Daisaku Ikeda (1928–2023)

Review From LibraryThing:

Although following the particular views of Nichiren as interpreted by Soka Gakkai, I think that this book is of interest to anyone who is curious about Buddhism.

In particular the first part of the book, has many stories and tales that I found fascinating. Being interested in Ancient Rome, I enjoyed reading about the connection between Ashoka and Ancient Greece, as well as Ikeda's comments on "Questions of King Milinda." Many other stories presented in the book were also interesting, such as the one about Ambapāli, a prostitute who followed Buddha. I would love to read a study comparing her with Mary Magdalene. (Perhaps "Buddha and the Gospel of Buddhism" by Ananda?)

The second part deals more with the differences between Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism and explains Buddhist, such as kū.… (more)

This was a book about a young boy and his sister, they are named Hiroshi and Akiko. They had moved to a new Island by their family one day and they thought that it was amazing and they would thrive there. They had a hard time making friends but then they made friends with one of the boys on the island. However after the young boy showing them a lot about the island, they got into a fight because the brother and sister were from the nation that had attacked the boys island in the past. Then they were sad since he didn't play with them and one day because of that Hiroshi tried to go out into the ocean river by himself in a canoe. Hiroshi slowly got pulled out in the ocean yet his friend saved him and they were afraid that they would have drowned until a fisherman saved them and brought them to safety. Then after their lesson from the ocean they all became close friends and vowed never to fight again.… (more)

When Akiko and Hiroshi move to a new island with their parents, they don't know anyone on the island and are terribly lonely until they meet Pablo. However, when Pablo asks his grandmother about the wreck in the local bay, he learns that people from Akiko and Hiroshi's island had attacked Pablo's island many years ago. Akiko and Hiroshi's ancesters where the "enemy." So, Pablo decides to not be friends with Akiko and Hiroshi. A near-tragedy brings them together again and they learn that their ancient ancestors all came from the same place, carried around the world by boat. They realize that humanity is truly one large family and that war from the past does not have to lessen their friendship now.… (more)