Book Description
This engaging, deeply personal book, illuminating the search for meaning in today's world, offers a rare insider's look at Soka Gakkai Buddhism, one of Japan's most influential and controversial religious movements, and one that is experiencing explosive growth around the world. Unique for its multiethnic make-up, Gakkai Buddhists can be found in more than 100 countries from Japan to Brazil to the United States and Germany. In Encountering the Dharma, Richard Seager, an American professor of religion trying to come to terms with the death of his wife, travels to Japan in search of the spirit of the Soka Gakkai. This book tells of his journey toward understanding in a compelling narrative woven out of his observations, reflections, and interviews, including several rare one-on-one meetings with Soka Gakkai president Daisaku Ikeda. Along the way, Seager also explores broad-ranging controversies arising from the Soka Gakkai's efforts to rebuild post-war Japan, its struggles with an ancient priesthood, and its motives for propagating Buddhism around the world. One turning point in his understanding comes as Ikeda and the Soka Gakkai strike an authentically Buddhist response to the events of September 11, 2001. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

An Engaging Narrative of the Advancement of Buddhism in Modern Times
From outside the SGI, Seager supplies historical context and validates Daisaku Ikeda's status as the leading interpreter of Buddhism in modern times. As Seager points out, Ikeda has made the practice of Nichiren Buddhism into a dominant force for advancing humanism in the world and made the religion accessible as a means to happiness and self-realization. I recommend it to anyone who wants additional information on the evolution of the Buddhist lay organization, Soka Gakkai International

What a Great Book
As a member of the SGI, i learned a lot about our organization, from reading this book. This is a really good book to buy you wont regret it. I found it hard to put this book down, one of the best books i have ever read.

excellent time-flow read
A very human look at the life and times of Presiden Ikeda and the SGI. I'm an SGI'er but I'm also an American who works and lives in Asia and as such was always ready to try and see the dark side of everything. Is Ikeda evil? Is SGI a cult? Google "Ikeda cult" and he's blamed for everything except kidnapping the Linberg baby. The proof is in the practice. If you chant nam myoho renge kyo you will see a change in your life condition just as sure as if you start to go to a gym and start lifting weights. You will get stronger with each practice. That's the point and I think the book covers that very well. I like the book's "prove-to-me-you're-the-real-deal" approach. I have to honestly say I see President Ikeda in a very positive light as a direct result of this read. Why is President Ikeda slammed so much in Japan? There's a saying over here that is so very not the American way of looking at things in general that goes "the highest nail always get pounded down first." Indeed.

Terrific insider-outsider review
I read this book a couple of months ago. Its narrative format is extremely poignant. Apart from describing the workings of Buddhism in our modern day society I loved the parallel narrative of the authors transformation, throughencountering this amazing life philosophy. I admired the tenacity with which the author handled the insider-outsider critique and framing of his thoughts. Thanks Mr. Seager for sharing your life and its transformation. As Daisaku Ikeda states "A great inner revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of an entire society and, further, will cause a change in the destiny of humankind."
Such an apt book at the right time!

A Beautiful Book
I loved reading Richard Hughes Seager's book, he has a beautiful writing style, he gives lots of insight into himself as well as the subject matter, in this case Daisaku Ikeda and The Soka Gakkai. I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone. As a Soka Gakkai member I found Seager's work factual, thought provoking and he gave me a glimpse of Soka Gakkai that I haven't yet been able to explore myself, reading his book was like being in Japan with him. In my view this book would satisfy an academic as well as anyone interested in Buddhism and the truth. Read and enjoy! ... Read more

Book Description
Fifty years ago Soka Gakkai was an organization of a few hundred people, all of them in Japan.Today it is one of the world's most rapidly expanding religious movements with members in virtually every country in Europe, the Americas, and Australasia, in most of Asia, and in several parts of Africa. It is also increasingly well publicized, sponsoring and promoting a variety of cultural and educational causes and establishing a high profile for itself in world affairs. All of this has created a movement which is a significant social phenomenon; yet to date Soka Gakkai has received little attention from Western academics.Bryan Wilson and Karel Dobbelaere draw on their thorough survey of the UK membership to trace the source of the movement's attraction and analyse its potential. They also carried out some thirty interviews with members, whom they encouraged to tell their story in their own way. As the decline in belief in an anthropomorphic deity, the sense that traditional religious institutions have become hollow, and the emphasis on the private nature of belief and on personal autonomy become characteristic features of contemporary western values, Wilson and Dobbelaere suggest that Soka Gakkai has found a ready resonance with these changing currents of thought in contemporary society.They conclude that Soka Gakkai's appeal to young people in particular makes it a faith whose time may have come. Reviews of the Hardback: `Although the authors have clearly aimed this work primarily at an academic readership, there is a great deal more material in it that Buddhists of any persuasion are likely to find stimulating as well as providing food for thought ... The book is well-researched, gives a clear and unbiased view of the movement under scrutiny, and, not least, is very readable.' Golden Drum`Valuable and lively for what it is: a useful look at Western Buddhists ... and a convincing take on alternative religion from a perspective pessimistic about mainline religion in contemporary society.' The Journal of Religion ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Interesting Analysis and Information about Buddhism in UK
As the family member of an SGI-UK member, I found this book very interesting.I would recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the Soka Gakkai International movement in UK (or the SGI in general) andabout Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.

