CategoryFrontline News

3 Reasons Why Buddhist Study Is Important

The SGI-USA introductory exam will be held on Oct. 29–30. Study is a vital aspect of our Buddhist practice. Preparing for and taking the introductory exam is an opportunity for members and guests to deepen their understanding of Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings through studying his writings, Ikeda Sensei’s commentaries, various Buddhist concepts, and the history Nichiren

This summer, the SGI-USA future division held its second annual National Elementary School Division Art Show and Poetry Exhibition. Themed “Courageously Advancing as Friends for Peace,” it featured the artwork of elementary school division (ESD) members and their friends, expressing their hopes and visions for a peaceful future. The exhibit is dedicated to Ikeda Sensei,

This October 7–8, the SGI-USA will hold online Introductory Exams, administered at SGI-USA centers across the country. Buddhism is a teaching for helping all people, especially those suffering the most. “Therefore,” Ikeda Sensei says, “[Buddhist] study needs to be rooted in daily life and serve as a guide for action. Study becomes a revitalizing force

Sixty-five years after second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda founded the student division on June 30, 1957, SGI-USA members gathered for the Student Division Conference, their first at the Florida Nature and Culture Center (FNCC) in over three years.  Inspired by Ikeda Sensei’s 2019 FNCC message to the student division, in which he called upon

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, Aug. 7—Members and guests entered the new SGI-USA San Juan Buddhist Center in amazement as pioneer members leaped with joy to welcome them home. In their first in-person SGI-USA activity in over two years, Puerto Rico Region hosted a hybrid kosen-rufu gongyo meeting at the new center. With 60 attendees joining

by SGI-USA Future Division and Parents Group Leaders On Aug. 14, 400 elementary school, junior high and high school division and parents group members gathered at reopened SGI-USA centers for the first in-person Soka Family Day meetings since 2020. Several hundred more joined virtually. It was a lively and joyful reunion for all—an opportunity to

SALT LAKE CITY, July 3—For three years, Joel Shelton waited for this day. He had, in late 2019, searched online for “Buddhism without meditation” amid a career crisis. What he found was the SGI-USA community in Salt Lake City, where he learned how to create change and find happiness within. Mr. Shelton was among the

The discussion meetings took shape as family affairs, as gatherings of comrades emerging from an unprecedented, shared hardship. Since the start of the pandemic, the first 11 in-person, hybrid discussion meetings were held July 17–19 at the Los Angeles Friendship Center and the Chicago and New York culture centers. Each meeting was outfitted with a

by Ryo Kuroki SGI-USA Young men’s Leader On July 10th, the young men’s division of the SGI-USA celebrated the 71st anniversary of our founding by holding commemorative meetings across the country. A total of 1,190 young men and nonbinary members and guests gathered, marking the first time this many youth came together in person since

by Maya Gunaseharan SGI-USA Young Women’s Leader To the most noble members of the SGI-USA,  On behalf of the young women, I’d like to express my deep appreciation to each of you for your support of our commemorative introductory meetings held on July 24 throughout the country! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

The Florida Nature and Culture Center (FNCC) is a conference facility gifted to the members of SGI-USA by Ikeda Sensei. Since its doors opened in 1996, the FNCC has become a special place for members to strengthen their faith, report victories to their mentor and create friendships and cherished memories. And after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus

by Kevin Moncrief SGI-USA Men’s Leader The men of the SGI-USA are determined to unite and foster the victory of the young men in establishing the peace of the land. Therefore, in July, we will fully support the young men’s division general meetings and introduction meetings by planting seeds and bringing at least one young

A high school World Tribune correspondent shares what the participants took away from the first future division conference in three years.

Tucson, Ariz., May 1—In a joyful ceremony, the resilience of the Southwest Zone members shone through with the long-awaited grand opening of the new Tucson Buddhist Center.  Due to COVID-19, the grand opening had been postponed twice, once in November 2021, and again in January 2022. But, each time, the members redetermined to patiently await

At the Central Executive Committee Conference, significant changes to reopening are approved.

by Maya Gunaseharan SGI-USA Young Women’s Leader I would first like to express my deepest appreciation to all SGI-USA members for their support of the young women toward the anniversary of our division’s founding on July 19. With no shortage of crises in society resulting from the disregard of human life, the difficulty of this

by Ryo Kuroki SGI-USA Young Men’s Leader In December 2019, Ikeda Sensei conveyed the significant role SGI members would play to transform our global society toward the Soka Gakkai’s centennial in 2030. Calling forth the need to transform great evil into great good, he said, “The 10-year period from the 90th to the 100th anniversaries

On June 5, 2022, SGI-USA’s West and Central territories livestreamed kosen-rufu gongyo meetings at the Los Angeles Friendship Center and Chicago Culture Center, respectively, where new territory leadership appointments were announced. Below are summaries of the new leaders’ determinations toward the Soka Gakkai’s centennial in 2030. James Herrmann West Territory Leader Two-and-a-half years have already

No national-level Juneteenth celebration will be held in June. In lieu of this, each territory (East, Central and West) may either hold Juneteenth events or Black history commemorative events between September and November to highlight milestones in the fight for equality and justice. For more information, please contact your territory People of African Descent Group