Book Review: A Record of My Life by Dr. Daisaku Ikeda
- Print length – 261 pages
- Publisher – Eternal Ganges
- Publishing Date – Nov 2025
- ISBN: 9788198563767
A Record of My Life is a collection of essays by Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, based on his travels and visits across the world.
Dr. Ikeda wrote 55 essays between April 1995 and June 1999, and 15 of them have been compiled in this book. Through these essays, we get a glimpse into his observations, experiences and, more importantly, his thoughts about humanity.
What comes through strongly in the book is his belief that humanistic values – such as compassion and harmonious coexistence – are not limited to Buddhism or any one culture. They are values that connect people across countries, cultures and traditions.
I particularly enjoyed reading his reflections on his meetings with leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Soviet Union’s last President Mikhail Gorbachev, and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. In his essays Dr. Ikeda reflects deeply on the people, their ideas and the larger questions of peace, humanity and the future of the world.
It is enriching to read thinkers who have spent their lives engaging with the world and its people. Dr. Ikeda travelled extensively and worked throughout his life for world peace, promoting dialogue, education, art and culture.
Dr Daisaku Ikeda on Gandhi
One part of the book that particularly stayed with me was his reflection on Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to India in 1992.
His words feel remarkably relevant even today:
“When we consider the state of the world today, it is clear that there has never been a more urgent need for a revival of Gandhism.”
He wrote about how Gandhi sought universal values in the lives of ordinary people and how his focus never shifted away from them.
“Gandhi sought to discover values that were global and universal in things familiar and close to his fellow citizens. His gaze never strayed from the people.”
Dr. Ikeda also reflected on the kind of world Gandhi envisioned, a world where different ethnic groups and organisations retain their unique identities and traditions, while contributing to the larger good and helping each other move towards mutual prosperity.
Reading this today, in a world that often seems increasingly divided, these thoughts feel especially relevant.
Reading ‘A Record of My Life’ is like travelling through the world alongside someone who is constantly looking for the common thread that connects humanity.
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