Bland
This book gives the reader a surface view of SGI in the UK but the leaves out any in-depth analysis. For this reason I found this book quite disappointing. It seems the authors did not want to take sides and justproduced something that is quite flat and bland. Some comparisons of SGI UKand other movements such as Scientology were useful but too short.Moreover, for people not familiar with the terminology of the SGI UKmovement this book may be hard to follow. ... Read more

Book Description
This is the first-ever in-depth study of the Soka Gakkai Buddhists in the United States of America (SGI-USA). Drawing on unprecedented access to the organization through surveys and interviews, it provides a definitive and revealing picture of one of the fastest-growing religions in the world. The authors shed light on contemporary American society and show how many members of SGI-USA are drawn from a growing `transmodern' subculture in America.In addition the book traces the development of the organization in the USA, examining how it adapted to the peculiar circumstances of America's cultural life and showing how SGI-USA became a very American phenomenon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Oustanding Research into a New American Religious Movement
Since the 1960s, most of the Asian religions practiced in the United States have enjoyed a brief period of popularity followed by decline. The Soka Gakkai International's constituent organization in the U.S., SGI-USAis an exception. Having gained widespread acceptance in American society,the Buddhist organization has achieved a stable presence by contributing tosociety through various activities related to peace, culture and education.

What makes SGI-USA different? How did the Japanese Soka Gakkai take rootand achieve such success in the United States? In "Soka Gakkai inAmerica: Accommodation and Conversion," Phillip Hammond, professor ofreligious studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and DavidMachacek, who also teaches at the university, offer answers to these andother questions.

Drawing on "A Time to Chant" by Bryan Wilsonand Karel Dobbelaere, published in 1994, a study of Soka Gakkai members inGreat Britain, Hammond and Machacek base their findings primarily onsurveys, interviews and informal conversations with members.

The authorsconclude that SGI-USA has thrived because it respects American culture,because it emphasizes personal growth and responsibility and involvement insociety at large, and because it recognizes the compatibility of scientificrationalism and religious value. The authors predict that SGI-USA willendure as a significant force in the American religious landscape and thatits members will serve as pioneers in this era of dramatic change as weapproach the new millennium. ... Read more

Book Description
Global Citizens is a study of the Soka Gakkai Buddhist movement, which was founded in 1930 in Japan, spread rapidly after the Second World War, and has since developed a world-wide following. The book provides an historical overview of the development of the movement as an educational reform society, its development into a sect of Nichiren Buddhism. It provides important details of Soka Gakkai's entry into Japanese politics, including up-to-date information on the relationship between the Komeito - the political party founded by the Soka Gakkai - and the Liberal Democratic PartyDSits historical opponent in Japanese politics and present partner in the ruling coalition. The book then documents the spread of Soka Gakkai Buddhism to North and South America, Europe, and other Asian countries. ... Read more

Book Description
In 1930 two men, Josei Toda and his mentor, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, created the Educational Society for the Creation of Value (Soka Kyoiku Gakkai), with roots in Nichiren Buddhism. After World War II, It became Japan̢۪s fastest growing religion. Currently, membership is over ten million people worldwide. They recently opened their second university campus in California, and are active in the United Nations, among other peace organizations. ... Read more

Book Description
Since the 1960's several Japanese New Religions have made concerted efforts to expand their operations overseas. They have focused their work in East and Southeast Asia, but there have been successful ventures into North and South America, Europe, and Australia. The most successful of these religions is the Tokyo-based Soka Gakkai, which has chapters in about 150 countries and nearly 2 million foreign members. In "The International Expansion of a Modern Buddhist Movement", Daniel A. Metraux examines the expansion of this religious movement, and what makes it so appealing to many young professionals in rapidly modernizing societies. ... Read more

Book Description
The Soka Gakkai Buddhist movement in Japan has revived Buddhism in the lives of millions of Japanese, changed the course of Japanese government, brought creative new ideas to the field of education, and has impacted the worlds of art and culture. This movement is now gaining popularity in Canada. Why are so many Canadians now joining this movement? What is the appeal beyond the Canadian-Asian Community and how has this Buddhist sect managed to assimilate itself in a Christian society? This book seeks to answer those questions and more. It chronicles the rise of this branch of Japanese Buddhism in Canada and it studies the relationship between the parent group in Tokyo and its Canadian branch. ... Read more

