March 2020 Living Buddhism

Linda Giovino-AlburyMarsh Harbour, Bahamas Living Buddhism: Thank you, Linda, for sharing your experience with us. We understand you and the other members in the Bahamas were affected by Hurricane Dorian. We’re happy to hear you are all safe and well! Linda Giovino-Albury: It’s all thanks to the Gohonzon and this wonderful practice. Also, having lived

SGI President Ikeda writes about the Bahamas in his ongoing essay series “Unforgettable Encounters—Friends With Hearts Like the Sun,” which is being serialized in the Japanese publication Pumpkin. This essay was published in the October 2019 issue of the magazine. The hometown, the sea and the earth all hold the power to nurture life and

This monthly encouragement by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda was originally published in the February 2020 issue of the Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal. I am reminded once again of this declaration by my mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda: “We were born into this world to enjoy ourselves.” Amid the ongoing turmoil

Deeply committed to the education and development of children and youth, SGI President Ikeda, as the third Soka Gakkai president, established the high school division in June 1964, the junior high school division in January 1965, and the boys and girls division in September 1965—which together comprise the future division. The present generation of future

The Ikeda Wisdom Academy is an SGI-USA youth division movement to engage youth leaders in advanced study. This month, academy members will study chapter 9 of The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life: SGI President Ikeda’s Lecture Series. While the Ikeda Wisdom Academy is a youth leaders study program, all SGI-USA members are invited

by SGI Vice President Hiromasa Ikeda

Chapter Summary At the headquarters general meeting on May 3, 1969, Shin’ichi Yamamoto proposed the achievement of 7.5 million member-households by May 3 the following year. With preparations toward the opening of Soka University in 1971 proceeding smoothly, Shin’ichi announced three fundamental guidelines for the university, the first of which was, “Be the highest seat

Chapter Summary The year 1969 was a time when multitudes of people awakened to their mission to advance kosen-rufu. One such group was established on June 6: the White Birch Group, composed of young women’s division members working as nurses. The establishment of this group took place amid a nationwide nurses’ strike to improve working

Chapter Summary Toward the end of December 1969, Shin’ichi Yamamoto was scheduled to visit the Kansai region for a guidance tour. Prior to this trip, however, he was struck with acute bronchial pneumonia, causing him to suffer with a high fever and relentless bouts of coughing. On December 21, despite warnings from his doctor, he

Chapter Summary On May 3, 1970, a headquarters general meeting was held, marking Shin’ichi Yamamoto’s tenth anniversary as Soka Gakkai president. During the meeting, Shin’ichi explained that “Kosen-rufu is not a destination; it is the journey itself,” and defined it as “a great cultural movement unfolding in the realm of the Mystic Law” (The New

This installment, published in the December 18, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, focuses on passages from Nichiren Daishonin’s writings that SGI President Ikeda discusses in volume 14 of The New Human Revolution. Passage 1 “Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbor doubts in our hearts, we will

A: Developing courage can be compared to building muscles. If we constantly give in to our fears, our courage can fade and become dormant. However, while we may face difficulties each day that make us want to retreat—whether at work, in relationships or in trying to share Buddhism with our friends—no matter how big or

“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

Part 3: Kosen-rufu and World Peace—The Purpose of Buddhist Study

Nichiren has now read [and lived] the entirety of the Lotus Sutra. Even a single phrase or verse assures one’s enlightenment; since I have read the entire sutra, how much more certain is my enlightenment. I am more confident than ever. Though I may sound presumptuous, my most fervent wish is to realize the security

To My Friends of Each Division Engaged in Our Shared Struggle [50]