CENTRAL and SOUTH AMERICA

The founder has visited 12 counties in Central and South America, holding dialogues with dignitaries including, Joaquín Balaguer, president of the Dominican Republic, Patricio Aylwin Azócar, Patricio Aylwin

Azócar, president of Chile, Oscar Arias Sánchez, president of Costa Rica, and Fidel Castro, president of the Council of State of Cuba. He has received acclaim as an outstanding guardian of peace and a person of

action who acts with a strong commitment to sincerity and virtue. Sixty-nine academic honors have been awarded to him by institutions in Central and South America. The founder's passion for working toward

peace and education has strengthened and deepened the bond of friendship that ties Japan to Central and South America.

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From a conferment speech

Francisco José Delich (Rector of the National University of Córdoba, Argentina)

Rector Delich proudly stated the founder taught us that human beings can overcome the conflicts that arise from different cultures and religions, and that they can build friendships that transcend regional differences and geographical and chronological distances. Rector Delich claimed that it is this universal message of peace and fraternity that transcends all "borders," including those between hearts, which restrict humans due to our limited intelligence, to unite humanity as one. (February 19, 1993)

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From an acknowledgement speech

The founder spoke about one of Peru's leading historians, Jorge Basadre, who once said, "What is the fundamental mission that the real liberal arts must achieve? It is to open many 'doors' and 'windows'." [Unofficial Translation). The founder said that universities are nothing less than a "door to hope" that will unlock the infinite potential of humans, and a "window to intelligence" that cultivates the future of humanity. The founder stated that it is for this reason that he has promoted exchanges between universities across the world by opening such doors and windows further, thereby sending a fresh breeze into the heart of the youth.
(June 23, 2007: Ceremony of conferment of an Honorary Doctorate from National University of El Santa, Peru)

 

1996　Honorary Doctorate of Humanities conferred by the University of Havana

The Founder was the first Japanese to be conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities by the University of Havana, one of the most distinguished universities in Latin America and the highest institution of learning in Cuba. The Founder delivered a commemorative lecture titled, Building a Great Spiritual Bridge to the New Century at the conferral ceremony.
(June 25, 1996, University of Havana Aula Magna Hall, Havana, Cuba)

 

1996　Dialogue with Fidel Castro, President of the Council of State of Cuba

“You look good in your suits and ties. … It may be difficult for people to understand that you are fighting for peace, when they always see you in your usual military uniform.” President Castro smiled shyly to these words. Through their dialogue, the Founder and Fidel Castro, President of the Council of State of Cuba affirmed to each other that dialogue and culture will be a major factor for peace in the 21st century. (June 25, 1996, Palace of the Revolution, Havana, Cuba)

Exhibits

Contributed a preface to an academic book published by the National University of Piura

The Founder contributed a preface to an academic book published in 2003 by the National University of Piura (Peru).

 

Preface to a book written by Dr. Roberto Kertész, Rector of the University of Flores

The Founder contributed a preface to a book written by Dr. Roberto Kertész, Rector of the University of Flores (Argentina).

 

“Dialogue with leaders of the world”

Founder’s book “Dialogue with leaders of the world” (Ushio Publishing, 1999)

　“What really resonates with me is that the leaders of the world all have a clear vision and a firm conviction. I have met philosophers who don’t have a degree in philosophy, people who write poems but are not poets, and professors of humanism without a doctoral degree. They all possessed an unyielding spirit strengthened through struggles amidst harsh reality. Unlike in Japan where we tend to rely on collective power, they were all undeniably an “individual” with a strong mind. Since it was such people that I talked with, I was able to experience the flowers of life, rivers, countryside, roads, and journeys of life through the dialogues. I witnessed cities of culture, moonlight of intelligence, and young leaves of hope. I found myself in seas of passion on a voyage to an ideal, a wind of poetic inspiration that stirred the harp of the heart. There were joys of friendship, anger against evil, meadow of the heart beyond borders, and spacious terrains without jealousy or deception.” ― excerpt from the “Foreword”

 

Published dialogues with intellects of South America in various languages

Dialogues between the Founder and five intellects of South America

The intellects (honorific titles omitted)　Austregésilo de Athayde, Patricio Aylwin Azócar, Cintio Vitier, Ronaldo Rogério de Freitas Mourão, Adolfo Pérez Esquivel

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President Athaide stated that our future is not something that automatically happens. It is something that we humans hew for ourselves. He claimed that one such human is the founder.

(February 12, 1993: Austregesilo de Athaide, president of the Brazilian Academy of Letters)

 

1987　Conferral of the title of Honorary Professor, Faculty of Law and Political Science by the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo

The Founder was conferred the title of Honorary Professor, Faculty of Law and Political Science by the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, the oldest university in the American continents. Rector Fernando Sánchez Martínez of the university commended the Founder for having “devoted his life to the development of peace, culture, academic studies, and education.”
(February 10, 1987, the Trustee’s office of the main building of Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)

 

1981　Conferral of the title of Honorary Professor by the National University of San Marcos

The Founder was the first Japanese to be conferred the title of Honorary Professor by the National University of San Marcos, Peru’s highest institution of learning with the longest tradition and history in Latin America. The title was awarded in recognition of his worldwide peace-building and academic exchange activities.
(April 10, 1981, Soka Gakuen auditorium, Kodaira, Tokyo)

 

