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Amanda Gorman, the first National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States, recited the following original piece, “Believer’s Hymn for the Republic,” at the 35th Annual Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which was co-sponsored by the SGI-USA at the World Peace Ikeda Auditorium on Jan. 20, 2020, in Santa Monica, Calif. 12 score

The Town of Greenwich, Connecticut, celebrated the 46th anniversary of the SGI’s founding with a proclamation declaring Jan. 26, 2021, Founding Day of the Soka Gakkai International in Greenwich. The citation praises the efforts of SGI members worldwide who strive each day “for the genuine happiness and true prosperity of their respective countries and local

KTLA 5 News reporter Gene Kang captured the hearts of viewers throughout Los Angeles during his morning news segment on Feb. 7. Mr. Kang, who is also an SGI-USA men’s region leader, was covering the topic of domestic violence and went on to share his own experience of how he used his Buddhist practice to

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Jan. 22—Is it possible to melt the icy walls of distrust between people? “Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.—A Conversation” was a timely and important event that reinforced Dr. King’s bold vision of human harmony and the steps we must take to achieve it. Held in commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day,

by Mitch Bogen Correspondent Cambridge, Mass.—The first “virtual” Ikeda Forum for Intercultural Dialogue demonstrated the very concept it explored: value creation. With an in-person gathering not possible, the Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue took the Dec. 10 event online—the positive result being that more than 300 global citizens from 27 countries were able

The following report was adapted from sokaglobal.org. In his 39th annual peace proposal, SGI President Ikeda calls for increased global cooperation on the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis and the elimination of nuclear weapons. TOKYO, Jan. 26—SGI President Ikeda released his 39th annual peace proposal, “Value Creation in a Time of Crisis,” marking the anniversary

The new dawn blooms as we free it For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it If only we’re brave enough to be it. Amanda Gorman, the first National Youth Poet Laureate, closed her poem “The Hill We Climb” with these words on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20. On this same

The Jan. 21 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, reported that SGI President Ikeda sent a congratulatory message to Joseph Biden, who was inaugurated on Jan. 20 as the 46th president of the United States. In his message, President Ikeda noted that the Japanese people will never forget how, 10 years

Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, California, began serving as a mass COVID-19 vaccination site on Jan. 23. The campus became Orange County’s second Super Point of Dispensing location, following Disneyland. Orange County residents must register at othena.com and confirm an appointment time for the SUA site. On May 3, 2001, SUA opened its

A U.N. treaty banning nuclear weapons is now international law. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) went into effect on Jan. 22 for the more than 50 member states that had ratified it. Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada issued a statement, on behalf of SGI members worldwide, welcoming this unprecedented milestone. Nuclear

On New Year’s Day, the city of Montgomery saluted Ikeda Sensei’s 93rd birthday (Jan. 2 Japan time) declaring him an honorary citizen of Alabama’s capital. The proclamation, issued by Mayor Steven L. Reed, states that for over 70 years, Sensei has “continuously advanced a movement for peace and social justice through non-violent social change” while

Don’t miss out on this great book-bundle deal for The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, parts 1–3, at bookstore.sgi-usa.org for $10! Gleaned from more than 50 years of Ikeda Sensei’s works, this series provides an endless source of hope and courage. They cover the topics of happiness, human revolution, kosen-rufu and world peace. Save

The Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue in Cambridge, Massachusetts, introduces its new executive director, Kevin Maher. He succeeds Virginia Benson, who has served as the executive director for 19 of the center’s 27 years and will become the senior executive advisor. Mr. Maher has worked at the institute since 2002 and resides just

JANUARY 1 WORLD TRIBUNE Advancing Wisely, Harmoniously and Joyfully! In his New Year’s message, Ikeda Sensei calls on SGI members to focus on three key points based on strong prayer and unity: 1. “Advance together wisely, harmoniously and joyfully, accumulating ‘treasures of the heart!’” 2. “Advance, calling forth new capable Bodhisattvas of the Earth and

To our precious readers: Our sincerest gratitude to you for subscribing to, studying and sharing the SGI-USA publications! With this month’s issue, Living Buddhism introduces an updated look, including a new logo, fonts and a change of pace to the magazine designed to make it more readable and inspiring for members and guests. We remain

Hiroshima Atomic bomb survivor Setsuko Thurlow cried tears of joy when she learned that, on Oct. 24, the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons had reached the 50th member state required for its entry into force. The treaty, the first international instrument to comprehensively ban nuclear weapons, will have legal force and effect

This holiday season, get great deals on essential book bundles from bookstore.sgi-usa.org. Enhance your Buddhist practice or gift a friend. Offer lasts until Dec. 31, 2020. Don’t miss out! The New Human Revolution, vols. 1–3 $36.00 $29.95 The first three of the 30-volume series, which chronicles the history of the worldwide spread of Nichiren Buddhism.

10/8 Tokyo Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada met with Ambassador of Russia to Japan Mikhail Galuzin at the Embassy of the Russian Federation to Japan. The ambassador, who was an exchange student at Soka University in Japan from 1982–83, expressed his gratitude to Ikeda Sensei for his contributions to Japan-Russia relations. 10/11 Tokyo Beatrice Fihn—the

On Oct. 2, the 60th anniversary of Ikeda Sensei’s first visit to America, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, Neighborhood Associations and local SGI-USA members dedicated the Cherry Tree Peace Grove at Loring Park. The peace grove honors the three founding Soka Gakkai presidents, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda. In March, Minneapolis Mayor

by Mitch Bogen Special to the World Tribune Cambridge, Mass.—Undaunted by the ongoing restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue held its fourth virtual dialogue event of the year on Sept. 24. Nearly 180 participants from 19 countries joined the Zoom gathering, themed “Climate Hope: Awareness into Action!” The