by Adin Strauss
SGI-USA General Director
Thank you for your phenomenal efforts and sincere financial offerings to advance kosen-rufu. We have worked side by side with SGI President Ikeda to create historic milestones for advancing kosen-rufu in America. Now we are building on these efforts to further expand and strengthen our movement for the sake of humanity.
In response to our mentor’s expectations, let’s continue to expand our movement to become a powerful force for change by helping others to forge their faith and transform their lives, creating waves of hope in families and communities across the country. To fuel our continuing development and activities, financial resources are needed. SGI-USA’s rapidly expanding membership requires new and larger centers in more locations, additional support for special events, online resources and other tools to support members’ practice.
Many of Nichiren Daishonin’s letters to his disciples begin with expressing appreciation for their offerings, which enabled him to spread his teachings.
SGI President Ikeda has written: “The offerings and financial contributions the organization solicited were exclusively to accomplish the Daishonin’s mandate to widely propagate the Mystic Law. Offerings made toward this end were equivalent to offerings made to the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. There was, then, no greater offering, no greater good. Certainly, nothing could bring greater benefit. This thought filled Shin’ichi[1] with a sense of immeasurable good fortune and joy at having had the chance to make such offerings as a Soka Gakkai member” (The New Human Revolution, vol. 4, revised edition, pp. 117–18).[2]
Because making offerings is an essential part of Buddhist practice, let’s ensure that members correctly understand the Buddhist spirit of offerings. Contributions based on a sense of mission for kosen-rufu and deep appreciation for the SGI will definitely attract benefit to our lives. Many of you have wonderful experiences that attest to this.
During personal encouragement to members, let’s share our experiences of why we contribute. Let’s also ensure that the youth can develop fortune through participating in contribution. We want to also ensure that our new members understand the Buddhist spirit of offerings (see below).
In this Year of Soka Victory, we can use our May Contribution activity as the power source to strengthen our movement for kosen-rufu and achieve our greatest dreams.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all that you do.
Helping New Members Understand the Spirit of Offerings
In January 2019, the SGI-USA put into place a new guideline whereby new members must wait for one year before making a financial contribution.
The purpose of this change is to ensure that new members first understand the SGI’s spirit of offerings, which are an integral part of Buddhist practice. After their first year of practice, members will be interviewed by local leaders prior to being offered the opportunity to make their first financial contribution.
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