SGI President Ikeda’s Acceptance Speech
The Triumph of Education Is the Triumph of Humanity
On the conferral of an honorary doctorate from Denmark’s University College South,
at the graduation ceremony for Soka University and Soka Women’s College, held at
the Soka University Auditorium in Hachioji, Tokyo, on March 21, 2009. This award
marked the SGI leader and Soka schools founder’s 250th academic honor. Traveling
to Japan especially to bestow the honorary degree was a delegation from the Danish
university, including Rector Søren Vang Rasmussen; Prof. Alexander von Oettingen,
head of the Department of Development and Applied Research; and Assistant Prof.
Iben Valentin Jensen. Also present on behalf of Danish Ambassador to Japan
Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin was Counselor Bent Lindblad of the Danish Embassy in
Tokyo.
Congratulations to everyone who is graduating today! I hope you will all be good sons
and daughters to your parents. Please never give them cause for worry. One of
education’s fundamental purposes is to foster young people who can cherish their
parents and elders.
Is Tomonori Hasegawa, one of today’s three recipients of the Founder’s Award,
here? [The young man, who is seated in the front row, stands up.] Congratulations on
winning the award!
Mr. Hasegawa is a top student in Soka University’s Faculty of Engineering. He is
extremely good at English and has a wide general knowledge. Both his teachers and
fellow students are confident that he’ll go far as a researcher and make an important
contribution to the world. [Addressing Mr. Hasegawa] Please do your best! [The
young man responds in the affirmative and voices his appreciation.]
I have been receiving reports on the activities and achievements of the members
of this year’s graduating class on an almost daily basis. I hear both good news and sad
news. I have also received numerous letters from the students directly. Some have
made pointed comments about the attitude of their professors. Students are very
perceptive. I call on the entire faculty to live up to the high ideals of the Soka schools.
As founder, I am always thinking about Soka University and Soka Women’s
College and endeavoring to take every necessary step to make them the best places of
learning possible. Without serious commitment and dedication, something truly great
cannot be built and international growth or stature cannot be achieved. This applies in
all spheres.
Overcoming Sorrow
Mr. Hasegawa was raised in a single-parent household. During his teens, he studied
very hard, while caring for his sick mother. Sadly, she passed away two years ago.
Overcoming his sorrow, Mr. Hasegawa fought on, resolved to do his best and win,
cherishing his parents in his heart. Today, he is celebrating his day of triumph.
[Addressing Mr. Hasegawa] I am sure your mother would be delighted.
Congratulations!
I’ve also heard that Mr. Hasegawa is going on to pursue postgraduate studies,
determined to become a great scholar who will do his alma mater and its founder
proud, and to create an enduring record of achievement. I am so happy to hear this.
Thank you!
Treasuring One’s Parents
I’d like to remind you once again of the importance of treasuring your parents and not
causing them worry. After all that your parents have done to raise you and make it
possible for you to attend and graduate from this university, I hope you will appreciate
them and treat them well. Not doing so would be less than human. Children must never
treat their parents in an arrogant, domineering way or make them feel anxious. Of
course, parents and children are of different generations and have grown up in
different worlds, so there are bound to be times when they don’t see eye to eye, but the
wise approach is to deal with such differences in an reasonable, considerate manner
and build a good parent-child relationship, a good family, and a good life. Education
provides the wisdom to do that. Education must be based on wisdom.
Live your life in a way that makes your parents proud. You’ll regret it if you
don’t. Perhaps you may say to your parents in anger or annoyance that you didn’t ask
to be born, but having been brought into this world is a wonderful thing for which you
should be profoundly grateful.
No matter what they’re like, your parents are your parents. I hope the parents
here will forgive me for saying so, but as parents you have to expect a certain amount
of ribbing from your children, while realizing that at heart they love and care for you.
At any rate, I cannot stress enough to our graduates how important it is to have
gratitude and appreciation for one’s parents. This is the very foundation of human life
and education, as well as a crucial foundation for genuine success in the real world. If
you can understand this one point alone, then there’s almost no need for me to say
anything more today.
