Commemorating SGI-USA Women’s Day

Every year on Feb. 27, the women of America celebrate SGI-USA Women’s Day by renewing their vow to become happy and help others do the same.

On this day in 1990, representative women from across the country joined Ikeda Sensei and Kaneko Ikeda for the First SGI-USA Women’s Division Meeting, held at the former Soka University of America campus in Calabasas, California. At the request of the SGI-USA, this day, which is also the birthday of Mrs. Ikeda, SGI Honorary Women’s leader, came to be recognized as SGI-USA Women’s Day.

At the meeting, Sensei delivered his seminal guidance “Buddhism Is the Clear Mirror That Reflects Our Lives,” using the analogy of a mirror to describe how we can attain Buddhahood by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo before the Gohonzon, which serves as the “clear mirror” that reflects the depths of our lives. Sensei called the participants “masters of the art of polishing the mirror of life” reminding them:

A polished mirror is the Buddha’s life, whereas a tarnished mirror is that of a common mortal. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is what polishes our life. Not only do we undertake this practice ourselves, we also endeavor to teach others about the Mystic Law so that the mirror of their lives shines brightly, too. (My Dear Friends in America, third edition, p. 96)

To commemorate the 32nd anniversary of SGI-USA Women’s Day, virtual intro-to- Buddhism meetings will be held from Feb. 25 to 27, open to all women, young women and nonbinary members and guests.