The Human Revolution

The Human Revolution (Japanese: "Ningen kakumei") is a roman à clef written by Daisaku Ikeda chronicling the efforts of Josei Toda, the second president of the Soka Gakkai to construct this Buddhist organization upon his release from prison at the end of World War II. The Human Revolution has sold millions of copies[1][2] and served as the source of two movies of the same name produced by Toho Company and directed by Toshio Masuda.[3] The novel was printed in 12 volumes.

Ikeda began writing The Human Revolution on Dec. 5th, 1964. Often quoted from Ikeda's preface to the book: "A great human revolution in just a singloe individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and further, will enable a change in the destiny of all humankind."

The book has been translated into English, French, Portuguese, German, Spanish, Chinese (traditional version), Korean, Italian and Dutch. The Weatherhill edition of the book has a foreword by Arnold Toynbee.[4]

Ikeda followed The Human Revolution with another series of books titled The New Human Revolution. These volumes began with Ikeda's trip to organize the Soka Gakkai in the United States and Brazil in 1960, several months after he succeeded Toda as president. The New Human Revolution is an ongoing series and consists of 24 volumes (so far) printed in English and two more serialized in Japan.

Selected Works

References

  1. Chilson, Clark (2014). "Cultivating Charisma: Ikeda Daisaku’s Self Presentations and Transformational Leadership". Journal of Global Buddhism 15: 68.
  2. McLaughlin. PhD dissertation, Princeton University., Levi (2009). Sōka Gakkai in Japan. Princeton University: Dissertation. p. 150.
  3. "The Human Revolution (1974)". Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  4. "The Human Revolution". www.DaisakuIkeda.org. "Daisaku Ikeda Website Committee," copywrited by Soka Gakkai.