interaction with nature

[The quality of] interactions between humans and the world around us can first be understood to depend on the subjective qualities of the person. It is through our various interactions with the world that we develop in a fully balanced manner. That being the case, the world around us, nature in particular, can truly be our enlightener, our guide, our consoler. Forging a variety of interactions with nature is essential in enabling us to meet and deal with the limitless vicissitudes of life. Our happiness in life can indeed be said to be proportional to the extent and intimacy of our interaction with nature.

Makiguchi, Tsunesaburo. 2002. A Geography of Human Life. Trans. by Katsusuke Hori et al. Ed. by Dayle M. Bethel. San Francisco: Caddo Gap Press.

buddhist humanism

Recognizing that all is change within a framework of interdependence, we of course see harmony and oneness as expressions of our interconnectedness. But we can even appreciate contradiction and conflict in the same way. Thus the struggle against evil-- a struggle that issues from the inner effort to master our own contradictions and conflicts-- should be seen as a difficult yet unavoidable trial that we must undergo in the effort to create a greater and deeper sense of connection.

If we experience connection positively as a sense of harmony or oneness, we experience the same connection negatively in conflict. In that they are both aspects of connection, they can be understood as bearing an equal value. To the degree, however, that we recognize the reality of life as a struggle and understand that it is through struggle that our humanity is tempered and strengthened, a courageous engagement with conflict is even more crucial. In the Buddhist tradition, this is the mark of honor of the bodhisattva. Refusing to discriminate on the basis of stereotypes or imposed limitations, we can recognize the underlying oneness of positive and negative connection, and engage with the full force of our lives in the kind of dialogue that will transform even conflict into positive connection. It is in this challenge that the true contribution of a Buddhist-based humanism is to be found.

Ikeda Daisaku, 2005 peace proposal, 

http://www.daisakuikeda.org/main/peacebuild/peace-proposals/pp2005.html

inner universalism

[I]nner universalism is a method for searching the inner self to find a universal value within it. As a matter of course, Buddhism is a method of probing the depths of life, addressing the levels of human life, race, nation, biosphere and earth, leading to an understanding of original life force as ultimately fused with the universe itself. [...] The search for universal values in the depths of life corresponds to Buddhist wisdom (prajna) while the transcending of the self to reach out to external existence corresponds to the practice of compassion (maitri-karuna) in Buddhism.

Kawada Yoichi, 2001. The Importance of the Buddhist concept of Karma for World Peace. in Buddhism and Nonviolent Global Problem-Solving: Ulan Bator Explorations, Edited by Glenn D. Paige and Sarah Gilliatt. Center for Global Nonviolence.

Universal value is assumed to be inherent in each and every person, who must seek and develop it within his or her own life. This value is, by its very nature, one that cannot be imposed by force from outside. The strategy that logically derives from this concept of inner universalism is characterized by gradualism, as opposed to radicalism. Whereas radicalism is driven by force, gradualism is propelled by dialogue. The use of force is invariably a product of distrust; dialogue, by contrast, is based on mutual trust and respect.

Ikeda Daisaku, 1989. Toward a New Globalism,  Peace Proposal. Tokyo,  Soka Gakkai.