ABOUT US

From the opening address

The Institute of Sokaology was established on April 1, 2019, as a place to conduct research based on the faith of Soka Gakkai.

In modern society, academics hold great authority. In this context, the world of religion, which cannot be explained by academics, inevitably appears alien. For religion to gain acceptance, its faith must be mediated by academics.

All three presidents of Soka Gakkai have sought to utilize academic research with faith at its core. Our institute hopes to carry on this spirit and envision and develop faith-centered academic research, or what we might call "faith studies."

Daisaku Ikeda, the third president of the Society, had the insight that all academic fields are proof of Buddhism. He said that academic fields should be guided by the wisdom of Buddhism and put to good use. This religious initiative to put all academic fields to good use is not found in Christian theology, for example.

In this way, Soka Gakkai's academic theory has the potential to open up new horizons in the study of faith. Our institute is a small organization. Nevertheless, we will continue to make progress, however small our efforts may be, toward building a Sokaology. We sincerely ask for the support and cooperation of all those who agree with us.

January 26, 2020

Dr. Mikio Matsuoka, Director of the Institute of Sokaology

Mikio Matsuoka

Director of Institute of Sokaology

Born in Nagasaki in 1962. Graduated from the Faculty of Education at Soka University. Completed the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tokyo. PhD (Academic). Professor and Director of the Institute of Oriental Thought at Higashi Nihon International University. His publications include "The Intellectual Development of Nichiren Buddhism" (University of Tokyo Press) and "[New Edition] Nichiren Buddhism and the Thought of Daisaku Ikeda" (Daisanbunmeisha).

TEAM

researcher

Masanori Yamaoka

researcher

Born in Kyoto in 1962. Graduated from the University of Tsukuba's First College of Letters. Completed doctoral studies at the University of Tsukuba's Graduate School of Literature and Linguistics. PhD (Linguistics). Professor at Soka University's Faculty of Letters. Researcher at the Institute of Oriental Philosophy, a public interest incorporated foundation. His publications include "Towards a Revival of the Humanities" (co-edited, Keiso Shobo) and "Principles and Aspects of Considerate Expressions in Japanese" (edited, Kuroshio Publishing).

Researcher Yamaoka's essay

Eiichi Tsutaki

researcher

Born in Yamanashi Prefecture in 1978. Graduated from the Faculty of Foreign Studies at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Completed a Master's degree in Cultural Studies at the Graduate School of Cultural Studies at the Open University of Japan. Master of Arts. Deputy Director of the Research Projects Department and Commissioned Researcher at the Institute of Oriental Philosophy, a public interest incorporated foundation.

Researcher Tsutaki's essay

Kenichi Miura

researcher

Born in Tokyo in 1990. Graduated from the Faculty of Letters at Soka University. Completed the Doctoral Program in Tourism Creation at the Graduate School of International Media, Public Relations and Tourism Studies at Hokkaido University. Master of Public Policy (Professional). Associate Professor and Chief Researcher at the Institute of Oriental Thought at East Japan International University.

Researcher Miura's essay

Andy Nagashima

Overseas Researcher

Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1967. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Soka University. Graduated with an MBA from City University. Member of the Thoreau Society and the Whitman Society. His publications include "A New Dawn: A Collection of Essays Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Publication of 'Walden', Henry David Thoreau: Walden" (co-edited, Kinseido) and "Missions: The American Renaissance and the Origins of Soka" (AMK). He is a staff member of SGI-USA Headquarters.