Authorjhsu

Shakyamuni Buddha who attained enlightenment countless kalpas ago, the Lotus Sutra that leads all people to Buddhahood, and we ordinary human beings are in no way different or separate from one another. To chant Myoho-renge-kyo with this realization is to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death. “The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of

The Ikeda Wisdom Academy, a study program for SGI-USA youth leaders, successfully concluded its fifth class in February 2023 with a study exam. For the past two years, the academy studied Ikeda Sensei’s lectures on some of Nichiren Daishonin’s essential writings in the first two volumes of The Teachings for Victory, including “Letter from Sado,”

On the northern island of Luzon, the living cultural landscape of the Ifugao Rice Terraces stretches across the face of the Philippine Cordillera mountains. For over 2,000 years, the Ifugao people have passed the terraces down from generation to generation, alongside intricate irrigation and farming systems and ritual practices that remain virtually unchanged—an enduring representation

The following is Ikeda Sensei’s message to “EMERGE,” the Southern California youth meeting commemorating 30 years since Sensei dedicated the poem “The Sun of Jiyu Over a New Land” to the members of  Los Angeles, held on Jan. 29, 2023, at the SGI-USA World Culture Center in Santa Monica, California.  To my most cherished members

Words of Encouragement From Ikeda Sensei

Words of Encouragement From Ikeda Sensei

“In these troubled times, we of the Soka Gakkai have a truly lofty and noble mission. Each one of us is an agent of change and a great builder of peace” (p. 40). Enjoy this inspiring sub-series from Ikeda Sensei’s ongoing lecture series “Buddhism of the Sun.” Buy your copy at SGI-USA bookstores or by

In Episode 98, Masamichi Nyunoya, of New York, tells the story of how his parents helped him start his Buddhist practice at a crucial crossroads in his life and how he has turned to it again and again on his journey toward the career of his dreams. Tune in to learn how he used Buddhism

February marks the launch of the third phase of the SGI-USA’s reopening. Hybrid discussion meetings held in person are now open to all members and guests—regardless of vaccination status. The requirement of eight fully vaccinated members and one fully vaccinated district leader has also been lifted. That means the requirements for all hybrid activities—which include

Facing my father’s illness, I learn how to hold my ground and triumph in faith.

Southern California youth gather to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Ikeda Sensei’s poem “The Sun of Jiyu Over a New Land.”

by Maya Gunaseharan and Shota Okajima SGI-USA Youth Leaders To the precious members of the SGI-USA, thank you for your unending support of the youth!  On March 16, we commemorate 65 years since second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda passed the baton of kosen-rufu to the youth. In 1958, amid their own struggles, the youth

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle? “Reply to Kyo’o,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 412 Sometimes illness may strike us, or some unexpected hardship may throw our lives into disarray. When those times come, let us be prepared, remembering Nichiren Daishonin’s declaration: “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

Establishing the teaching for unlocking the great human potential of all people.

La Grand-Place, in Brussels, Belgium, showcases the “architectural jewel” that blends styles of Western art and architecture. While the earliest written reference of the spectacular market square dates to the 12th century, the plaza was destroyed in 1695 by the troops of Louis XIV. Under the supervision of the city magistrate, a rebuilding campaign restored

Message de Mme Kaneko Ikeda pour les départements des femmes et des jeunes femmes Janvier 2023

