Authorechoi

Have you ever felt joy after pouring your heart into a project and hearing someone say: “You were amazing!” or “That was great!” Or perhaps you’ve held the door open for someone just in time and been met with a heartfelt “Thank you!” Such seemingly small moments can stay with us, reminding us that offering

Centering my life on appreciation, I build the family I once feared I’d never have.

Warm greetings to each and every member of our wonderful SGI-USA community. I truly feel at a loss for words to express how appreciative I am by everyone’s incredible support, given so freely and in so many ways, for kosen-rufu in America and beyond. In these most confusing and trying times, what enables a person—any

David Hockney (1937 –) was born in England and later moved between the U.K. and the United States before settling in California at age 41. He lived in Malibu and the Hollywood Hills, becoming deeply inspired by the light and colors of Los Angeles. The brightness and atmosphere of the city strongly influenced his artistic

These questions were taken from The Basics of Nichiren Buddhism, the study guide for both the introductory and intermediate exams taking place across the SGI-USA this coming April 10–13. For Starters: From the Introductory Exam Instructions: Choose the best answer.  1) In triumphing over the Tatsunokuchi Persecution, Nichiren Daishonin, while remaining an ordinary human being,

The following is from the April 2026 issue of the Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal. Enticed by the sun’s gentle warmth, cherry blossoms burst into bloom, adorning themselves with the joy of spring. In their graceful dance, Ikeda Sensei beheld the cherished smile of his mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda. This

During the Central Executive Committee’s quarterly conference, all roads lead back to “One Youth. Infinite Hope.”

A quiet bench near the student center at Soka University of America (SUA) bears a powerful reminder of history: a cast bronze plaque commemorating the meeting between civil rights leader Rosa Parks and SUA founder Daisaku Ikeda on Jan. 30, 1993. During that visit to SUA’s former graduate campus in Calabasas, California, Parks and Ikeda

From changing course as a youth to building joyful connections today, Mark Campos and West Oahu Chapter model hope.

Beginning with myself, and with the help of good friends, I learn to believe in one person at a time.

The following is from a speech at a Tokyo general meeting on Aug. 24, 1989. It can be found in The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, chapter 28, installment 2, pp. 244–46. Noting that founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi began practicing Nichiren Buddhism at a relatively advanced age, Ikeda

In the following, Ikeda Sensei discusses the lofty mentor-disciple spirit shared by the first three Soka Gakkai presidents. It is from Discussions on Youth, published in Japanese in March 1999 and can be found in The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, chapter 28, installment 1, pp. 241–44. Ikeda Sensei has

High in the skyline of Philadelphia stands a towering statue of William Penn, watching over the city he helped shape. The sculpture placed on top of Philadelphia City Hall, is one of its most recognizable landmarks. Alexander Milne Calder (1846–1923) created this famous monument and many other sculptures that decorate Philadelphia City Hall. Born in

This new series, prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department, features timeless stories in Nichiren Daishonin’s writings (called the Gosho) that continue to offer practical wisdom for us today. High in the snowy Himalayan mountains lived a bird called the “cold-suffering bird” (kankucho). Every night it shivered in the freezing cold and promised itself that once

by the Pennsylvania Zone team What is your zone motto? Making History With Ikeda Sensei Through a Youthful Organization! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Our history began in the late 1960s with a handful of pioneer women who introduced some members of the Pennsylvania Ballet Company in Philadelphia to Nichiren Buddhism. That marked

Youth from across SoCal Mojave Zone gathered on March 7 in Riverside, California, for a youth summit, themed “One,” a daylong gathering focused on dialogue, friendship and exploring the deeper purpose of one’s life in commemoration of March 16, Kosen-rufu Day. Embraced by clear blue skies and the warm Southern California sunshine, youth from throughout

Azarel Ruiz challenges herself to open her heart, share Buddhism for the first time and help other youth discover hope.

Art Golden Gate Mentor and Disciple (GGMD) Zone brought together Oakland artists to explore how Buddhism inspires artistic expression and poetic spirit in daily life. Oakland, Calif. Blank walls gradually filled with paintings and sculptures as participants arrived for “Art and Buddhism,” an event hosted in February by the Golden Gate Mentor and Disciple Zone

To show my young friends that justice prevails, I make my case for the sake of kosen-rufu.

To simplify the annual activity calendar, the SGI-USA has streamlined the study rhythm by reducing the number of exam periods offered to two, annually:  • Period 1: April 10–13During this period, both the introductory and intermediate exams will be offered, allowing local organizations to host exams on an expanded schedule from Friday through Monday for