CategoryQ&A

At an SGI-USA Many Treasures Group meeting held virtually on April 6, 2024, SGI-USA General Director Adin Strauss and Vice General Director Donna Snyder answered questions from members. Here are two questions and their responses. Q: Following Ikeda Sensei’s passing, what should we keep in mind when addressing disagreements in our SGI community based on

A: Kosen-rufu is the spread of the Mystic Law from one person to another. It is also its spread from ten thousand to fifty thousand. Yet, kosen-rufu is not about numbers. It is a process, an eternal flow. … Kosen means to widely declare. “Widely” implies speaking out to the world, to an ever-greater number

A: The word organization probably conjures certain images for some people, but the fact is, everything in this world involves some sort of organization. The human body itself is made up of more than sixty trillion cells, all working in concert. That’s an amazingly efficient organization. … It’s the same with human society, as well.

A: First, our practice of morning and evening gongyo is the foundation for advancing on the correct path of life—a path aligned with the Law that pervades the three existences of past, present and future—leading the most meaningful existence. Especially important, as the phrase “morning after morning we rise up with the Buddha” indicates, is

Our fundamental Buddhist practice consists of developing oneself while supporting others. Practicing for oneself indicates chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, studying Buddhism and participating in and supporting our SGI activities.  Practicing for others includes sharing Buddhism with those around us and supporting our fellow members.  SGI-USA members find great joy in extending their care, support and encouragement to

A: In life, of course, there are times when we are unable to win. There may also be times when it seems that we will be crushed by adversity. But even at such moments, we must never allow ourselves to be beaten in our hearts. We must resolve not to be defeated in the future.

What is the sangha? The Sanskrit word sangha refers to the Buddhist Order, or the community of Buddhist believers who uphold, practice and spread the Buddha’s teachings. This community of believers is the third of the three treasures in Buddhism: the treasure of the Buddha, the treasure of the Law (the Buddha’s teachings) and the

A: The literal meaning of honzon is object of devotion. Go is an honorific. Even people who declare that they are not religious will surely have something that they value or esteem most highly. Whatever people cherish most dearly—that is their object of fundamental respect, or object of devotion. …  What you make the object

Soka Gakkai Nichiren Buddhism places primary importance on “the heart” based on Nichiren Daishonin’s teaching that “it is the heart that is important” (“The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1000), while some other forms of Buddhism place primary importance on rules regarding ceremonies and formalities. With respect

This series answers popular questions asked by SGI members on the fundamentals of Buddhist practice. Q: Is it ok to do gongyo in the car? I have a hard time waking up early enough to chant before work. A: It’s truly praiseworthy to want to maintain a consistent practice. That being said, where and how

A: Relationship problems are opportunities for you to grow and mature. Such problems can be character building, if you don’t let them defeat you. That’s why it’s important not to isolate yourself. No one can exist apart from others. … Buddhism teaches that we should associate with good companions (see The Lotus Sutra and its

A: Your practice of reciting the sutra morning and evening and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is not an obligation—it is a right.The Gohonzon will never demand that you chant to it. An attitude of appreciation in being able to chant to the Gohonzon is the heart of faith. The more you exert yourselves in faith—in reciting the

A: When we study Buddhism, we find that Shakyamuni’s teachings begin with conquering the four sufferings of birth, aging, sickness and death. Rather than seeking to evade suffering, which is impossible, Shakyamuni pioneered the means to overcome it through practicing Buddhism. In life, we encounter many forms of hardship, but the four sufferings list what

A: It boils down to making a decision to do your best in everything and then having the determination not to retreat a single step. In severe circumstances, people tend to give up all too easily. They are convinced that the situation is hopeless before even considering what concrete actions they could take. In their

A: As we advance in age, our circumstances change. Our children move out, we no longer work and, if we live on our own, our time may be spent isolated from others. What’s more, measures taken to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have increased feelings of loneliness among people of all ages.  Gerontologist

A: This is a courageous question. Matters of financial security and faith are ones that Ikeda Sensei himself has given painstaking thought.  At the headquarters in May 1961, deeply pondering the future of kosen-rufu, Sensei’s thoughts turned to the question of funding. Numerous construction projects were underway and even more were on the horizon, all

In 1988, Ikeda Sensei founded the Many Treasures Group for Soka Gakkai members age 65 and older. The name signifies more than an age bracket.  In the “Emergence of the Treasure Tower” chapter of the Lotus Sutra, Many Treasures Buddha is seated beside Shakyamuni within the treasure tower. He lends credence to the truth of

When Buddhists say they’re “planting seeds,” they’re usually talking about teaching others about Nam-myoho- renge-kyo, the seed of Buddhahood. This essential component of our Buddhist practice is rooted in a profound respect for each person and the belief that all people are inherently endowed with the highest life state of Buddhahood. We talk about Buddhism

Q: I am a longtime SGI member—currently a district leader. I am nearing retirement and still feel very young. In terms of Buddhist practice, what is the best way to create a meaningful third stage of life? A: The first thing is to have a spirit of gratitude and a dedication to kosen-rufu for as

A: Every morning and evening, we recite these words during gongyo: “isshin yokken butsu” (“single-mindedly desiring to see the Buddha,” see The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, p. 271). This does not mean that we desire to physically see or be in the presence of the Buddha. Rather, it signifies the importance of revealing Buddhahood from