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by Mitch Bogen Special to the Tribune Responding to a surge of interest among young people over the last year relating to the need for self-love and self-care, the Aug. 13 Ikeda Center Dialogue Nights—called “A Conversation on Self-Love: What We Need Now”—embraced the topic as one worthy of investigation. The joyous response from the

Aliso Viejo, Calif.—Soka University of America (SUA) announced that its state-of-the art Marie and Pierre Curie Hall will be dedicated on Nov. 18, 2021. The recently constructed building will support the life sciences concentration, which officially opened last fall for undergraduate students interested in biology, biomedical research, biotechnology, public health and medicine (pre-med). The life

The combined junior high and senior high school will welcome students from around the world.

by Mitch Bogen Special to The Tribune On July 22, the Ikeda Center celebrated the launch of its new Indigo Talks lecture series. Named after the Buddhist expression “from the indigo, an even deeper blue,” the series features renowned intellectuals in dialogue with enduring works by Ikeda Center founder Daisaku Ikeda. The inaugural speaker was

Soka University of America hosted the second World Summit of Educators virtually June 13–14, 2021, held in three sessions with international attendees. Educators from around the world discussed global citizenship and how education can build a stronger world community. The conference featured speakers and panelists who discussed vital issues of equality, sustainability and peace. Wanjira

Ahead of July 3, the anniversary of second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda’s release from prison in 1945, Ikeda Sensei and his wife, Kaneko, visited the Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Tokyo on July 2, 2021. Sensei and Mrs. Ikeda conducted gongyo in honor of founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, who, undaunted by oppression from

by David Barol Correspondent TULSA, Okla., May 31, 2021—A century after one of the worst episodes of racial violence in American history, representatives of SGI-USA Oklahoma Region joined survivors, descendants and the greater Tulsa community in a dedication ceremony of a “Prayer Wall for Racial Healing.” The interfaith event, which drew members of U.S. Congress,

by Anri Tanabe Special to the Tribune CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 14, 2021—The Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue hosted its second virtual Dialogue Nights event, “Unpacking COVID-19: What We Learned, What We Lost, and What We Will Carry Forward.” This theme was inspired by Daisaku Ikeda’s 2021 Peace Proposal, “Value Creation in a Time

Reverend Lawson’s Keynote Address

Soka University of America Founder Daisaku Ikeda sent the following commencement message to the Class of 2021 (undergraduate and graduate programs). Visit www.soka.edu/virtual-commencement to view the ceremony, which was held virtually on May 28, 2021. To Soka University of America’s undergraduate Class of 2021 as well as to the graduate Class of 2021 of the

The City of Glen Cove, New York, proclaimed June 20, 2021, Poet Laureate Daisaku Ikeda Day in commemoration of his visit there 40 years ago, when he penned the iconic poem “To My Beloved Young American Friends—Youthful Bodhisattvas of the Earth.” Mayor Tim Tenke called the proclamation “a great honor” not only for the city

In a socially distanced, dignified and moving tribute on May 3, Soka Gakkai Day, the Northern California city of Oakland declared that the two-block stretch of Opal Street in front of the SGI-USA Oakland Buddhist Center be given a second name: “Daisaku Ikeda Way.” District 1 Councilmember Dan Kalb, who served as the keynote speaker

Soka University of America celebrates 20 years in Aliso Viejo, Calif.

Soka University of America was recently awarded a $1 million John Stauffer matching endowment, which will fund student summer research programs in chemistry and biochemistry. This comes on the heels of SUA’s new life sciences concentration and its state-of-the-art Marie and Pierre Curie Hall (pictured above).

SUA celebrates its 20th anniversary on May 3! Ikeda Sensei established its undergraduate program in 2001 in Aliso Viejo, California, based on the Buddhist principles of peace, human rights and the dignity of life. Stay tuned for special coverage of the anniversary in an upcoming World Tribune issue.

by Mitch Bogen Special to the Tribune The Ikeda Center’s newest book, Hope and Joy in Education: Engaging Daisaku Ikeda Across Curriculum and Context, launched in virtual but grand style on April 15. Nearly 300 attendees from 20 countries heard editors Isabel Nuñez and Jason Goulah offer thoughts on their motivations and hopes for this

The American Educational Research Association honors his efforts in peace building, human rights and education.

The nation paid tribute to SGI-USA member and civil rights icon Alvin Sykes, who passed away on March 19, 2021. He was 64. Mr. Sykes, a self-taught legal defender, was best known for launching the Emmett Till Justice Campaign in January 2003 with Emmett’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, just days before her death. The campaign sought

On April 1 in Tokyo, Ikeda Sensei and Mrs. Ikeda conducted gongyo at the Soka Gakkai Headquarters honoring the anniversary of second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda’s passing on April 2, 1958. They also commemorated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Soka University, praying for the university’s development and the happiness and victory of

SGI-USA member Tricia Elam Walker, of Maryland, won the 2021 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award for her children’s book Nana Akua Goes to School, which teaches that differences can be wonderful and celebrated. This is a national literary award that honors early career authors and illustrators for their achievements. Ms. Walker is a district women’s