CategoryOur History

In 1947, Daisaku Ikeda was 19. He was seeking answers to life amid the chaos of postwar Japan, reading books on literature and philosophy. On Aug. 14, 1947, he attended a Soka Gakkai discussion meeting in search of a philosophy that could give him genuine purpose. There, Josei Toda, the man who would become his

8/1 45th Anniversary of the Song ‘Runners for Justice’ In the Aug. 1, 1978, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun, Ikeda Sensei presented the high school division a song he composed called “Runners for Justice.” It was revised in 2010 and now serves as the future division song.  8/6 Sensei Begins and

Installment 8: Eleven Letters of Remonstrance

7/3 Mentor and Disciple Day In 1945, Josei Toda, then-Soka Gakkai general director, was released from prison after being incarcerated for two years for refusing to forsake his faith, violating the wartime Peace Preservation Law. On the same day in 1957, a young Daisaku Ikeda, then-youth division chief of staff, was arrested by the Osaka

Installment 7: The Komatsubara Persecution

November 1941—Founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi is met by several officers of Japan’s special higher police at the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai’s Kyushu General Meeting. One blocks his path, shouting: “Isn’t it strange how the nation is praying to the Sun Goddess and you won’t even accept the talisman? You’re no patriot!” Composed, Mr. Makiguchi

6/4 SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai Day In 2009, Ikeda Sensei and his wife, Kaneko, visited the Soka Young Women’s Center in Shinanomachi, Tokyo, for the first time and presented five eternal guidelines for the young women’s division. To commemorate this day, June 4 is celebrated as SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai Day. 6/6 Tsunesaburo Makiguchi’s Birthday In 1871,

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi greeted his students at the school gates every morning, come rain or shine. He considered all aspects of their well-being. Were they cold? Had they eaten a proper meal? He prepared lunch for students who would otherwise go without, discreetly placing the meals in the janitor’s room so the students wouldn’t feel ashamed.

Installment 6: The Izu Exile

5/3 Soka Gakkai Day In 1951, Josei Toda was inaugurated as second Soka Gakkai president and declared his lifetime membership goal of 750,000 households. On May 3, 1960, 32-year-old Daisaku Ikeda was inaugurated as third Soka Gakkai president, vowing to advance kosen-rufu on his mentor’s behalf.  (See The Human Revolution, “Blazing Sun” chapter and “New

May 3 is the New Year’s Day of the Soka Gakkai, a day when members in 192 countries and territories take a fresh step forward rooted in their vow to advance kosen-rufu in their communities.  The day commemorates the inaugurations of second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda in 1951 and Ikeda Sensei as third president in

Installment 5: Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land—Part 2

4/2 Josei Toda’s Passing  In 1958, after fulfilling every one of his vows for kosen-rufu, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda’s noble life came to a close. He was 58. Standing alone amid the ruins of postwar Japan and carrying on the final injunction of founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Mr. Toda rebuilt the

Installment 4: Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land—Part 1

3/5 Founding of the Men’s Division  In 1966, 750 representative Soka Gakkai members gathered with Ikeda Sensei at the Soka Gakkai headquarters in Tokyo to mark  the establishment of the men’s division. Sensei expressed his expectations of the men: “Become golden pillars supporting the citadel of Soka. … If the men’s division develops remarkably and

Installment 3: Declaration of the Establishment of Nichiren’s Teaching

Establishing the teaching for unlocking the great human potential of all people.

Feb The February Campaign  In February 1952, as the Kamata Chapter advisor, 24-year-old Daisaku Ikeda led the chapter in achieving the unprecedented monthly propagation result of 201 new households. To adorn second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda’s birth month with a significant milestone in propagation, he focused on each unit, the front line of the

Installment 2: Seeking Spirit

On Jan. 26, 1975, the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) was established on the Pacific island of Guam—the site of fierce fighting between American and Japanese military forces—and of countless civilian deaths—during World War II. It was then-Soka Gakkai President Daisaku Ikeda’s vision to make Guam the symbolic starting point for this international movement to actualize