The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life: Commentaries on the Writings of Nichiren

Daisaku Ikeda

Jul 2013 · Middleway Press

About this ebook

Where have we come from and where do we go? Why are human beings born? Are our lives just random events or do they have some greater purpose? What is the meaning of death? Nichiren Buddhism, based on the Lotus Sutra, is a teaching of hope that provides answers to these and other important questions for modern life. Ranked among the most important works in Mahayana Buddhism, Nichiren’s 13th-century writings were revolutionary. They sought to give people a deep sense of confidence and self-reliance in this lifetime by exploring the topics of death and eternal life. In his The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life, Nichiren explains the ultimate Buddhist view, which frees people from both their fear of death and their unhealthy attachment to self. Daisaku Ikeda’s simple and straightforward commentary brings alive this important writing for the modern world. Thoughtful people of all faiths will resonate with his compassionate insights on the universal teaching of happiness that is Nichiren Buddhism.

About the author

Daisaku Ikeda is a poet, a writer, and a peace activist recognized as one of the leading interpreters of Buddhism. He is the president of Soka Gakkai International, a lay Buddhist association that pursues the values of peace, culture, and education and that is committed to fostering a sense of responsibility for the shared global community.