This Month in Soka Gakkai History (June)

6/4

SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai Day

In 2009, Ikeda Sensei and his wife, Kaneko, visited the Soka Young Women’s Center in Shinanomachi, Tokyo, for the first time and presented five eternal guidelines for the young women’s division. To commemorate this day, June 4 is celebrated as SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai Day.

6/6

First Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi’s Birthday

In 1871, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi was born in the village of Arahama in present-day Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture. In 1928, Mr. Makiguchi embraced Nichi-ren Buddhism. On Nov. 18, 1930, he published the first volume of The System of Value-Creating Education. This date later became the founding day of the Soka Gakkai (formerly known as the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai). In a time of war, Mr. Makiguchi stood up against oppression by the militarist government and carried through in his faith. On Nov. 18, 1944, while in prison, he died a martyr to his beliefs at the age of 73. (See The New Human Revolution, vol. 2, “Courageous Endeavor” chapter and NHR-15, “Flowering” chapter)

6/7

Establishment of the High School Division

In 1964, inaugural meetings of the high school division were held across Tokyo. Sensei attended the inaugural meeting for the Tokyo No. 2 Headquarters young men’s high school division and did gongyo together with the participants. (See NHR-9, “Young Phoenixes” chapter)

6/10

Establishment of the Women’s Division

In 1951, just after Josei Toda was inaugurated as second Soka Gakkai president, 52 representatives gathered with him, establishing the women’s division. On that occasion, Mr. Toda composed and presented the following waka poem: A noble gathering / like fragrant white lilies / pure-hearted friends (NHR-7, 291). (See The Human Revolution, “Overwhelming Joy” chapter)

6/30

65th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Student Division

In 1957, in Tokyo, an inaugural meeting of the student division was held. Sensei, who was taking the lead in a struggle for human rights in Hokkaido, sent the student division members a congratulatory telegram. (See The Human Revolution, “Students” and “Yubari” chapters)