Moral Lessons of the Twentieth Century: Gorbachev and Ikeda on Buddhism and Communism

by Mikhail Gorbachev, Daisaku Ikeda

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2005

About the author

Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev was a Russian politician. He was the last General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the last head of state of the USSR, serving from 1985 until its collapse in 1991.

Gorbachev's attempts at reform—perestroika and glasnost—as well as summit conferences with United States President Ronald Reagan, contributed to the end of the Cold War, and also ended the political supremacy of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990. At the time of his death Gorbachev served as the leader of the Union of Social-Democrats, a political party founded after the official dissolution of the Social Democratic Party of Russia on 20 October 2007.

Reviews

[Iain Coggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a warning: any book in my library that is SGI/Daisaku Ikeda related will receive 5 stars. Since I am a Nichiren Buddhist and SGI member, such books hold religious meaning for me; thus my bias.

In this fascinating dialogue, Gorbachev and Ikeda discuss the intersections of Buddhist and Communist thought, along with a healthy dose of reflection on the foundations and ultimate fate of Communism in the 20th century. It is particularly interesting to encounter those points where these close friends diverge in opinion. An important book for our times!