Book Description
The Soka Gakkai Revolution has revived Buddhism in the lives of millions of Japanese, changed the course of Japanese government, brought creative new ideas to the field of education, and impacted the worlds of culture and art. Metraux has written a comprehensive work on this integral actor in Japanese society and politics that analyzes the Soka Gakkai's rise to political power, its participation in the Hosokawa coalition cabinet, its highly publicized split from Nichiren Shoshu, and its plans to transform Japanese society. Also included is a secondary study of the Soka Gakkai movement in the United States. Contents: The Soka Gakkai Revolution: Blueprint for a New Society; The Soka Gakkai: History and Doctrines; The Soka Gakkai and Politics; The Dispute between the Soka Gakkai and the Nichiren Shoshu Priesthood; The Soka Gakkai's Revolutionary Approach to Education; The Soka Gakkai Abroad; Ikeda Daisaku: Religious Savior or Diabolical Dictator? The Significance of the Soka Gakkai. ... Read more

Book Description

The Encyclopedia of Buddhism provides a comprehensive overview of one of Asia's most important religious and social forces, describing the Buddhist worldview, basic teachings and practices, history, and the different schools and sects. This intriguing set illuminates a religion that is a mystery to most Westerners by exploring Buddhist scriptures, art, architecture, saints, demons, monastic orders, festivals, rites and ceremonies, as well as the different forms Buddhism has taken in different parts of the world, and how it has blended with other religions like Shinto, Confucianism, Daoism and Christianity.

Customer Reviews (9)

New version is better
The new version of this book, called "The Buddha in Daily Life" is much better than the older version.

I cherish this book
I have read this book, now titled "The Buddha in Daily Life - an Introduction to Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism," several times since I discovered it at Amazon of the United Kingdom.You can go there throughit's name at the bottom of the screen on the American Amazon site.Ihighly recommend this book if you are interested in Buddhism and interestedin Nam myoho renge kyo, or even if you have been chanting for many years. This book explains it all in the most amazingly profound yeteasy-to-understand way.

I was not a practicing Buddhist when I first readthis book.I was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism and the Soka Gakkai by afriend in Spain and he told me that I should read "The Buddha in DailyLife" to learn everything I wanted to know about this Buddhism.Hewas right.

Needless to say, I did, and have been practicing NichirenDaishonin's Buddhism with the Soka Gakkai of Mexico ever since.I can'tsay enough good things about this book.It changed my life.It helped mediscover true happiness.Muchisimas gracias Richard Causton!

"The Buddha in Daily Life - An Introduction to Buddhism"
Mr. Richard Causton, or "Dickie" to those of us who knew and loved him, was the honorable General Director of Soka Gakkai International-United Kingdom (SGI-UK) until his death in 1995 at the age of 75.A couple of years before his passing, Mr. Causton initiated therevision of this book with the assistance of his good friend andprofessional writer Eddy Canfor-Dumas.In what would become one of thefinal major accomplishments of his life's mission, in 1994 Mr. Caustonfinalized the revised text and renamed this book "The Buddha in DailyLife - An Introduction to the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin."

Tome, "The Buddha in Daily Life" is the greatest book ever writtenin the English language about the practice and study of NichirenDaishonin's Buddhism.I have bought at least ten copies over the past 5years and given them to everyone I know and love - whether they areinterested in practicing Buddhism themselves or simply curious about myBuddhist faith and its philosophy...

Part one of"The Buddha in Daily Life" explains the Buddhist view of life -the theory of the Ten Worlds, the meaning of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, and a fewinspiring experiences from people who have used this practice to changetheir lives for the better.

Part two covers Buddhism in daily life - thethree pillars of Faith, Practice and Study, the Gohonzon and the SokaGakkai International.

I highly recommend Richard Causton's "TheBuddha in Daily Life" to everyone interested in learning more aboutthe practice of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, as well as to everyone alreadypracticing.My own practice and understanding of Buddhism has been greatlyenriched by it - and for that, I am eternally grateful to the great Mr.Richard Causton.

Many insights
I loved this book.It helped me understand many practical applications of Buddhist ideas instead of the esoteric (and powerless) lessons contained in most books about Buddhism.

Before writing this review I read the previousones and I was suprised by the reviewer from Canada's reaction.Perhapsthey have an ax to grind?

Buy this book, read it, and make your ownjudgement.I found it very educational.

Book changed in later versions
The big problem with this book today is that it was significantly re-edited after Causton's death from the original version and after the lay organization, Soka Gakkai, was excommunicated from it's religion, Nichiren Shoshu. Causton, though a loyal SGI leader at the time, still wrote a good(yet controversial within the SGI at the time) book. Anyone interested inreading this book should try and seek out the early edition, not the later. ... Read more