Indigo Talks

Named after the Buddhist expression “from the indigo, an even deeper blue,” Indigo Talks is a lecture series launched July 2021 featuring renowned intellectuals in dialogue with enduring works by Center founder Daisaku Ikeda. Just as items repeatedly dyed with indigo turn bluer than the indigo itself, the Chinese allegory of the indigo plant exemplifies the impact learning has on deepening one’s wisdom, courage, and compassion.

To date there have been two Indigo Talks, both given online, with hundreds of people worldwide tuning in. The inaugural talk was by Francyne Huckaby, of Texas Christian University. In her lecture, called “Two Bundles of Reeds: (In)evitable Pain, (Im)possible Promise,” Dr. Huckaby elucidated how, in a post-George Floyd world, suffering and injustice in society can serve as the source and impetus for healing and growth. Read an article on her talk here.

The second lecture was given by Johnny Lupinacci of Washington State University in 2022. In a talk called “Envisioning A Better World Together Through Value Creation, Interdependence, and Creative Coexistence,” Dr. Lupinacci urged attendees to create truly diverse communities that challenge the domination model that characterizes global society. Read an article on his talk here.