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A Homecoming to Remember

September 13, 2021

Chicago, Ill.
Chicago, Ill.

They wore masks and smiled with their eyes, greeting one another with elbow bumps and hearty waves. After an 18-month hiatus, the second phase reopening of SGI-USA Buddhist Centers saw hybrid September kosen-rufu gongyo meetings held in person and by Zoom. For members at these eight centers, it was the first time to meet in person since the SGI-USA halted all in-person activities in March 2020 to slow the spread of COVID-19. As such, these meetings overflowed with heartfelt gratitude to see friends in faith, old and new.

The SGI-USA in June had announced a phased plan to safely reopen our Buddhist centers (see the July 2, 2021, World Tribune). A limited number of larger SGI-USA Centers opened in August for kosen-rufu gongyo meetings, with more centers to come. All other meetings will continue to be held virtually.

Members at Brookline, Mass. New York, N.Y.
Brookline, Mass. New York, N.Y.
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
New York, N.Y.
New York, N.Y.
New York, N.Y.
New York, N.Y.
Teaneck, N.J.
Teaneck, N.J.
Brookline, Mass.
Brookline, Mass.
Chicago, Ill.
Chicago, Ill.
Chicago, Ill.
Chicago, Ill.
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Chicago, Ill.
Chicago, Ill.
North Hollywood, Calif
North Hollywood, Calif

Photos by Bianca Golden, Arlene Harrison, Yin Thin Low, Kevin Lynden, Bob Nardi, Adam Perry, Michelle Riofrio, Yuriko Wada, Allen Zaki

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