“A Legacy of Value that Transcends Generations”

[To commemorate the first anniversary of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda’s passing, the Seikyo Shimbun (Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper) conducted an interview on November 15, 2024, with Dr. Óscar Maúrtua de Romaña, a distinguished Peruvian diplomat, jurist and attorney who has twice served as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Maúrtua was the official who, in his capacity as Secretary General to the Presidency of the Republic under President Fernando Belaúnde (1980–85), oversaw the preparation and coordination of the ceremony in which Mr. Ikeda was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru, the nation’s highest honor.]

Seikyo Shimbun: Last year, following the passing of Mr. Ikeda, you published a message of condolence on the website of the Peruvian Society of International Law, in which you expressed your heartfelt sympathy. In that message, you stated “Dr. Ikeda has left an enduring legacy for future generations.”

What does Mr. Ikeda represent to you personally?

Dr. Óscar Maúrtua de Romaña: First of all, I would like to say that Dr. Ikeda lives on in our hearts and continues to be an exceptional and constructive role model to follow. Today, the Soka Gakkai has grown to include approximately 12 million members across 192 countries and regions. Many of Dr. Ikeda’s disciples have embraced his way of life as a model and, through their practice of faith, are cultivating their own humanity.

Each of these individuals is living proof that Dr. Ikeda’s spirit lives on. I believe we have a responsibility to further strengthen the culture of peace that he spread throughout the world.

Since his first visit to Peru in 1966, Dr. Ikeda always believed in the potential of our country and encouraged us on every occasion he visited. Despite being a global figure, he never displayed arrogance or personal ambition. As I will mention later, he always offered me his warm support. It would not be an exaggeration to say that his ideas and actions have influenced my own development as a human being.

One of the most profound lessons I learned from Dr. Ikeda was the importance of contributing to the development of my country and to democracy from my own position. Throughout my career as a diplomat, I have had the honor of serving as ambassador to several countries, including Canada, Bolivia and Thailand. One of my most significant accomplishments was helping Peru join APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) in 1998. Needless to say, in the midst of this challenge, Dr. Ikeda’s encouragement was a great source of support—for me personally and for Peru’s full integration into and endorsement by such an influential regional body.

[Editorial Note: This year (2024), Peru holds the presidency (rotating chair) of APEC. It was Mr. Maúrtua who, during his second term as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2021, announced that the country would host the summit.]

Seikyo: Many intellectuals around the world came to know Mr. Ikeda through his dialogue with the British historian Dr. Arnold Toynbee. We understand that you are one of them.

Dr. Maúrtua: In 1972, while I was studying at the University of Oxford in England, I heard that there was a Japanese monk or sage who was engaged in dialogues with Dr. Arnold Toynbee. I was fortunate that my professor of international law, Sir Humphrey Waldock—who served as president of both the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice—invited me to attend the event at the Bodleian Library. There, I saw a young but already well-known Daisaku Ikeda. Later, a collection of those dialogues was published, and I remember reading them with great emotion.

Beginning in 1980, I assumed the position of secretary general under the second administration of President Fernando Belaúnde Terry (1912–2002). When I attempted to introduce Dr. Ikeda to the president, he was already familiar with his achievements and had even read the dialogue between Ikeda and Toynbee. I remember him saying, “He’s the one who co-authored Choose Life—the Japanese title is Dialogue Toward the 21st Century—with Dr. Toynbee, isn’t he?” I replied, “Exactly! He is a great philosopher and advocate for peace.”

In March 1984, at the Government Palace in Lima, I had the honor of meeting Dr. Ikeda in person—an encounter I will never forget. It was a deeply meaningful dialogue for the cause of global peace. During that meeting, President Belaúnde, along with all those present and the media, was struck by Dr. Ikeda’s resolute condemnation of terrorism. At the time, Peru was being rocked by a series of terrorist attacks. Dr. Ikeda’s visit in the midst of such turmoil was an act of great courage, and his words became a source of strength in confronting the national crisis. On that occasion, he was unexpectedly awarded the country’s highest decoration—an honor that stands as the utmost recognition, even within the long and historic ties between Peru and Japan.