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The Quality of a School Hinges on Good Teachers
The great Danish educator N. F. S. Grundtvig (1783–1872) said: ―The youth are the
only living hope a people can have.‖1 Soka students and alumni in Japan and around
the world are celebrating your graduation, seeing it as a great source of hope for the
future and for the ongoing victory of Soka education. You’ve all worked very hard.
I’m so glad you’ve succeeded in graduating.
I’d also like to thank the faculty. The quality of a school hinges on whether it has
good or indifferent teachers—on whether the teachers are genuinely concerned for the
welfare of their students or not. True educators love and treasure their students; they
do everything they can to help their students excel and go on to lead happy and
fulfilling lives. I have the highest praise and appreciation for all the teachers involved
in Soka education.
Allow me also to express my appreciation to the international students who are
graduating from Soka University today, as well as to the visiting students from Soka
University of America (SUA) who will be graduating in May. Thank you and
congratulations!
Grundtvig, a pioneer of education for the people, composed a poem in tribute of
mothers, a line of which reads: ―A mother’s voice is a wellspring of joy and
encouragement.‖2 The debt of gratitude we owe to our parents is deeper than the sea.
To all of today’s graduating students: Please develop into truly admirable
people—people who can win amid life’s challenges and do their parents proud.
Education Brings Us Together
This year marks the 65th anniversary of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi’s death. The founder
of Soka education died in prison for his beliefs while opposing the demands of Japan’s
wartime militarist authorities. Not a single day has gone by that I haven’t thought
about Mr. Makiguchi and his successor and fellow educator Josei Toda, my mentor.
Each evening, I report to them in my heart what I have accomplished that day.
Throughout his life, Mr. Makiguchi emphasized the importance of education. He
also continued to study right to the very end. It is well known that he was reading Kant
in his prison cell just days before he died. That is the kind of spirit our great
1
Translated from Danish. N. F. S. Grundtvig, Taler på Marielyst Højskole, 1856–1871 (Speeches
at Marienlyst Folk High School, 1856–1871), edited by Steen Johansen (Copenhagen: Gyldendalske
Boghandel Nordisk Forlag, 1956), p. 40. (Speech dated February 2, 1857.)
2
Translated from Japanese. N. F. S. Grundtvig, ―Haha no Kotoba‖ (Words of Mother), in Sekai
Shijin Zenshu (Anthology of World Poetry) (Tokyo: Kawade Shobo, 1955), vol. 2,
p. 310.
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predecessor had.
Both Mr. Makiguchi and Mr. Toda firmly believed that war is a source of misery,
whereas education provides a means to happiness; war tramples on life, whereas
education ennobles and dignifies life; war divides humanity, whereas education brings
us together; and war robs youth of their future, whereas education opens boundless
hope-filled horizons for them. Based on this conviction, Mr. Makiguchi and Mr. Toda
aspired for the creation of enduring citadels of education and an educational network
that would unite young people around the globe. This, they were certain, would help to
bring an end to war. It was their solid conviction that the triumph of education would
mean lasting triumph for humankind. This is the spirit in which they left the vision for
the founding of Soka University.
A Golden Age of People’s Education
The unparalleled honor I have received today from University College South, an
institution that has made outstanding contributions as an educational bridge between
countries throughout Europe, would surely bring immense joy to Mr. Makiguchi and
Mr. Toda, both of whom had the greatest regard and admiration for Denmark. I
dedicate all of the 250 academic honors I have received to date to my two great
mentors and predecessors, whom I will forever hold in the highest esteem, confident
that there is no more magnificent way to repay my debt of gratitude to them.
I wish to humbly express my deepest appreciation to Rector Søren Vang
Rasmussen, as well as to all the representatives of University of College South here
today. I will never forget your generosity.
There is nothing worse than ingratitude. In all things, I have always striven to
show my appreciation and repay the kindness and support I have received from others.
And I have done the same to my parents.
I’d also like to thank the distinguished guests from various areas of Japanese
society, who have taken time out from their busy schedules to grace us with their
presence today. Thank you very much.