1990年2月27日於創大洛杉礦分校 今天，各位代表從全美各地前來相聚，路途迢遙，我由衷說聲:真是辛苦大家! 我對各位婦人部員的心願抵有一個，就是「希望妳們比任何人更享幸福」! 人生的目的為何?那就是幸福。幸福有種種層次，決非一成不變的。而相對的幸福更有千百種。佛法的目的，在於成佛。以現代的說法而言，就是建立絕對的幸福–無論發生任何事都不會毀壞、不屈服、不崩塌，真實的幸福境界。 日蓮大聖人曾斷言: 「一切眾生唯唱南無妙法蓮華經，別無遊樂也。」(御書全集1143頁)—世人唯有唱誦「南無妙法蓮華經」，沒有其他的遊樂、幸福。 不論發生何事，是苦、是喜，都要徹底向御本尊唱題。抵要貫徹這種強盛的信心，以煩惱即菩提的法理，必可步上「所願滿足」的至高人生軌道。唯有確立這種可將一切不斷轉化為喜悅與滿足的大境界，才有真實的幸福，充滿無窮快樂的遊樂人生。 廣布的組織也是為了使各位、每一個人都能掌握絕對的幸福。是以各位的幸福 為目的，其他不外是一種方法而已。 社會或生活的大地，又是正法與信仰的大地。唯有以信心為根本，自始至終重視社會、重視生活、重視自己的家，才有廣宣流布的穩健進展.，「信心即生活」就是我們的永遠指標。 入生的目的在 求真實幸福 為了祝福今天的婦人部講習會，又滿懷感謝各位從全美各站專程趕來的心意，會後敬請各位一一瀏覽瀏覽創價大學典藏的一些至寶。 首先是美國歷任總統的書集，其中包括喬治．華盛頓（George Washington）及歷來總統的親筆函，連同他們的肖像一併陳列。 其次是拿破崙臨死前遺留的書簡集，還有訴求義大利信教自由的其他書信。 第三類是雨果（Victor Hugo）的《懲罰詩集》（Les Châtiments）初版本與書信，詩集裡有雨果親筆的題詞、簽名。 接下來，是湯因比博士（Arnold J. Toynbee）寫給前國務卿杜勒斯（John Foster Dulles）訴求巴基斯坦和平的信函、德國大音樂家華格納（Richard Wagner ） 描述《漂泊的荷蘭人》（Tannhäuser）那場演奏的書簡、美國獨立英雄約翰．漢考克（John Hancock）簽署的公文，以及著名人物巴托米奧．班塞廸（Bartolomeo Vanzetti）的書信。 尤其班塞廸的書信，是他遭不實之罪處死前，向法院要求重審而寫下的信長達十二頁，信中寫有「假如我被判死刑，法院無疑是犯下殺人罪。」等，充滿著訴求自由與釋放的「靈魂吶喊」。 這些至寶，說起來是貴重的「歷史遺產」。此外，又以SGI 推進和平、文化、教育運動的一環，將在法國創設雨果紀念館等，在各種層面致力於保存、介紹堪稱人類之寶的種種物品。特此報告這些活動將帶給未來一個深遠的意義。 我希望各位都要成為有教養、有品格的女性。具備知性與溫柔的女性才美麗，周圍的人也會寄予信賴、感到安心。而愈加深信心，愈將擴展知性世界臻於豐饒的，就是佛法。 領導人更是如此，若缺乏賢明與聰穎，勢必無法讓多數人信服，不能達成導入幸福的使命。因此，今天或許也有稍許艱深的話題，想透過「鏡子」談談的「信心」重要態度。 日本自古就認為「鏡子是女人的靈魂」，至今仍常說：「女人離不開鏡子，就像武士離不開刀一樣。」這點在任何國家都是大致雷同，顯然須臾片刻都是鏡不離手的女性也不乏其人。 「鏡子」在佛法上的確有許多意義，也用於許多譬喻。 大聖人也曾教示：「總之，於鏡有重重相傳。」(御書全集724頁)—總之，鏡子方面有重重的相傳。 在此針對我們的信心，作一簡潔概述。 佛法是映出生命的明鏡 御書裡這樣教示：「銅鏡雖能浮顯人形，猶不得浮顯心。法華經非惟浮現人形，亦浮顯心也。非惟浮顯心，更可照鑑先業、未來，無所遍形。」(御書全集1512頁) —銅鏡雖能照出人的模樣，卻照不出人心。法華經不僅可將人的姿態(色法)，連人心(心法)也照出來。不只是人心，連過去的業困、未來都一清二楚地照出來。 鏡子映出肉眼可見的容貌或姿態，佛法的鏡子卻連看不見的生命也映現出來。 鏡子是人應用反射法則等的「光」原理，設法使之能夠映出姿態的一項「智慧」成果。 御本尊則是佛根據「宇宙」與「生命」的法則，使人凝視「汝自身」的實相，而得以成佛的「智慧」究極。 正如要整肅儀容不可缺少鏡子般，要審視自己、審視人生，以使生活更幸福、美好，勢必需要「映出生命的鏡子」。 話說前述御文所提到的「銅鏡」之類，古代的鏡子是將青銅、白鋼、鐵等金屬磨製而成，大概還攙入錫之類製成。最古老的這種金屬鏡產在中國、埃及等，最古老的則為研磨石頭表面而成的石鏡，以及水鏡等等。總之，鏡子的歷史與人的歷史同樣古老。說是想瞧瞧自己的長相，或許就是人的本能吧! 這種古代鏡子與現在玻璃製的鏡子不同，只能照出模糊的影像。所以，初次看見玻璃鏡，人人莫不大驚失色。 日本首次接觸到玻璃鏡，是在1551 年，一般認為是方濟各． 沙勿略（ Francis Xavier）到日本傳教時帶來的。但是，直到十八世紀，才為日本一般民眾所知。大概因為照得太清晰，使人怔怔地望著這面鏡子的緣故，所以當時的人們把玻璃鏡叫做「自我陶醉鏡」。 日本的「浮世繪」也有描繪女性攬鏡自照的神情。直到十九世紀後半葉，玻璃鏡才告普及。 這裡是美國，尚請包涵，為了日本讀者而介紹一段在日本的歷史。至於美國，不用說，早在拓荒時期就有玻璃鏡了。 磨鏡的傳統

アメリカSGI婦人部研修会

“The door to a new age will not open as long as we wait for it to happen. We must open it ourselves, through our own dauntless and courageous actions.” —Ikeda Sensei TAMUNING, Guam—The long-awaited SGI Guam Ikeda Peace and Culture Center opened on Jan. 21, 2023, in a ceremony overflowing with resolve to send

On Jan. 20, 2023, the day before the grand opening of the SGI Guam Ikeda Peace and Culture Center, the Soka Gakkai delegation attended a series of public events congratulating the SGI on its new departure. At the Guam Congress Building in Hagåtña, the territory’s capital village, the Guam Legislature recognized the Soka Gakkai International