There was another memorable event. A few days after the meeting at the Government Palace in Peru, the president hosted a private luncheon at the official residence, inviting Dr. Ikeda and his wife. Among the guests were the prime minister, the minister of education, the director of the National Institute of Culture, the president of the National University of San Marcos, and the heads of major national newspapers—all personally selected in consultation with the president.

On that occasion, President Belaúnde remarked, “SGI President Ikeda’s efforts for peace are a great contribution to humanity and have significantly advanced exchanges between Peru and Japan, as well as contributed to Peru’s prosperity,” expressing his heartfelt and profound gratitude. That “spirit of Peru” remains unchanged to this day.

On a personal note, after President Belaúnde left office, I had the opportunity to visit Japan with my family while serving as ambassador to Canada, and I was able to reunite with Dr. Ikeda. I take great pride in having maintained a strong bond and friendship with him for nearly 40 years.

In 2012, while serving as director of the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at the Technological University of Peru, we conferred upon Dr. Ikeda the title of Doctor Honoris Causa as well as professor emeritus of the Faculty of Law, Political Science and International Relations. In his honor, the main auditorium of the Graduate School was named the “Daisaku Ikeda Auditorium.”

Seikyo: For many years, you have warmly followed the progress of the SGI, including your attendance at the opening ceremony of the new SGI Peru Culture Center this past September.

Dr. Maúrtua: The opening ceremony was deeply moving. The fact that a center of this scale was built in the San Isidro district is proof that the SGI is deeply rooted in Peruvian culture.

[Editorial Note: San Isidro is the new central district of Lima, the capital. The area surrounding the center is home to several foreign embassies.]

I’ve closely followed the development of SGI-Peru. Some of the people I met 40 years ago are still actively involved and in good health. What strikes me most is how every generation values their identity as practitioners. On one occasion, I asked the young people, “How long have you been with the SGI?” Many responded, “Since my grandparents’ generation,” or “My parents are members, so I joined, too.” Of course, there are also many individuals who join on their own, even if their families are not members.

What’s remarkable is that the younger generations understand where they belong and take pride in it. I feel that the Soka Gakkai is a peaceful community—not one where things are imposed from above, but a place where people genuinely want to be, out of their own free will.

Seikyo: The source of that development lies in the connection of mentor and disciple they have with Mr. Ikeda.

Dr. Maúrtua: I believe that Dr. Ikeda has left behind a legacy of value that transcends generations. In other words, through the practice of faith, people improve their lives, discover their mission, and develop their potential. At the same time, they gain a clear awareness of the challenges facing society, and rather than being swayed by them, they work toward solving those problems.

Dr. Ikeda has fostered a solidarity of good people dedicated to peace and has continuously nurtured individuals committed to that cause. This is not limited to Peru—it extends throughout the world. It is a truly extraordinary achievement.

War, climate change, environmental destruction, ocean pollution, sexual violence, drug addiction, and pandemics. . . So many pressing concerns still exist in the world today. I am not the only one who wishes Dr. Ikeda were here now to help us overcome these challenges.

Yet, his unwavering conviction in justice continues to shine brightly in our hearts. His philosophy teaches us to live true to ourselves, to discover our own value, and to master our inner being. I am convinced that these ideals will be passed on to future generations, continuing to inspire us and guiding us toward the realization of the peaceful and just society he envisioned.

I am a Catholic, but I will always be a follower of Dr. Ikeda. I respect him as an exceptional human being—as a philosopher and a pacifist. I admire him for his humanistic and ecumenical message. On the first anniversary of his passing, I once again extend my deepest condolences to his family and to the Soka Gakkai.

Óscar Maúrtua de Romaña was born in Lima in 1947. A graduate with honors from the Diplomatic Academy of Peru, he also studied at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP) and the National University of San Marcos (UNMSM). He completed his postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, among other institutions.

He has served as ambassador to several countries including Canada, Bolivia, Thailand, Vietnam, Ecuador, Spain, Andorra and Laos. He also served as secretary general to the Presidency of the Republic (1980–85) and as minister of foreign affairs (2005–06, 2021–22). He is currently president of the Peruvian Society of International Law.

He holds several Doctor Honoris Causa degrees and has received numerous national and international honors.

Created by the Daisaku Ikeda Website Committee

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