Transcending Cultural Boundaries: Sensei Daisaku Ikeda’s Influence to Philippine Higher Education
Institutions[1]
Zosimo
M. Battad, Ph.D.[2]
Abstract:
“For
what purpose should one cultivate wisdom? May you always ask yourself this
question”. This memorable approach to education as
inscribed in the statue on the Soka University (SU)
and formulated by no less than its esteemed founder Dr. Daisaku
Ikeda, has far deeper meaning now than it was conceived 42 years ago. This can
be attributed to the many ambassadors of SU, and many other alumni of various
educational institutions he founded in Japan and other parts of the world who
now champion the cause of good and beauty. He said, and I quote, “education is
in no way limited to classrooms but is a mission that must be carried out and
realized by human society as a whole”. I am sure that the more than 12M members
of the SGI situated in over 190 countries and 88 territories worldwide and the
many graduates of the Soka Gakuen
have been effectively transforming their respective communities towards a
culture of peace and harmony.