I am reminded of an inspiring page in Danish history. In 1864, Denmark was
drawn into a nine-month war with Prussia and faced great national peril. Grundtvig
was 81 years old at the time. After the conflict, his disciples rose up to actualize his
educational ideals, braving opposition from various forces in society. Through their
efforts, they later succeeded in establishing a golden age of education for the people,
realizing their mentor’s vision in communities throughout Denmark.
One of Grundtvig’s disciples, Ludvig Schrøder (1836–1908), was in his 20s at
the time. Writing of that troubled period, he said: ―Turmoil gives birth to creativity,
which means we are living in a time of creativity. . . . It is a time when we can
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accomplish great things.‖3 Schrøder, who founded Askov Folk High School, fought
with powerful determination for his beliefs.
Danish history is filled with this courageous and independent creative spirit, and
Rector Vang Rasmussen continues to proudly uphold and transmit the essence of that
noble spirit today.
History Proves Everything
According to a recent poll, the people of Denmark are ranked as the happiest in the
world. The country not only boasts a vibrant, competitive economy, but also a strong
social safety net and low income disparity among its citizens. Denmark is also ranked
as the most transparent country in the world—in other words, the nation with the least
corruption. The spirit of the Danish people, their respect for the dignity of life and
belief in contributing positively to society, offers a shining example to others.
Denmark is a model nation that has forged its way to prosperity and triumphed through
education.
The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (1813–55) wrote: ―For, in my view,
being victorious doesn’t mean that I triumph but that the idea triumphs through me,
even if it also means I am sacrificed.‖4 With that same resolve, as one engaged in a
transformational movement, I have faced various momentous challenges and won over
them all. Treasuring the ideals entrusted to me by my mentor, I have realized their
triumph on the world stage.
History proves everything. Mentors aspire to help their disciples excel and
achieve great things. I want you to know that your victory is my victory; it is also a
wonderful way to repay your parents for everything they have done for you.
Many graduates of Soka University and Soka Women’s College have gone on to
become outstanding educators themselves. More than 5,400 graduates have passed the
difficult teacher employment examinations,5 and some are already school principals.
There are also 190 graduates who are now university professors. Several are
world-class scholars in their fields. In addition, 172 graduates have passed the bar
3
Translated from Japanese. Masaharu Sasaki, Denmaku Kokumin Daigaku Seiritsushi no Kenkyu
(Research on the History of the Establishment of the Danish Folk High Schools) (Tokyo: Kazama
Shobo, 1998), p. 336.
4
Søren Kierkegaard, Papers and Journals: A Selection, translated by Alastair Hannay (London:
Penguin Books, 1996) , p. 206.
5
In Japan, college or university students who graduate from teacher training courses are awarded
teaching licenses for their specific level of specialty—e.g., elementary, junior high, or high school.
To gain actual employment, however, the graduates must pass either a prefectural-level teacher
employment examination to teach at public schools, or apply for teaching positions at private
schools, which each set their own specific requirements for employment.
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exam as lawyers, while 176 are certified public accountants and 132 are tax
accountants. Soka graduates are also active in business and government, and indeed in
every field of human endeavor. In their respective spheres, they are amply
demonstrating their strength in the face of adversity and their vigorous ability to create
value.
I hope that all of the graduating students here today will also become the kind of
people who leave a positive impression on others. Be people with hearts that shine like
jewels. Live so that you can declare with all your being: ―I have won!‖ Those things
should be your first priorities; being successful in your career and society is secondary.
Having a spirit of appreciation for one’s parents is the cornerstone of humanity.
Have good friends, good seniors and juniors, and never allow yourself to be deceived
by dishonest or unscrupulous people.
Toward a World without Nuclear Weapons
In spite of their busy schedule on this trip, Rector Vang Rasmussen and those traveling
with him have decided to visit Hiroshima [the site of the first atomic bomb blast]. This
reflects a noble and profound spirit.
In my annual peace proposal in January this year, I called for talks to be held at
the earliest possible date between the leaders of the United States and Russia toward
reducing nuclear armaments. I am happy to see that the youthful presidents of those
two nations, both still in their 40s, are slated to meet in early April.
