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Ikeda Sensei

The Theme of ‘The Human Revolution’ and ‘The New HumanRevolution’

Chantilly. Photo by Nicole Walters.

Today, Aug. 6, is the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima [in 1945]. On this date last year [1993], I began writing my novel The New Human Revolution here at the Nagano Training Center. It is grounded in the theme “A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and, further, will enable a change in the destiny of all humankind” (The Human Revolution, p. viii). This expresses in contemporary terms the Buddhist principle of three thousand realms in a single moment of life.

A transformation in our fundamental mindset transforms the three realms of existences—that is, the realm of the five components [form, perception, conception, volition and consciousness, which are said to merge to form an individual being], the realm of living beings and the realm of the environment. In other words, a change in our attitude or determination first effects a change in our own life. It can positively affect our health and vigor and allow us to bring forth limitless wisdom. Those who have transformed their lives in this way can guide others in the direction of happiness. They can also change society and the natural environment, transforming the world into a wonderful realm of peace and plenty.

Such are the workings of the principle of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, the zenith of Buddhist philosophy.

September 5, 2025 World Tribune, p. 2

Establishing the Life State of Buddhahood