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by Amelia Gonzalez SGI-USA Young Women’s Leader From April 14 to 17, young women’s leaders from throughout the SGI-USA gathered at the Florida Nature and Culture Center for the 2023 Young Women’s Division Leaders Conference, despite what major news outlets termed a “1-in-1,000-year rainfall event” that hit nearby Fort Lauderdale the week of the conference. Nichiren

by Shota Okajima SGI-USA Young Men’s Leader From as far north as Portland, Oregon, and as far south as Jamaica, young men’s leaders traveled to Florida with incredible seeking spirit. They gathered to refresh themselves and unite at the April 21–23 Young Men’s Division Leaders Conference held at the SGI-USA Florida Nature and Culture Center. 

Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. —“The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon,”The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 832 Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good fortune,” Walt Whitman sings. Our lives

by Lee Malone SGI-USA Many Treasures Group Vice Men’s Leader World Tribune: Thank you, Lee, for speaking with us. You have practiced Nichiren Buddhism for several decades. How can longtime members stay refreshed in faith? Lee Malone: As we get older, things become more difficult. The mind is still there, but it’s hard to do

Ira Helfand was awarded the Gandhi, King, Ikeda Community Builder’s Prize on April 13, 2023, at a ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia. The following excerpts are from his acceptance address. Dr. Helfand is the co-president of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985.  When the Cold

Known as ‘the Pearl of the Adriatic,’ Dubrovnik, rich in culture and history, dates back to the first century when Roman refugees founded it, linking Roman and Slavic civilizations. Though the city has passed through Roman, Byzantine and Venetian hands over the centuries, it largely maintained its independence as a city-state, making major contributions to

This essay by Ikeda Sensei was published in the March 27, 2023, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun.  The power to create history is born of deep life-to-life connections. In particular, the courageous efforts of successors who respond to the trust placed in them by their predecessors open a new age.  In

Words of Encouragement From Ikeda Sensei

5/3 Soka Gakkai Day In 1951, Josei Toda was inaugurated as second Soka Gakkai president and declared his lifetime membership goal of 750,000 households. On May 3, 1960, 32-year-old Daisaku Ikeda was inaugurated as third Soka Gakkai president, vowing to advance kosen-rufu on his mentor’s behalf.  (See The Human Revolution, “Blazing Sun” chapter and “New

The following was adapted from sokaglobal.org  TOKYO, April 27, 2023—Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhist philosopher, peacebuilder and president of the Soka Gakkai International, issued a statement calling on the leaders of the G7 countries meeting in Hiroshima from May 19 to 21 to take bold steps toward resolving the conflict in Ukraine and guarantee the security of

May 3 is the New Year’s Day of the Soka Gakkai, a day when members in 192 countries and territories take a fresh step forward rooted in their vow to advance kosen-rufu in their communities.  The day commemorates the inaugurations of second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda in 1951 and Ikeda Sensei as third president in

Visiting my mother near the end of her life, I reveal the mother I want to be for my children.

Distilled from Ikeda Sensei’s encouragement, here are five reasons to practice gratitude.

by Cassie Colby  SGI-USA Byakuren Leader Congratulations to all of the newly inducted Byakuren Group members! Throughout April, joyful dialogues and interviews were conducted across SGI-USA, culminating on April 23, when we welcomed 277 young women and nonbinary members into the young women’s division training group. It has been amazing to hear many wonderful reports

But your faith alone will determine all these things. A sword is useless in the hands of a coward. The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous in faith. Then one will be as strong as a demon armed with an iron staff.  —“Reply to Kyo’o,” The Writings of Nichiren

Nichiren Daishonin envisioned a society of respect, equality and happiness enjoyed by all. This was a far cry from the feudal, class-based society of 13th-century Japan in which he lived. Yet he tirelessly worked to fulfill his vision based on the Lotus Sutra’s teaching that all people inherently and equally possess Buddhahood.  This tenacious pursuit

Quebec is the only North American city to preserve its colonial ramparts. The defensive walls, along with bastions and gates, still surround Upper Town. Samuel de Champlain, a French explorer, founded the city in the 17th century, and it served as the capital of New France until 1760 when it briefly came under British colonial

When the skies are clear, the ground is illuminated. Similarly, when one knows the Lotus Sutra, one understands the meaning of all worldly affairs. —“The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind,”The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 376 When the skies are clear, the ground is illuminated”—founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi cherished

The following essay was written by Ikeda Sensei as part of the series “The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin and the Mentor-Disciple Relationship.” It was originally published in the Nov. 13, 2009, World Tribune.  “Nichiren declares that the [shared] sufferings that all living beings undergo … all these are Nichiren’s own sufferings.” (“On Reprimanding Hachiman,” The

This month is National Poetry Month, an opportunity to celebrate poetry and the integral role of poets in our culture. Enjoy these beloved poetry books by Ikeda Sensei, who was named poet laureate by the World Academy of Arts and Culture in July 1981. Buy these titles at your local SGI-USA bookstore or online at