CategoryOn the Cover

One hundred and twenty-six miles south of Anchorage sits Kenai Fjords National Park—over 600,000 acres of wilderness, half of which is covered by ice. Despite these conditions, one can often find a variety of wildlife thriving in the park. Its crowning feature is the Harding Icefield, which has spawned at least 38 glaciers. —Prepared by

Channel Islands National Park stretches across 2,500 miles of the North American Pacific coast, encompassing five of the eight California Channel Islands. The park bridges two biogeographical provinces, resulting in high plant and animal diversity in a concentrated area. From microscopic plankton to the largest animal in the world, the blue whale, thousands of species

Located in the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas, the Guadalupe Mountains National Park covers 135 square miles and features the highest point in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, at 8,749 feet. The rugged mountain is an uplifted marine fossil reef from the Permian period that formed beneath the ocean some 250 million years ago. Millions of years of

The unique landscape of Pinnacles National Park was born of multiple volcanic eruptions roughly 23 million years ago. The force of earthquakes along with water and wind erosion over millennia created these rock formations. Today, many species of plants and animals make the rocks their home. The elevation of Pinnacles ranges from 824 feet along

Known by the Cherokee people as Shaconage, meaning “place of the blue smoke,” and frequently referred to today as “the Smokies,” Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park in the country. World-renowned for its biodiversity, the beauty of its ancient mountains and quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian culture, the park stretches

The Harvest Moon, said to be the most beautiful of the year, fell on Sept. 20, less than two days before the autumn equinox. At this time of year, the moon for several evenings rises soon after sunset, and this celestial event is celebrated the world over with moon viewings, family feasts, gift giving and

On March 1, 1872, U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act, making Yellowstone the world’s first federally protected park. Located in Wyoming and parts of Montana and Idaho, it features more than 10,000 hot springs, geysers and mudpots that are home to rare heat-loving microscopic organisms. The most well-known geyser,

“As long as the African people continue to struggle with daunting challenges, then as fellow human beings and global citizens we should share their sufferings.” —Ikeda Sensei In this month’s issue, we feature an interview with Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, co-president of the Club of Rome. Table Mountain in South Africa, home to Dr. Ramphele, graces

“The Soka Gakkai was not built by its mentors and then inherited by the disciples. From the beginning, it was the crystallization of the shared commitment of mentor and disciple. “When we dedicate ourselves to this way of mentor and disciple, the boundless strength of a noble and heroic victor will surge forth in our

“In a democracy, all individuals have to recognize that they are society’s protagonists—they play a leading role in society—and that as such they have a responsibility to fulfill.” —Ikeda Sensei In volume 20 of The New Human Revolution, which we are studying this month, Ikeda Sensei (who appears in the novel as Shin’ichi Yamamoto) visits Washington,

“By joyfully chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and sharing Buddhism with others, we connect our lives with that of the Buddha, function as the Buddha’s emissaries and live as Bodhisattvas of the Earth. In other words, through this practice of faith for the sake of self and others alike, the power of the Buddha wells up within us

“Kosen-rufu will definitely be achieved if even one young person is willing to dedicate their entire life to it.” —Second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda July is the month of youth for the Soka Gakkai—the month in which the young men’s and young women’s divisions were founded on July 11 and 19, 1951, respectively, and

“My dear future division members! My precious friends! You are destined to be the noble protagonists of our movement when the Soka Gakkai celebrates its glorious 100th anniversary in 2030.” —Ikeda Sensei For 60 years, Ikeda Sensei has ceaselessly encouraged the members of the future division, which includes the elementary school, and junior high and

“This moment and the place where you are right now is what matter. When committed disciples rise into action with a self-reliant spirit, the sure flame of Soka will burn and spread brightly from where they are, from that very moment.” —SGI President Ikeda May 3, Soka Gakkai Day, is considered a New Year’s Day

One person awakening to their Buddhahood can change the world—introducing the SGI-USA’s new, hope-filled focus. by Olivia Saito, Maya Gunaseharan and Ryo KurokiSGI-USA Youth Leaders This is a call to action from the youth of America. It is a cry from the depths of our beings to call forth and raise a new generation of

“When islands are happy, the world will be happy.” —SGI President Ikeda For many travelers, the islands of the Caribbean Sea represent the ultimate vacation destination, with their warm, tropical climate, diverse food, music and art, and customs influenced by African and European cultures. Scenic though they are, the Caribbean Islands have also been an

“I have no choice. I am a Buddhist. The social mission of a Buddhist practitioner is to work for world peace and the happiness of all people. Whatever happens, I must act with firm resolve! History will prove whether I am right.” —SGI President Ikeda Second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda often shared his belief

“The youth division is the fresh driving force for kosen-rufu in Japan and the world. In that sense, the youth members, running in the forefront of our movement, are the mentors, and the men’s and women’s division members, who are entrusting them with the future, are the disciples.” —SGI President Ikeda SGI President Ikeda once

“Irrespective of what other people do, you yourself will receive benefit and good fortune in direct proportion to your hard work and efforts for the sake of kosen-rufu.” —SGI President Ikeda Peru is a country of diverse landscapes ranging from the arid plains of the Pacific coast to the peaks of the Andes Mountains to

“The sweat of your efforts for kosen-rufu will become precious gems of good fortune, brilliantly dignifying your life forever. Please become the happiest person in Brazil!” —SGI President Ikeda Brazil, rich in culture and natural beauty, is South America’s largest country. It is also home to the Iguazu Falls, one of the largest waterfall systems