In order to give further impetus to the growing groundswell for peace today, I
would like to recommend the establishment of a new international body—an
intergovernmental panel that would bring together scientists and other specialists from
nations around the globe and serve as a guiding force for the elimination of nuclear
weapons. A similar body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has
done a great deal to raise international awareness of global warming. Now is the time
to build a new network to accomplish the goal of creating a world without nuclear
weapons, and to bring together the voices of peace-loving people across a broad
spectrum, including the youth who will inherit the future.
Grundtvig called on people to vibrantly create a bright environment of hope and
optimism wherever they were, through the power of education and dialogue. I hope
that all of our admirable graduating students here today will grow into people who
shine with rich humanity like the warm spring sunshine wherever they are and become
tenacious victors who possess strong conviction. I am praying and looking forward to
that. Will you promise to become such people?
Please become victors! Those who attain happiness are victors. You mustn’t let
yourself be defeated.
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To repeat, be good to your parents. I hope you’ll occasionally say some loving
words to them like, ―I’m always thinking of your health, Mom. Don’t worry about
me.‖ When you’re kind and considerate, you’ll make your family life much more
pleasant. Of course, your parents will know if you really mean it, so don’t try to fool
them! [Laughter.]
In any event, I’ll continue to pray for the health, success, and victory of all of you
graduating today, for as long as I live.
Undefeated by Adversity
I would now like to close with a passage from a story by Hans Christian Andersen
(1805–75), the famous Danish author and storyteller of whom I am so fond: ―Per
aspera ad astra [Through adversity to the stars]. Adversity purifies.‖6 This is very true.
I’ve overcome great adversity in my own life. My youth was very hard.
During World War II, my four older brothers were all drafted and sent to China
and other places to fight. My eldest brother died in Burma (now Myanmar). He
returned home on furlough once after fighting in China, and then went back to fight
again. The other three were also dispatched by the army to various regions. My mother,
who was already small of stature, seemed to shrink smaller each time one of her sons
left her. But in those days, mothers whose sons were sent off to war were praised as
―military mothers.‖ My mother put on a brave face to give my brothers a cheerful
sendoff. Neighbors came and congratulated us on having another opportunity to serve
the war effort. But when she was alone, my mother wept.
Our fine home was confiscated by the government and torn down to make a
firebreak, and we had to build a new temporary shelter elsewhere. Right after it was
completed though, it was burned down in an incendiary bombing raid. On August 15,
1945, the war came to end. I was 17 years old. I was suffering from tuberculosis. With
the war over, Japan changed overnight. Everything that we had been taught to believe
in was turned upside down.
One saw many Japanese soldiers who had been stationed in Japan shouldering
large bundles and making their way back to their families or their native places. But
my brothers had been stationed overseas; it took a long time before they came home to
us. And when they finally did, they were in miserable condition.
I’ll never forget how bitterly I hated the war and the leaders who had caused it.
Everything was sacrificed to the war. That’s why I’m absolutely against war.
6
Hans Christian Andersen, Only a Fiddler: A Danish Romance (Boston: Houghton Mifflin
Company, n.d.), p. 123.
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I’ve heard that a statue of the Danish poet and playwright Adam Gottlob
Oehlenschläger (1779–1850) stands on the beautiful campus of University College
South. One of the poet’s works contains the lines: ―Courage never dies / Denmark will
live forever.‖7 Let’s also win in our lives, determined never to be defeated. Let’s do
our best!
I pray sincerely for the eternal development and prosperity of University College
South and the nation of Denmark. I bring my speech today to a close with the
affirmation that the courage of Soka is also invincible.
Thank you! Tusinde tak! (―A thousand thanks!‖ in Danish.)
Congratulations to all the graduates!
(Translated from the March 22, 2009, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai
daily newspaper)
7
Translated from Japanese. Adam Gottlob Oehlenschläger, ―Denmakujin no Sokoku no Uta‖
(Song of the Danish People), in Sekai Shijin Zenshu (Anthology of World Poetry), vol. 2, p. 308.
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