1990　Honorary Doctorate conferred by the University of Buenos Aires

The Founder was the first Japanese to be conferred the title of Honorary Doctorate conferred by the University of Buenos Aires, the largest academic institution in Argentina. Professor David Prigollini, Vice Rector of the University of Buenos Aires described the Founder as “promoting democracy based on the principle of ‘respecting the dignity of every life’ and has engaged in dialogues with cultural figures and intellectuals of many countries in his effort to connect and harmonize isolated cultures together.”
(March 1, 1990, Superior Council conference room, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina)

 

1993　Honorary Doctorate (Faculty of Philosophy) conferred by National University of Asunción

The Founder was the first Japanese to be conferred the title of Honorary Doctorate (Faculty of Philosophy) by the National University of Asunción, the only national university in Paraguay. Professor Olinda, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy commended, “He has declared the dignity of humanity to the world and led a philosophical movement aimed at solidarity for world peace.” (February 22, 1993, National University of Asunción Centennial Memorial Hall, Asunción, Paraguay)

 

1993　Honorary Doctorate conferred by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

The title of Honorary Doctorate was conferred on the Founder by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, the highest institution of learning with rich tradition. Amongst the honorary doctors of the university are Dr. Toynbee (UK), USA President Kennedy, and many world’s leading intellects and important persons of the world.
(February 11, 1993, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Pedro Calmon Hall, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

 

2014　Former President of Costa Rica, Dr. Oscar Arias Sánchez delivered a congratulatory message at the 40th Soka University Graduation Ceremony

Former President Dr. Sánchez addressed the graduates saying, “I hope you will share with the world what you have learned here and be a capable person for peace.” Dr. Sánchez is the winner of the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize.
(March 20, 2014, congratulatory message for the 40th Soka University Graduation Ceremony and 28th Soka Women’s College Graduation Ceremony)

 

1993　An encounter with Austregesilo de Athayde, president of the Brazilian Academy of Letters

The Founder had a dialogue with Austregesilo de Athayde, President of the Brazilian Academy of Letters, a man of highest intelligence in Latin America. He was one of the members who drafted the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and highly acclaimed as the ‘conscience of Latin America.’ (February 9, 1993, Galeão International Airport VIP room, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

 

1994　Former President Patricio Aylwin Azócar and the rector of the University of El Valle, Doctor Gonzalo Rulz Martinez, visit Soka University

Former President of Chile, Patricio Aylwin Azócar and Rector of the University of El Valle, Gonzalo Ruiz Martinez visited Soka University and attended the 23rd Takiyama Festival as guests. The first Honorary Doctorate from the University of El Valle had been conferred on the Founder in March 1993, the previous year. (July 3, 1994, Soka University Ikeda Auditorium, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

1995　Dialogue with Argentine civil-rights activist, Dr. Adolfo Pérez Esquivel

Dr. Esquivel talking to the Founder, “I have read your book and have been looking forward to seeing you for quite some time.” Dr. Esquivel is the winner of the 1980 Nobel Peace Prize. (December 8, 1995, Soka International Friendship Hall, Shibuya, Tokyo)

 

2000　Honorary Doctorate conferred by the University of Zulia

The Founder was conferred the title of Honorary Doctorate by the University of Zulia of Venezuela. Neuro Villalobos, Rector of the university commended, “the ‘New Humanism’ advocated by Dr. Ikeda is of indispensable and most important value to mankind,” and presented the Founder with Dr. Jesús Enrique Lossada Order of University Merit, an award established in memory of Dr. Lossada, the re-founding (“La Reapertura”) father of the university. (September 1, 2000, Soka University Central Tower, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2010　Honorary Doctorate conferred by Pedro de Valdivia University

The Founder was the first to be conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Pedro de Valdivia University of Chile. A congratulatory message was sent from former Chilean President Patricio Aylwin Azócar. Rector Ángel Maulén Ríos who is also the Founder of the university stated, “I doubt there will be a greater man than Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, who embodies the ideals of humanism.”
(September 8, 2010, Soka University Central Tower, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2000　Honorary Doctorate conferred by the University of Panama

The title of Honorary Doctorate was conferred on the Founder by the University of Panama. Rector Gustavo García de Paredes of the university commended the Founder as “standing at the pinnacle of humanism” and an exemplary citizen that brings hope for the future of mankind. (September 13, 2000, Seikyo Shimbun, Shinjuku, Tokyo)

 

2004　Honorary Doctorate conferred by the University of Guadalajara

The title of Honorary Doctorate was conferred on the Founder by the University of Guadalajara of Mexico in recognition of his persevering efforts for the creation of a non-violent and peaceful society.
(September 20, 2004, Soka University Central Tower, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2000　Honorary Doctorate conferred by Latin American Technical University

The title of Honorary Doctorate was conferred on the Founder by Latin American Technical University of El Salvador. Rector Rosendo Mauricio Sermeño of the university commended the Founder for his leadership in peace building, saying that he is an exemplar for the people of the future. A certificate of special award was presented to the Founder’s wife.
(April 17, 2000, Soka University Central Tower, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

Exhibits

Medals (metal)

University of Palermo (Argentina)
Federal University of Paraná (Brazil)
National University of San Marcos (Peru)
University of El Valle (Bolivia)

 

Contributed an essay to Panama America (a Panamanian newspaper)

The Founder’s paper, titled “What we can do for peace” was published in Panama America, a newspaper issued in Panama on September 23, 2010.

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