Daisaku Ikeda and Jubrān Khalīl Jubrān: Poetry as a Tool of Knowledge and Understanding Between Civilizations

In my teaching experience, I have noticed that presenting the thought of Arab authors without connecting them to thinkers from other cultures lacked effectiveness in providing a global context. Inspired by Ikeda's assertion “I have consistently undertaken the task of illuminating the humanistic philosophy and spirit deep within various cultures,” I’ve adopted this approach as my guiding principle. To foster reciprocal understanding, eradicating prejudice is necessary, and fostering dialogue is instrumental in breaking down barriers between self and others. This alignment of ideals is central in Ikeda’s concept of education (Goulah 2021, p. xix). This exploration aims to highlight Ikeda poetry’s potential to awaken a sense of shared humanity, and to compare it to the Arab-American poet Jubrān Khalīl Jubrān to show how universal values can inspire commitment to the well-being of others.