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The Ikeda Center is an institute for peace, learning, and dialogue located in Cambridge, Mass. Since 1993, we have been engaging diverse scholars, activists, and social innovators in the search for the ideas and solutions that will assist in the peaceful evolution of humanity. >> Read More

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“Be the heart of a network of global citizens

Be a bridge for dialogue between civilizations

Be a beacon lighting the way to a century of life ”

- Daisaku Ikeda

WHAT'S NEW?

2012 Theme
During 2012 we will focus on the central Buddhist concept of "interdependence," also known as "dependent origination." You can read a brief introduction to the topic at our Core Convictions page.

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"The Age of Soft Power"
In late September, Professors Winston Langley and Nur Yalman were joined by Boston-area university students to discuss themes from Daisaku Ikeda's 1991 Harvard Address, "The Age of Soft Power."
>> Read about the seminar

Core Convictions
October 2011: We recently created a list of the seven ideas and convictions that guide our work here at the Ikeda Center.
>> Go to our core convictions page

New videos
August 2011: In this series of five video clips Judith Thompson explores the topic "Social Healing and the Greater Self."
>> View the videos

"Engaging with Matters of Consequence"
On June 3rd, several local and regional education scholar-leaders gathered at the Center for a seminar exploring how wisdom, courage, and compassion can be practiced and promoted in today's test-oriented schools.
>> Read about the seminar

Call for Proposals
March 2011: The Ikeda Center's Education Fellows Program aims to advance research and scholarship on Soka Education, an emerging field of study in humanistic education. Interested doctoral candidates are encouraged to apply.
>> Learn about the program here

2011 Focus
Please join us this year as we explore the topic, "Cultivating the Greater Self."
>> Read our introduction
>> Read articles and essays

2010 Archives
Learn about the Center's inquiry for 2010, "The Democratic Spirit." Articles and essays exploring the theme are archived here.

2009 Archives
During 2009, the Ikeda Center investigated the theme "Humanizing Our Lives, Humanizing Our World." All of the articles and essays created for the focus are located here.

2008 Archives

Articles and essays from the 2008 focus, "Understanding Death, Appreciating Life," are archived here.

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2011 IKEDA FORUM

Coverage of the October 22, 2011, Ikeda Forum for Intercultural Dialogue, called "Cultivating the Greater Self," is now posted to our Current Focus section. Our heartfelt thanks to all who attended.
>> Read about the 8th Annual Ikeda Forum here!
>> View a photo gallery of the event!

2011 ARTICLES & ESSAYS

Cultivating the Greater Self
The core reading for our 2011 focus on the greater self is an essay by Daisaku Ikeda written to commemorate the publishing of our 2009 title, Creating Waldens.
>> Read Ikeda's "The Flowering of the Greater Self"

We have also collected excerpts from Daisaku Ikeda's university addresses that explore various dimensions of the greater self.

Other original resources include: this video series featuring Judith Thompson discussing the topic, "Social Healing and the Greater Self"; this essay by biologist Janet Hart called "Public Health: The Foundation of Global Flourishing"; and this essay by the Center's Mitch Bogen called "Education and the Greater Self."

Primary source materials include this collection of excerpts from Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman; a video clip of Victor Frankl talking about faith in human potential for good; and two video clips featuring Vincent Harding discussing the topic "Love and the Struggle for Social Transformation."

Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue
396 Harvard Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
Phone: (617) 491.1090 Fax: (617) 491.1169