Soka Schools and Soka Universities Hold Memorials for Founder Daisaku Ikeda
A memorial service was held at Soka Schools in Tokyo (above photo) as well as Soka Schools in Osaka
In November 2023, Soka Schools, Soka University in Japan, Soka International School Malaysia and Soka University of America all held memorials to commemorate the life of their founder, Daisaku Ikeda, who passed away at his residence in Tokyo on November 15, 2023, at the age of 95.
Soka International School Malaysia (SISM) held a memorial service on November 22. In a statement on the passing of Mr. Ikeda on SISM’s website, school CEO and Chair Michael Kok Fook On said that the teachers and staff, whom Mr. Ikeda had entrusted with the school, “are committed to upholding his legacy and advancing the development of Soka education and SISM for future generations.” In the same statement, school principal, Dr. Wendy Yee Mei Tien, quoting Mr. Ikeda, said his aspiration was for the school, which opened in August 2023, “to serve as a new cradle from which global citizens will set out to contribute to the peace and happiness of all people.”
On November 24, Soka Junior and Senior High
Schools in Tokyo and Osaka also held memorial services. During
the memorial at the Tokyo schools, a high school student representative
expressed the students’ determination to advance boldly toward the future. Similarly,
student representatives from the junior and senior high schools in Osaka pledged
to live with an indomitable spirit as Mr. Ikeda had. Students in
both locations honored Mr. Ikeda by singing their respective school songs.
On the same day, Soka University and Soka Women’s College in Tokyo commemorated
Mr. Ikeda’s legacy by placing condolence books in the lobby of the university’s
Global Square building. The books were available for a three-day period for
students, faculty and staff members to sign in remembrance of Mr. Ikeda.
On November 27, Soka University of America
(SUA) in California held a memorial service to honor the life and contributions
of Mr. Ikeda, who founded the university in 1987. It was the first Soka
education institution of higher learning outside Japan.
At the service, an SUA student chorus sang “The Light of Hope,” written by Mr. Ikeda in 2011 in collaboration with composer Wayne Green to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Aliso Viejo campus. Following Mr. Ikeda’s passing, a verse from the song carries added significance: “My young friends, I entrust my dreams to you. I am counting on you to spread the Light of Hope.”
In his closing remarks, SUA President Edward Feasel recalled an encounter he had with Mr. Ikeda as a youth and how deeply he felt Mr. Ikeda’s respect for young people, as well as how the university founder treasured every person he encountered. He also recounted a poignant moment he shared with Mr. Ikeda while walking with a small group of individuals during sunset. Mr. Ikeda remarked to the group, “Our lives should emulate this setting sun, illuminating the horizon as we depart.”
Soka education today places strong emphasis on fostering humane and life-affirming values, contributing to peace and encouraging students to lead contributive lives. According to Mr. Ikeda, “Education must inspire the faith that each of us has both the power and the responsibility to effect positive change on a global scale.”
[Adapted from an article in the November 25, 2023, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan; an article on Soka International School of Malaysia’s website; and an article on Soka University of America’s website]
