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This Month in Soka Gakkai History (January)

Photo by Seongcheol Cho / EyeEm/ Gety Images.

1/15

Establishment of the junior high school division

In 1965, meetings of the high school and junior high school divisions were held throughout Japan, marking the establishment of the junior high school division. (See The New Human Revolution, vol. 9, “Young Phoenixes” chapter) 

1/25

Sensei declared ‘not guilty’ in the Osaka Incident

On July 3, 1957, Ikeda Sensei was unjustly arrested on groundless charges of election law violations in a House of Councillors by-election in Osaka. On July 17, he was released from prison. After a four-and-a-half-year struggle in court, on Jan. 25, 1962, he was declared “not guilty” by the Osaka District Court. On Feb. 8, the prosecutor declined to appeal, completely exonerating him. (See NHR-5, “Lion” chapter)  

1/26

Soka Gakkai International Day

In 1975, 158 representatives from 51 countries and territories assembled in Guam for the First World Peace Conference, marking the inauguration of the Soka Gakkai International. Every year since 1983, Sensei has presented an annual peace proposal on Jan. 26. (See NHR-21, “SGI” chapter)

1/27

Sensei Presents ‘The Sun of Jiyu Over a New Land’

On Jan. 27, 1993, Sensei dedicated his poem “The Sun of Jiyu Over a New Land” to the members of Los Angeles and SGI-USA. In response to the social unrest after the acquittal of police officers involved in the beating of Rodney King in 1992, the poem calls for each person to awaken the boundless life state of jiyu, Bodhisattva of the Earth, within. This year marks 30 years since the poem was presented.

1/29

Sensei’s first visit to the Middle East

In 1962, Sensei departed for his first visit to the Middle East. On Jan. 30, he took his first step in Tehran, Iran. (See NHR-6, “Treasure Land” and “Long Journey” chapters)

Jan.13, 2023, World Tribune, p. 4

Ikeda Sensei Pens 2023 New Year’s Poems

A Trustworthy Compass