This book considers the history of the Soka Gakkai and particularly its expansion to countries outside Japan under the leadership of Daisaku Ikeda. The author, an American professor of the history of religion, writes in a frank, engaging style which combines scholarly analysis with personal reflection.
Global Citizens is a study of the Soka Gakkai, containing academic research on the historical development of the organization, its involvement in politics and relationship with the Japanese media and the spread of the Soka Gakkai to North and South America, Europe and other countries in Asia.
The book concerns itself with a particular geographic region and examines the Soka Gakkai in the context of other Japanese new religious movements "to determine why and how these uniquely Japanese religions have attracted such a culturally diverse following abroad."
A study of SGI-USA that examines how the organization adapted to the peculiar circumstances of America's cultural life and showing how it became a very American phenomenon.
A sociological study of SGI-UK activities by Bryan Wilson and Karel Dobbelaere, based on a demographic survey of the SGI-UK membership, augmented by individual interviews
Religious historian Richard Seager examins several Buddhist schools as they have taken root in America. SGI-USA is one of the groups examined in the book.
A collection of essays contributed by representatives of a wide range of Buddhist communities including the Dalai Lama, Robert Aitken and Thich Nhat Hanh. The essays report on grassroots Buddhist peace activities around the world. The book includes an essay by SGI President Ikeda on the SGI's peace movement and an outline of its doctrinal basis.
A collection of essays examining the efforts and approaches of a number of Buddhist leaders and Buddhist organizations with the broader issues of society. It includes an essay entitled "Racial Diversity in the Soka Gakkai" by Professor David W. Chappell, cofounder of the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies.
Dr. Howard Hunter is Emeritus Professor the Department of Religion and Culture at Tufts University, U.S.A. He has written widely on the social role of religious belief. The articles below were published in the SGI Quarterly.