Book Description

Customer Reviews (30)

Great advice for young people
This is a great collection of advice for teenagers, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist.It is relevant in today's world and comes from a place of real humanistic compassion for youth.I'd recommend it to anyone of any age, but especially if you know any teenagers going through tough times or trying to deal with the various issues that come up nowadays.I read a similar book with a Q&A style format by Daisaku Ikeda when I was a teenager and found it very encouraging.

Pretty useful
This is the kind of thing adults should read, let alone kids.I'm reading it because I can't stand most organized religions, especially the one I was raised with - Christianity.Too stringent and angry for me and not realistic in everyday life, IMO.This Buddhist philosophy book aimed at kids really tells it like it is.I could relate to much of the advice given to kids and their parents.I also feel that it reflects the wisdom I've gained through the school of hard knocks.For example, the chapter on friends is relevant.You can't change other people's bad behavior or even influence it, all you can do is be the best possible you, have personal integrity and compassion for those who treat you badly.Basically, if someone behaves badly, you don't have to wish them to go to hell, they're already there.Great stuff in this book.All adults in America should read this!

A Way of Youth for Everyone
This volume deals in a Q & A format with issues of concern to all young people.Although Daisaku Ikeda is a Buddhist leader, his answers deal with humanity and the wisdom inherent in it rather than with religion -- it is for everyone.As one reads through the book, a common message emerges vividly although never dealt with directly: you are most valuable and precious; find your own voice and use it without fear; find your own self and value it deeply.By the end of the book, the reader finds himself/herself viewing things in a very positive light.

Excellent!
This book is an excellent collection of Buddhist responses to the questions of today's young people. "The Way of Youth" includes topics like building confidence, respecting yourself and others, developing happiness from within, dealing with peer pressure and contributing to a peaceful world. The book is written for a general audience and I believe it appeals to both teens and parents regardless of their religious beliefs.I also highly recommend a book called "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Little Book of Eastern Wisdom" by a young Buddhist author named Taro Gold. Excellent!

Bitesized bits of wisdom, not just for kids
I bought this book as a way of offering my daughter guidance from a Buddhist perspective without having to "lecture" (as she would put it...no matter how hard I try not to "lecture"...)and ended up really appreciating it myself.We're surrounded every day with Christian-based motivational books, full of wonderful sentiments, but also pushing a lot of faith-based inspiration that just doesn't fit our lives.This book was, of course, a quick read, but that's perfect for my 12 year old.I was able to just leave it out for her to glance at, and from the few comments she's made, I think it was helpful. ... Read more

Book Description
Based on 20 years' worth of university lectures and proposals to the United Nations, this book addresses the issue of peace from the Buddhist perspective of compassion, interconnectedness of all life, and absolute respect for human life. Informed by the teachings of Nichiren, the 13th-century Japanese Buddhist teacher and reformer, this book about the subject of peace from various angles, including economics, the environment, disarmament, religion, and culture. Ikeda writes that "nothing is more precious than peace," and through self-mastery, dialogue, and belief in the sovereignty of the people, the world may come to know a peaceful existence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Humanism Altruism and Righteous Compassion is the Way to Go
SGI President Ikeda's clean-cut and relatively important perspective on Peace is greatly emphasized in this book. His humanistic ideals which he incorporates from Nichiren Buddhism greatly reflect both his hope AND action toward a peaceful world. I particularly admired his propositions to make and enhance a more positive environment among our racially, socially and spiritually diversed society---given all for the sake of eveyrone's happiness and the achievement of peace. President Ikeda truly understands the formula needed to lead everyone to their own content and happiness and how can human beings create a more beneficial environment for themselves. His ideas on humanism, altruism and peace are realistic and something that is truly relevant in our disturbed society. A very good scholarly work worth every penny. You'll not regret reading this one.

What we need today
Daisaku Ikeda outlines steps towards a peaceful planet.

Quoting philosophers, historians, heroes, he sets out a guide to making peace possible."If you want peace, prepare for peace."

In this time of war, war and more war, to know there are people actively working towards a peaceful planet and future is very encouraging.Ikeda explains how we each have to start with ourselves, our family, our community.Through dialogue, and a commitment to truly desire peace.

For those who believe we do not have to go to war to make a peaceful world.

A refreshing change from the usual esoteric Buddhist fare
This excellent and well informed book will be of great interest to anyone interested in the historic and philosophic dynamics of our changing world.Ikeda is a wonderful writer whose understanding of Buddhism, Christianity and other world religions helps us to see current world conditions more clearly.His ability to incorporate the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren into a discussion of world history and contemporary discourse will be welcomed by those who have felt confused by the esoteric approach of other Buddhist writings.As an avid reader and writer, Ikeda has cultivated great skill in presenting complex intellectual ideas in a way that makes them relevant to the everyday lives of individuals.Addressing such approaches to historyand culture as relativism, universalism, orientalism, concepts of time and war cultures he makes a convincing presentation of peace and global harmony as attainable goals. The structure of this book is clear and easy to reference, making it an excellent text for teachers and activists.For a reader who has found so much of contemporary Buddhist writings alienating and unrealistic this book is a refreshing and exciting addition to social dialogue on how to create a better world.Highly recommended.

Enthusiastically recommended reading for peace activists
For The Sake Of Peace: Seven Paths To Global Harmony, A Buddhist Perspective is the result of more than 25 years of UN Peace prize recipient, spiritual leader, educator, and philosopher Daisaku Ikeda's proposals to the United Nations and lectures at universities around the world. With his vision for achieving peace in the new century based upon the life- affirming teachings of Nichiren (13th century Japanese Buddhist teacher and reformer) as well as great world thinkers and philosophers ranging from Confucius, Plato, and Aristotle, to Tolstoy, Gandhi, and Toynbee, Ikeda reveals the issue of peace from the Buddhist perspective of compassion, the interconnectedness of all life, and an absolute respect for human life. For The Sake Of Peace offers "seven paths" ranging from self-mastery and dialogue to global awareness and disarmament that if taken will show humanity the way to live happily together on our finite planet. For The Sake Of Peace is enthusiastically recommended reading for peace activists, students of Buddhist philosophy, and those who have followed and appreciated Daisaku Ikeda's work and thought for the past three decades. ... Read more