Soka University
Soka University, founded in Japan by Daisaku Ikeda, leader of the Soka Gakkai International religious corporation, has is a group colleges with campuses in Japan and the United States. Soka University Los Angeles in Calabasas, California, focuses on teaching English as a second language. Soka University of America (SUA) in Aliso Viejo, California, is a four-year liberal arts university.
SUA, which opened in 2001, has been beset by controversy and questions related to its relationship with Soka Gakkai. The university is officially nonsectarian but most of its funding -- in excess of $700 million during its first few years of operation -- comes from Soka Gakkai member contributions. Some students and teachers have charged that the university is not independent from the Soka Gakkai religious sect, and professors sued the university for religious discrimination.
Philosophy of Soka Education
Soka University's educational philosophy was established by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, the first president of Soka Gakkai, who had worked as the principal of elementary school in Japan. Makiguchi published the Value Creatirg Educational System based on his belief that "the purpose of education is to lead students' happiness," and emphasized humanistic education pedagogy. This educational philosophy was shared by his successor, Josei Toda, who had served as an elementary school teacher. Toda's successor Daisaku Ikeda describes his goal as carrying out the dreams of Makiguchi and Toda.
See also
- Buddhist universities in the United States and Canada
