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Soka Heritage Hall, which chronicles the history of Soka University of America (SUA) and the heritage and founders of Soka education, opened on campus this October. “Visitors to the hall will embark on a journey of SUA’s heritage and the vision of the founders of Soka education, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda,” SUA

Buddhist encounters lead to New York and the realization that I hold the key to the Buddha land.

Not all prayers are answered right away. And while we may find ourselves momentarily discouraged, Ikeda Sensei reminds us in part 1 of this feature (see Nov. 18, 2022, World Tribune, pp. 6–7) that as long as we persevere, our prayers will be answered in a form greater than we expected. He also tells us

by Enoa Reid Aiea, Hawaii There are times when you have to speak up. You have to stand up for yourself, for what’s right; but it can feel like hell. That’s how it was for me. I’m a chill dude, and I keep to myself. So, when it was time for me to speak up

Next year, 2023, will mark the 10th anniversary of the completion of the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu. Upon its completion, Ikeda Sensei penned the following poem:  Mentor and disciples have created this triumphant citadel of the great vow. (Dec. 6, 2013, World Tribune, p. 5) Keeping this milestone in mind, the Soka

A passage in the Six Paramitas Sutra says to become the master of your mind rather than let your mind master you.  “Letter to the Brothers,”The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 502 The Ikegami brothers, Munenaka and Munenaga, received this letter from Nichiren Daishonin in 1276 at a critical juncture in their lives. 

The following is based on Ikeda Sensei’s 1996 lecture at Teachers College, Columbia University, titled “Thoughts on Education for Global Citizenship” and his 2013 peace proposal. Sensei outlines the essential elements of global citizenship and guidelines for constructing a civilization founded upon respect for the dignity of life. 1) Wisdom • To perceive the interconnectedness

Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, part of a World Heritage Site, covers 3.3 million acres of glaciers, snow-capped mountains and emerald green forests. It is home to more than 50 named glaciers and a wide variety of wildlife, including brown and black bears, mountain goats, moose, whales, seals and more than 200 species of

Just an hour drive from Las Vegas lies the Valley of Fire State Park in Overton, Nevada, a world-renowned geologic wonderland. When the sun sets each evening, over 40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone glow in the warm light, making the entire valley look like it was set on fire. In 1935, the area

The following essay by Ikeda Sensei was originally published in the Oct. 26, 2022, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun. Our movement for kosen-rufu is about building a culture of peace. As part of that endeavor, we hold a wide range of exhibitions around the world. Twenty years have passed since the

In episode 89, Dave Drake, of New York, shares his journey with seeking the approval of others, both in his personal life and as a musician. This episode is filled with practical insights about how to apply the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to transform the desire for approval into a life state of humility, appreciation,

Ninety-two years ago, on Nov. 18, 1930, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, first president of the Soka Gakkai, and his disciple, Josei Toda, published the first volume of The System of Value-Creating Education (Jpn Soka kyoikugaku taikei ). This date came to be known as the founding day of the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai—the Society for Value-Creating Education. Informed

Trading perfection for resilience, I become a person of strength.

Nichiren Daishonin asserts: Though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one might bind up the sky, though the tides might cease to ebb and flow and the sun rise in the west, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered. So

SGI-USA member Francisco Estrada-Belli, of New Orleans, is a research professor in the Middle American Research Institute at Tulane University. He is known for his expertise in Maya archaeology, remote sensing, geographic information systems and spatial analysis using digital technologies such as LiDAR (light detection and ranging). He is a National Geographic Explorer and has

If in a single moment of life we exhaust the pains and trials of millions of kalpas, then instant after instant there will arise in us the three Buddha bodies with which we are eternally endowed. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is just such a “diligent” practice. The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, p. 214 Nichiren Daishonin dedicated

by Ray Gutoski Tampa, Fla. I encountered Nichiren Buddhism in 1967 in New York, on the lawn of Stony Brook University’s Earth and Science building, where students were holding an introductory meeting. I’d thought it was interesting, potentially quite meaningful, but I didn’t take it seriously until later that same year, when out of the

A Buddhist parable describes a one-eyed turtle who lives at the bottom of the sea. He has neither limbs nor flippers, his belly is as hot as heated iron, and his back is as cold as the Snow Mountains. He yearns day and night to cool his belly and warm his back. The sacred red

Adapted from Ikeda Sensei’s guidance in The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 282–85 1) Buddhist study helps us deepen our faith Buddhist study is a beacon illuminating the path of faith. Even the complex workings of negative forces that arise to assail us are clearly revealed for what they

Want to learn more about Buddhist concepts? “Tips & Insights” is a Buddhability podcast miniseries that will introduce one Buddhist concept a month and how it can be applied to your life.  Listen to this month’s episode on earthly desires are enlightenment. Click here to listen.