The Way to Lasting Peace: BSG Symposium on Dr Daisaku Ikeda’s 2006 Peace Proposal
New Delhi, August 9, 2006: With a view to stem conflict and foster a culture of peace, Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG), organised a symposium on Dr Daisaku Ikeda’s 2006 Peace Proposal: A New Era of the People: Forging a Global Network of Robust Individuals.
Held for the third consecutive year, this symposium at Sri Sathya Sai International Centre, New Delhi, is part of BSG’s ongoing effort to engage with peace activists and work towards creating a climate of mutual respect and understanding.
Welcoming the speakers, Naveena Reddi, Director General, Bharat Soka Gakkai, said that this day was the anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki, a grim reminder of the devastation faced by common people in the last century. Inspired by Dr. Daisaku Ikeda’s example, the Bharat Soka Gakkai has initiated several activities in the field of peace education and one-to-one dialogue. Among them, it has held such symposia since 2004 on the SGI President’s Peace Proposals to the United Nations. Quoting the great Buddhist sage of the 13th century, Nichiren, she said, “The various sufferings that all living beings undergo, all these are Nichiren’s own sufferings.”
In his keynote address, Dr. Abid Hussain, our former Ambassador to the USA, quoted Dickens in identifying the present as “the best of times and the worst of times”, where we have conquered
Space, landed on the moon and compressed the world into a tiny village through our super-fast communication systems. Advances have also been in almost every area of life. Mysteriously, however, this combines with the most murderous world seen by humankind. Our achievements come to naught when we see the brutality of Man, and it is in the name of religion that some of the brutal acts are being perpetrated from different sides. Man goes astray when he acts on unexamined beliefs. It is all-important not to give men just one identity, religious or whatever, but one that reinforces unity and collectivity. Each individual must have clear, independent thinking and dare to make a path through the forest because the rest of humanity will follow behind.
Shalini Dewan, Director, United Nations Information Centre, spoke of how the peace proposals of the global peace visionary, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, mirrors the basic concerns of the United Nations. She quoted Dr. Mahbub ul Haq, the late author of UNDP)’s Human Development Reports, as saying that the entire concept of security in the new era is about to undergo a dramatic change, from the security of territory and nations to the security of people and individuals. She emphasized that there can be no long-term security without development or vice versa.
Kemal Muftić, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, gave the audience a picture of the tragic plight of people in his war-torn land, and of the importance of opening a social dialogue since truth was the first victim of war. He spoke about the importance of creating a peace environment because it can strengthen public opinion and halt
decision-makers from taking dangerous, inhuman steps.
Gopinath Menon, Chairperson of Bharat Soka Gakkai, spoke about Dr. Ikeda’s unwavering confidence in the human spirit and how he has covered the globe, engaging in dialogue and planting the seeds of peace and humanism wherever he goes. Thousands have stood up to his call for inner transformation, which, according to him, is the only basis of bringing peace to the world.
Dr Daisaku Ikeda, is a Buddhist philosopher, writer and academic and President of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), an NGO working for world peace through the medium of culture and education.
Each year, Dr Ikeda formulates a Peace Proposal that responds to the prevailing scenario. Going beyond merely diagnosing the problem, it offers practical, workable solutions. The peace proposals are part of Dr Ikeda’s endeavour to work with the United Nations – which he refers to as “the congress of humanity” – in order to realise the goals of peace, culture and education.
In this year’s Peace Proposal Dr Ikeda spells out a message of hope. Dr Ikeda believes that the solution lies within us and that “A transformation in the inner life of a single individual can spur and encourage similar changes in others, and as this extends into society, it generates a powerful vortex for peace that can steadily shape the direction of events. The collective impact of "ordinary citizens," awakened and empowered, can propel humankind toward the twin goals of genuine disarmament and a flourishing culture of peace.”
Every year since 1983, Dr Ikeda has presented peace proposals on behalf of the Soka Gakkai. In these, he offers solutions to the questions of human security and world peace, based on Buddhist ideals and philosophy. The peace proposals are part of Dr Ikeda’s endeavour to work with the United Nations – which he refers to as “the congress of humanity” – in order to realise the goals of peace, culture and education.
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