Encountering the Dharma
Book Description
When grief strikes and familiar certainties crumble, the search for meaning can lead us down unexpected paths. Richard Hughes Seager, an American religion professor grappling with his wife's death, embarks on a profound journey to Japan to explore one of Buddhism's most dynamic and debated movements.
Soka Gakkai Buddhism presents a fascinating paradox in the modern spiritual landscape. This influential Japanese religious movement has sparked both devotion and controversy while spreading across more than 100 countries, creating remarkably diverse communities from Brazil to Germany to the United States. What drives this global expansion, and what authentic wisdom might it offer to seekers navigating contemporary challenges.
Through intimate observations, thoughtful reflections, and revealing interviews, Seager weaves together a deeply personal narrative of discovery. His rare conversations with Soka Gakkai president Daisaku Ikeda provide unique insights into the movement's vision and methods. The author examines complex questions surrounding the organization's role in rebuilding postwar Japan, its tensions with traditional Buddhist priesthood, and its ambitious international mission.
A pivotal moment emerges as Seager witnesses how Ikeda and the Soka Gakkai respond to the September 11 attacks, revealing what the author recognizes as genuinely Buddhist wisdom applied to global tragedy. This compelling exploration offers readers both an insider's perspective on a significant religious movement and one man's honest quest for understanding amid loss.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
🕉️ Tradition: Buddhism
📄 Length: 245 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Soka Gakkai
- ✓ Explore Internationalisatie
- ✓ Explore Sōka Gakkai Buddhists
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Globalization
- ✓ Explore Sōka-Gakkai
- ✓ Explore Soka-Gakkai
- ✓ Explore Sok̄a Gakkai
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
