Fulfillment of a dream for
the sake of
Amazonian biodiversity
The Soka Amazon Institute is the realization of a dream of Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, a pacifist, philosopher, writer, poet, and also a conservationist who has never been to the Amazon, but always had a deep insight into the importance of this region and its biodiversity.
Our headquarters is located in the city of Manaus, Amazonas State, within the 52-hectare Dr. Daisaku Ikeda private natural heritage reserve (RPPN), in its incomparable location, on the riverbank overlooking the “Meeting of Waters” of the Negro and Solimões rivers.
In our Socio-Environmental Reports published annually, there are always details of the many projects we carry out with a focus on Environmental Education, Nature Conservation, and Scientific Research.
Values, Mission, Vision
Our values are based on Soka humanism for sustainability. Acting with empathy and compassion, seeking mutual trust through responsibility, seriousness, honesty, courage, creativity and dynamism, generating broad interconnection.
Our mission is to contribute to protecting the ecological integrity of the Amazon through sharing the humanistic vision of our founder, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda.
Our visionis, by 2030, to be a reference point in connecting the converging ideals of ecological justice and a society linked by consciousness of environmental sustainability.
Practical Action
The gigantic Amazon region – constantly focused on in major world events, in the pronouncements of leaders from all continents, and a frequent subject in all forms of media in all countries – needs to be understood, and more than just words, it requires practical action.
It is with this purpose, within what our resources allow, with the support of public and private agencies, partner companies, and a large number of individuals in Brazil and around the world, that we have concentrated our efforts – practical and continuous actions in favor of the forest and numerous activities that involve plants, animals, and especially the people who live in the Amazon region.
Among several socio-environmental actions that are continuously being developed, one of our responsibilities is the management of the private natural heritage reserve (RPPN) where our headquarters is located.
The same successful approach is now being extended in the new work of managing another private natural heritage reserve (RPPN) Cachoeira da Onça, in the city of Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas State, about 130 kilometers from Manaus, a project in partnership with the Amazon Network Foundation.
Our founder
One vision
A concrete reality
As a long-time admirer of the Amazon region, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda considers it an “ideal paradise” of unique coexistence.
From a broader perspective, he also states: “Environmental education, for peace and human rights, must be at the core of a new humanistic education.” (Peace Proposal, 2003).
Issues such as global citizenship, mutual respect, world peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons, as well as interaction between the individual and his environment, are recurrent themes in Dr. Ikeda’s dialogues, in the books he publishes, and in the peace proposals he contributes annually to the United Nations (UN).
“No one is denying that science has improved our lives. But we need to combine the progress of science with progress in our commitment to preserve and protect our environment. We need balance.”
Source: The Way of Youth: Buddhist Common Sense for Dealing with Life’s Questions by Daisaku Ikeda:
https://pt.innerself.com/social/environment/4322-environmental compassion-by-daisaku-ikedo.ht
Dr. Daisaku Ikeda has received many honors in Brazil. Specifically in the Amazon and for the role played by the Soka Amazon Institute:
Medal of Social Merit by the Amazon Court of Justice (2018)
Nilo Peçanha Medal of the Federal Institute of Education of the Amazon (2019)
Doctor Honoris Causa from the Federal University of the Amazon (2019)
City of Manaus Gold Medal granted by the Manaus City Council (2021)
Doctor Honoris Causa from the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) (2021)
Archeological and
historical sites
Treasures from the past continue
being researched
Book your visit
Our private natural heritage reserve (RPPN) provides a chance for reconnection with nature, besides having a significant history and being situated of overlooking one of the postcard-views of the Amazon, the “Meeting of the Waters”. This place is maintained by the desire of the founder to preserve a small piece of our forest so that all current and future generations can have access to it.
In order to visit, prior scheduling is necessary
In this post-pandemic period, there are no fixed schedules. Visits occur according to the reception of requests and the availability of the teams.
Under normal circumstances there would be visiting groups of up to 40 people. This number has now been reduced to 20 people.
An access fee of 10 reais is charged and devoted to the maintenance of the Reserve and Environmental Education projects.
Group visits by students of all levels and researchers, are always very welcome. To schedule a visit, please contact us by e-mail: agendamentos@institutosoka-amazonia.org.br
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Be a volunteer
Participate in our projects, help contribute to the 2030 Agenda’s
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN).
You can be a volunteer at the Soka Amazon Institute, participate in our projects, and contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN).
In addition, the Institute’s initiatives are excellent opportunities for interaction with the environment and for students and researchers to learn about the fauna and flora of the Amazon.
Your work can help us expand the projects and put new ideas into practice, because we believe that joint initiatives generate partnerships that can create synergy with the region’s development.
Documents / Transparency
The word transparency has been used quite frequently in recent times.
More than just using words such as transparency, we consistently work with complete openness to provide any information needed, especially to our supporters – whether legal entities or individuals from all over the world.
We publish an annual Socio-environmental Report with details of each of our activities for the sake of the Amazon region.
The recognition of this clarity in disclosure is evident in the constant and decisive support we have been receiving from companies, educational institutions of all levels, public and private agencies, and individuals both in Brazil and in other parts of the world.
This gives us great pride.
