Soka Education: A Buddhist Vision for Teachers, Students & Parents
Soka education is based on the Buddhist-influenced ideas of  Japanese educational reformer Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871-1944),  a contemporary of John Dewey, whose philosophy was similar in  many aspects. Both believed in child-centered schooling, but  Makiguchi was persecuted for his value-creating pedagogy during  World War II, when Japan was intolerant of independent thinking.  The Soka movement was resurrected after the war by Josai Toda,  the author's mentor, and has since established schools and  cultural centers worldwide. President of the Tokyo-based Soka  Gakkai International (SGI), one of the most important Buddhist  schools in the world, Ikeda has compiled a selection of papers  and speeches he has delivered on such topics as the  interrelatedness of the learning environment and the importance  of creative teaching. And since the book is published by a  subsidiary of SGI, it is not surprising that the didactic  aspirations are flatteringly idealistic. Nonetheless, because of  the popularity of Buddhism in the United States and Soka's  growing number of followers, this is a worthwhile addition to  academic and public libraries. Will Hepfer, SUNY at Buffalo Libs.Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.