CategoryFrontline News

The July 14, 2023, and July 21, 2023, issues of the World Tribune highlighted the first 150 SGI-USA districts to welcome new youth in 2023. Here are the next 50. Central Territory Chicago Zone  Aurora District Gary-Hammond District Edgewater District Hollywood Beach District Midwest Zone NE University District Summit Hill District Rocky Mountain Zone South

This year’s student division conference at the Florida Nature and Culture Center will be joined by Dr. Ira Helfand, co-president of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, which received the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize. He is also on the steering committee of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), which received the

by Ai Nishino and Shu Matsuoka  SGI-USA future division young women’s and young men’s leaders Courageously Advance One Step Toward 2030”—this was the theme that the 12 members of the national junior high and high school core chose for the SGI-USA’s 2023 Junior High and High School Conference, held June 23–26, 2023, at Soka University

The July 14, 2023, issue of the World Tribune highlighted the first 100 districts to welcome new youth in 2023. Here are the next 50.  Central Territory Chicago Zone  Oshkosh District Mideast Zone Novi District Northwest Detroit District Rocky Mountain Zone Cherry Creek District Southwest Zone Ahwatukee East District Saguaro Park District Prescott-Victory District UA

Plus, the first 100 districts to welcome a youth into their Soka families.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated isolation and loneliness for people the world over, but the veterans of kosen-rufu and life—the SGI-USA Many Treasures Group members—knew what to do. Amid lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, they quickly organized Zoom meetings, doubled down on their daimoku and strengthened their efforts in member care.  On June 17, 2023, over 200

At the Central Executive Committee Conference, representative leaders reaffirm this year’s focus to introduce one youth in each district as the cause for building a peaceful future.

In July, the youth will hold divisional gatherings across the country to commemorate the founding of the young men’s division (July 11, 1951) and the young women’s division (July 19, 1951). The World Tribune spoke with SGI-USA Young Women’s Leader Amelia Gonzalez and SGI-USA Young Men’s Leader Shota Okajima about these gatherings and how every SGI-USA

WESTON, Fla.—Never mind the forecasted thunderstorm: The Women’s Division #1 Conference participants brought the sun to SGI-USA’s Florida Nature and Culture Center in what turned out to be a weekend of beautiful Florida weather. Over 170 women ages 34 to 45 gathered from June 2 to 5 for the conference themed “Each District, One Precious Youth!” 

Future division members on what they gain through participating in their districts.

To our wonderful SGI-USA members, As I was thinking how best to express tremendous gratitude to each contributor to the May Commemorative Contribution activity, I received a beautifully timed message from a wonderful kosen-rufu pioneer now living in the South, with whom I have had the privilege of practicing with in my hometown of New

by Ericka Jones, Selina Carroll, Ron Goode, Briana Boche and Will Moody SGI-USA Courageous Freedom Group Leaders At the inaugural LGBTQ+ conference held at the Florida Nature and Culture Center (FNCC) in 2001, Ikeda Sensei sent a message to the participants, saying: “Buddhism upholds equality and expounds supreme humanism. All human beings have equal rights.

These conferences at the Florida Nature and Culture Center are still open for registration. Sign up through your member portal at portal.sgi-usa.org. Jul 07–10 ESD #1 • ESD Ages 5–12 with Parents / Guardians Jul 14–17 ESD #2 • ESD Ages 5–12 with Parents / Guardians Jul 28–31 Student Division • Ages 18–25 Aug 04–07

Stories from the frontlines of our movement.

by Shota Okajima SGI-USA Young Men’s Division Leader In 2011, the SGI-USA Young Men’s Division established the Gajokai and Soka Group academies. The goal was to raise many capable young men as successors who would develop the spirit to seek their mentor by participating in these behind-the-scenes training groups. In 2019, to refresh its training

by Erica Kondo Assistant Chief Financial Officer On behalf of the SGI-USA, I want to express our appreciation for your sincere financial offerings to support the organization. Because of your amazing support, we have further expanded our kosen-rufu movement in the U.S., the Caribbean and Marianas Islands.  In 2022, members’ financial contributions accounted for over

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. 

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

ORLANDO, Fla., April 2, 2023—The members poured in from every part of Orlando—from Daytona Beach to Palm Bay to Kissimmee—filling the new Orlando Buddhist Center to capacity for its grand opening.  It was the region’s first in-person gathering in three years, and so the 295 members and guests entered their new center with an irrepressible