by Shota Okajima, Amelia Gonzalez Tesch and Kenichi Hackman
SGI-USA Youth, Young Women’s and Young Men’s Leaders
If you’ve seen the new Netflix show “Adolescence,” you may feel that youth need support more than ever. There has never been a more important time than now to introduce youth to a philosophy where they can learn the dignity of their own lives and see that same dignity in others.
In March, 3,000 (and counting) youth guests took part in monthly district discussion meetings in neighborhoods throughout the country. We can’t thank you enough for all the support you provided to make this a reality.
We’ve heard many stories of youth wanting to come back because of how the meetings inspired them. So, what’s next?
This year, we have been advancing based on our three mottos of shakubuku rooted in friendship, strengthening our youth and strengthening our community! It’s time to take it a step deeper. At the heart of these three mottos is one essential message: Creating a District With Many Youth Is Up to Me.
Let us each play a part in creating a district with many youth. We can do so by personally deciding to have one youth receive the Gohonzon this year!
Where does the process of sharing Buddhism with youth begin? By listening to and building meaningful friendships with them. Ikeda Sensei writes:
Propagation must always be a process of deepening friendship and earning trust. In today’s world, superficial conversations abound, but genuine dialogue is rare. Sharing Nichiren Buddhism, however, is genuine dialogue—a stimulating exchange based on deep consideration for our friends as we invite them to walk with us on the path of true and complete happiness. (The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 266)
For the more than 3,000 youth guests who attended a district discussion meeting in March, we can be the people who listen to them and build lasting friendships. We can ask them about their dreams, what worries them and what they want to see happen in their lives. It could be as simple as just hanging out, spending time together with them.
We may think that we’re in an area of the country where there aren’t many youth or that we don’t have much in common with them because of age differences. Sensei explains that these barriers to introducing youth to Buddhism exist only in our minds.
He writes:
What is the key to enabling others to practice? It is determination. As long as you are firmly resolved, you can transform any situation. …
First, it’s important to pray wholeheartedly to the Gohonzon to be able to share Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings with others. When you do so, people who are seeking Buddhism will appear in your environment. It’s also crucial that you speak with as many people as possible about the practice. Of course, there is no guarantee that any of them will take faith right away. But what matters is that you are tenacious as you deepen your bonds of friendship with them, praying every day for their happiness while engaging them in dialogue. If you plant seeds and nurture them with care, they will definitely bloom one day and bear fruit. There’s no need to be impatient.
In addition, even if your friends haven’t joined the Soka Gakkai, you can still bring them to meetings and study and chant together with them. It’s important to let things happen naturally.
At any rate, all your efforts to share Nichiren Buddhism will come back to you as good fortune. Whether or not the other person starts to practice, you are still creating causes for your own attainment of Buddhahood. (The New Human Revolution, vol. 13, revised edition, pp. 156–57)
Sensei has laid out the roadmap for us! Looking toward December, let us each play a part in creating a district with many youth and personally determine to have one youth receive the Gohonzon this year! As youth leaders, we will be the first to take on this challenge! Thank you very much!
April 11, 2025 World Tribune, pp. 6–7
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