Moral Lessons of the Twentieth Century: Gorbachev and Ikeda on Buddhism and Communism (Echoes and Reflections)

Mikhail Gorbachev and Daisaku Ikeda are contemporaries raised in different cultures: Gorbachev is a statesman influenced by Marx and communist politics while Ikeda is a Buddhist inspired by the thirteenth century Japanese sage, Nichiren. This book is a result of a series of conversations between these two men. Together they explore their experiences of life amidst the turmoil of the twentieth century and together they search for a common ethical basis for future development. They conclude that values are born of culture and that peace, progress and social justice can only be achieved through sincere communication and cultural exchange. Mikhail Gorbachev And Daisaku Ikeda Are Contemporaries Raised In Different Cultures: Gorbachev Is A Statesman Whose Origins Are The Marx-inspired World Of Communism, While Ikeda Is A Buddhist Inspired By The Thirteenth Century Japanese Sage, Nichiren. Moral Lessons Of The Twentieth Century Emerged From A Series Of Conversations Between These Two Men. Together They Explore Their Experiences Of Life Amidst The Turmoil Of The Twentieth Century And Together They Search For A Common Ethical Basis For Future Development. They Conclude That Values Are Born Of Culture And That Peace, Progress And Social Justice Can Only Be Achieved Through Sincere Communication And Cultural Exchange. As The New Century Begins, They Have Sought To Turn The Spotlight On The Challenges Which Face Humanity. The Book Is A Call For Dialogue In Pursuit Of Values That Bridge Culture And Time.--jacket. 1. Change, Will, Or Fate? -- 2. Perestroika And Freedom -- 3. Humanity, Faith, And Religion -- 4. Roots -- 5. A New Civilization -- Postscript : From A New Philosophy To A New Politics / Mikhail Gorbachev -- Postscript : The Crisis Of Human Dignity / Daisaku Ikeda. Mikhail Gorbachev And Daisaku Ikeda ; Translated By Richard L. Gage. Includes Index. "Mikhail Gorbachev and Daisaku Ikeda are contemporaries raised in different cultures: Gorbachev is a statesman whose origins are the Marx-inspired world of communism while Ikeda is Buddhist inspired by the thirteenth century Japanese sage, Nichiren. Moral Lessons of the Twentieth Century emerged from a series of conversations between these two men. Together they explore their experiences of life amidst the turmoil of the twentieth century and together they search for a common ethical basis for future development. They conclude that values are born of culture and that peace, progress and social justice can only be achieved through sincere communication and cultural exchange. As the new century begins, they have sought to turn the spotlight on the challenges which face humanity. The book is a call for dialogue in pursuit of values that bridge culture and time."--Bloomsbury Publishing You and I are specialists in different fieldsyou in politics, I in Buddhism.