and become truly human by training oneself in the ‘sea of words’ and ‘sea of dialogue” in the context of their cultural traditions.”
(January 29, 1993, Pickford Auditorium of Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, USA)

 

1993　Meeting with Doctor Linus Pauling

Dr. Linus Pauling, the founding father of molecular biology, is the winner of two Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and Peace. He and the Founder shares a deep commitment for peace. He said, “Our real enemy is not the Soviet Union or the United States, but war itself.” It was their fourth dialogue. (March 16, 1993, San Francisco, USA)
 

1996　Honorary Doctorate of Education conferred by the University of Denver

An Honorary Doctorate of Education was conferred on the Founder by the University of Denver. 5,000 graduates, parents and citizens in attendance celebrated the honor from the University of Denver, a university with 130 years of tradition.
(June 8, 1996, University of Denver, Denver, USA)

 

1996　Delivering a commemorative lecture at the Simon Wiesenthal Center

The first Makiguchi Memorial Human Rights Conference was held, hosted by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a prominent international human rights organization. The Founder was invited to the conference and delivered a commemorative lecture titled Makiguchi's Lifelong Pursuit of Justice and Humane Values.
(June 4, 1996, Simon Wiesenthal Center - Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles, USA)

 

2010　Honorary Doctorate of Letters conferred by George Mason University

The Founder was conferred Honorary Doctorate of Letters by George Mason University (USA) for his significant contributions to peace, education, and cultural projects. A grand conferral ceremony was held at the presence of Provost Peter N. Stearns of the university. (June 28, 2010, Soka University Central Tower, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2002　Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters conferred by Morehouse College

The Founder became the first Japanese to be conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by Morehouse College, the alma mater of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., activist and leader in the American civil rights movement. Hiromasa Ikeda, Soka University Trustee visited the university to receive the honor on behalf of the Founder. Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., Founding Dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel said, “We are fortunate to have found Dr. Daisaku Ikeda as a “living example” and leader who embodies the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King.”
(April 7, 2002, Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, Atlanta, USA)

 

1987　Dr. Henry A. Kissinger visits Soka University

Ever since Dr. Henry A. Kissinger first met the Founder in 1975, he had deepened his understanding about Soka University through repeated dialogues with the Founder. Dr. Kissinger was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Soka University for his wide-ranging achievements including support for educational exchange with various universities in the United States. He was the winner of the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize. (September 13, 1987, Soka University Central Tower, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2000　Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters conferred by the University of Delaware

The Founder was the first Japanese to be conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Delaware, a prestigious university in the United States. Professor David P. Roselle, President of the university commended the Founder as a “peace builder” who nurtures “global citizens who contribute to the world.”
(January 15, 2000, Tokyo Makiguchi Memorial Hall, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2010　Honorary Doctorate of Education conferred by Université Laval

An Honorary Doctorate of Education was conferred on the Founder by Université Laval (Canada), one of the most prestigious and historic universities in the American continent. Rector of the university, Denis Brière complimented, “For over four decades, Dr. Ikeda has tirelessly promoted education to foster global citizens.” (May 4, 2010, Soka University Ikeda Auditorium, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

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