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.
#970497 in Books 2015-01-28 2015-01-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.54 x 2.18 x 6.22l; 2.55 #File Name: 1848857500564 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. "heart") was really an amazing time. Europe colonization was spreading far wideBy Houman Z. EmamiB E A U T I F U L book on Islam and the many influences of Islamic Mysticism (Sufism) in how we view the world. We've been going over it in our Avicenna (Ibn Sina) seminar - "The Prince of Medicine" initiator of canonical western medicine; however; with a deeply eastern ancient metaphysics at its roots... Often makes me wonder why we've lost so much in modern medicine!? Whilst Europe was declining in its medieval dark ages; the active spiritual / intellectual milleau of eastern and oriental thought (rather; "heart") was really an amazing time. Europe colonization was spreading far wide; the beginnings of materialism and religious (spiritual) divisions of war mongering egos; yet eastern cultures were integrating deepening their appreciation of spiritual phenomena into daily life; philosophy; and medicine... The western fronts led into an ever widening Cartesian dualism (mind/body; church/state); with wisdom philosophy held for the aristocracy; when the eastern cultures were humbled by lessons learned from their past; having abused their own powers; and now having learned; they respected and learned from the most illiterate who were their saints - as early as 600BC (Cyrus the Great); with a constitution that outlawed slavery and brought equality. One wonders what will it take to humble the western fronts of thought (heart); and their arrogance of conquering and saving the world!? Then again; within the eastern milieu there is always unrest of tribal feuds!!! Perhaps as Avicenna taught; we need to learn of the rising Sun (east); its continuum and completion; to its setting (west); which is also the rising within the heart; and its setting in the mind; whilst remaining settled in the heart. The "heart" of unrest; in unrest! And a deceived mind! Neither works. Then there is the truth in each; and a continuum of lessons within. Cheers!
