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Lotus sutra related materials of major research institutes in the world

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SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, founder of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy (IOP), has been conducting exchanges and promoting friendship with scholars and intellectuals from institutions the world over that have preserved valuable materials related to the Lotus Sutra and other scriptures. In recognition of his contribution to the promotion of the teachings and philosophy of peace of the Lotus Sutra throughout the world, the St. Petersburg Branch of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (presently the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts, Russian Academy of Sciences, IOM RAS) conferred upon him the title of honorary member in November 1996. IOM RAS and other institutions and individuals have donated precious materials related to the Lotus Sutra to the IOP founder. Some of the items are displayed in this exhibition.

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Presented by Academic Institutions

An ehibition for pactitioners of the Lotus Sutra
At the meeting with SGI President Ikeda [on February 16, 1996] , Vorobyova-Desyatovskaya said, “All things in the world are impermanent. But the brilliant philosophy recorded in the sutras shines forever. In our present society, people have the tendency to be attached to wealth and fame and to neglect noble ideals and great aspirations. However, I believe that with the presence of Mr. Ikeda, humanity will be revitalized.” The Russian scholar continued: “I would like to dedicate the exhibits to the members of the Soka Gakkai, whose practice is in accordance with the true spirit of the Lotus Sutra.”
—Translated from an article in the February 17, 1996, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun
Photo is The Institute of Oriental Manuscripts of the Russian Academy of Sciences, now. the Institute of Oriental Studies in St. Petersburg, past
A printed copy from the microfilm of the Xixia version of the Lotus Sutra, which was provided by the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts, Russian Academy of Sciences in 1995
Replicas of precious Lotus Sutra manuscripts
At a meeting with SGI President Ikeda in February 1996, Dr. M. I. Vorobyova-Desyatovskaya of the St. Petersburg Branch of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences presented the SGI leader with microfilms of precious manuscripts of the Lotus Sutra and other items.

① A roll of microfilm of the Chinese version of the Lotus Sutra translated by Kumarajiva, which was printed in 1146 CE in Khara-Khoto, a city of the Xixia state (present-day northwestern China).
② A roll of microfilm containing the Tibetan version of the Lotus Sutra (Bryat edition, 19th century CE) and a text of annotations on the Lotus Sutra in Tibetan compiled at an Amdo temple (wood-block print).
③ Replicas of fragments of the Lotus Sutra in Sanskrit.