Treasures of the Heart

This gem of a little book is a collection of essays by Daisaku Ikeda, spiritual leader to over 12 million Soka Gakkai members throughout the world. The essays consider the weighty and numerous problems of our global society - and are collectively titled "Treasures of the Heart."Commensurate with humanity's brilliant intellectual ability are a multitude of problematic issues which have resulted from the misuse of our naturally-endowed gifts. Humanity's lack of purpose, wisdom and appreciation for life itself are the fundamental flaws which push us down the path of self-destructiveness.In this book, Mr. Ikeda discusses these issues from the viewpoint of daily life and the wisdom of Buddhism. His views, based on Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, are well respected by people of every faith.This book is of great interest in particular to female readers, as the essays in it were originally written for a Japanese woman's magazine. Therefore, readers familiar with Japanese society will probably find the essays of even more value than others. In any case, as another reviewer stated, the wisdom expressed in this book is certainly not limited to any one race or gender. Although the majority of essays in "Treasures of the Heart" refer to Buddhist parables, their relevance to contemporary problems is universal. I believe anyone can relate to the wide range of topics it covers, and gain much from the Buddhist wisdom expressed.

Tina Turner is the reason I found this book, and all others by Daisaku Ikeda, president of the Soka Gakkai International. After hearing Tina Turner speak about her Buddhist practice in interviews, and hearing her give credit to Buddhism for her happiness and in life, I decided to look further into it myself. Tina Turner's life story has inspired me for many years. Tina mentioned Daisaku Ikeda as the person who brought Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, the practice of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, to America. This is the Buddhist practice to which Tina attributes her spiritual fulfillment and strength. Thanks to Tina's explanations, I was able to locate the Soka Gakkai International and from there I discovered many profound, inspirational and educational writings by Daisaku Ikeda. This book is just one of Mr. Ikeda's many contributions to further the understanding of Buddhist principles and their application in every day life.I highly recommend that anyone interested in the Buddhist practice of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo read the writings of Daisaku Ikeda to learn more about Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.

The world is inundated with problems and crises whose solutions seem to have all but escaped our modern knowledge. In this jewel of a little book, a collection of essays, Mr. Ikeda considers the weighty and numerous problems of our global society - and titles it "Treasures of the Heart."Commensurate with humanity's brilliant ingenuity and ability to perceive our own existence are problems which have resulted from the mishandling of these naturally-endowed gifts. Lack of wisdom, lack of direction and little sense of appreciation for life itself are the fundamental flaws which lead humanity down the path of destructiveness.In this book, Mr. Ikeda covers these issues but from the viewpoint of daily life. His unique views, based on the life philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, are worthy of high regard by people of all faiths. This book is of great interest in particular to female readers, as the essays in it are mostly addressed to a female audience. However, the essays cover a wide variety of issues which concern both men and women. Those readers familiar with Japanese society will probably find this book of even more interest than the rest of us. In any case, the wisdom expressed in this book is certainly not limited to one gender or race. Anyone can relate to the wide range of topics it covers, and gain much from the Buddhistic wisdom expressed in its pages.

This book is a superb translation of a magazine series originally written for Japanese housewives. Despite the narrow intended readership, the book is reprinted decade after decade and cherished by ordinary people of every description.Each article stands alone as a gem of unpretentious wisdom. The best ones seem to worm their way into my psyche, subtly shifting my perspective on everyday events.It's difficult to believe that the author of these domestic reflections is a shaper of world events, yet in fact his influence on the political, moral and spiritual landscape of the late 20th century has been incalculable. Perhaps it is Ikeda's ability to find common ground among such divergent spheres that makes him a favorite target of religious fundamentalists.