Cultivating the Greater Self
8th Annual Ikeda Forum for Intercultural Dialogue

Our thanks to all who attended the recent Ikeda Forum for Intercultural Dialogue.

Read an article on the event here

View a photo gallery here

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Saturday, October 22, 2011
10:00 am – 4:00 pm

View speaker bios here

Center founder Daisaku Ikeda has described "the greater self," a concept central to Mahayana Buddhism, as “another way of expressing the openness and expansiveness of character that embraces the sufferings of all people as one’s own. This self always seeks ways of alleviating the pain and augmenting the happiness of others, here, amid the realities of everyday life.” Centered in the greater self, we invariably recognize the interconnectedness of life and therefore strive for the well being of all humanity and the planet that sustains us.

Building on the concept's Buddhist origins, this year’s Ikeda Forum will consider the greater self from a variety of cultural and philosophical perspectives, with emphasis on ways that education and dialogue can cultivate this enlightened state. Throughout the day, we will ask: How might widespread awakening to the greater self help us realize a more harmonious and ultimately peaceful world? Please join us on October 22nd as we investigate the potential of the greater self to call forth a world of creative coexistence.

Yes, I want to attend!

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Speakers

View speaker bios here

Virginia Benson, Senior Research Fellow, Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue.

Ann Diller, Professor of Education, Department of Education, University of New Hampshire.

Bernice Lerner, Director of Adult Learning, Hebrew College, and Senior Scholar,
Center for Character and Social Responsibility at the Boston University School of Education.

Lou Marinoff, Professor and Chair of Philosophy, The City College of New York, and
Founding President, the American Philosophical Practitioners Association.

Background

The annual Ikeda Forum for Intercultural Dialogue explores connections between life affirming philosophies deriving from literary, cultural, and educational traditions in the East and West. It is named after Center founder, Daisaku Ikeda, in honor of his untiring commitment to dialogue as the surest path to peace. Since the 1970s Mr. Ikeda has traveled widely and held dialogues with leading thinkers, policymakers, and scholars in more than 50 countries around the world. Many of these dialogues have been published in book form, including conversations with Arnold Toynbee, Elise Boulding, Rene Huyghe, Joseph Rotblat, and Mikhail Gorbachev. Inspired by his example, the Center is committed to hosting this annual series inviting like-minded scholars and attendees to engage in openhearted dialogue, exploring a range of perspectives in humanistic thought.

The Ikeda Center
396 Harvard Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
Phone: (617) 491.1090 Fax: (617) 491.1169