TagFounding Spirit

In June 1928, at the age of 57, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, a forward-thinking educator, took faith in Nichiren Buddhism with a friend’s urging. Writing of this decision, he said, “With an indescribable joy, I completely changed the way I had lived for almost 60 years.” With this inner awakening, he set out to realize “a bold

In this scene from The Human Revolution, Josei Toda speaks at the first memorial service for founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, reflecting on his mentor’s towering spirit and his own determination to carry out kosen-rufu on his behalf. “The Bodhisattvas of the Earth exist nowhere but here; we are, in fact, the Bodhisattvas of

Motivated by his unwavering compassion and commitment to eradicate suffering, Nichiren establishes the teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Recounting Ikeda Sensei’s contributions to global peace, Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada calls on us to carry on our mentor’s work.

A far-reaching vision for world peace.

Taking the “Next Great Step Forward” with our mentor’s guidance.

On why we celebrate our starting point each November in our districts.

In the years following World War II, Josei Toda’s office in the Nishi-Kanda neighborhood of Tokyo functioned as the Soka Gakkai Headquarters after business hours. Whenrebuilding the Soka Gakkai, he was asked whether he would purchase a headquarters building, to which he replied: “We don’t need a building. That’s just an outward form. Wherever I

Marking the 30th anniversary of Ikeda Sensei’s September 1993 Harvard lecture, “Mahayana Buddhism and Twenty-First-Century Civilization.”

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

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.

Lecture on “The Quintessence of Thought and Philosophy”‘ On August 31, 1962, just over two years since becoming Soka Gakkai president, Ikeda Sensei began a five-year series of lectures to student division members on The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, a text he referred to as “the quintessence of thought and philosophy” (The New

In fall 1969, the British historian Arnold J. Toynbee sent an invitation to Soka Gakkai President Daisaku Ikeda, to meet in person and discuss religion and world affairs. Arnold Toynbee had developed an interest in Buddhist philosophy toward the end of his life; and on his third trip to Japan, in 1967, through discussions with

“Winter always turns to spring.” “The wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat.” “Prayers offered by a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra will be answered just as an echo answers a sound.” “Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbor doubts in our hearts, we will as a

This year marks the 64th anniversary of March 16, 1958, when second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda passed the baton of achieving kosen-rufu to the youth. At his inauguration as Soka Gakkai president on May 3, 1951, Mr. Toda vowed to take the organization’s membership from 3,000 to 750,000 households. Many assumed that he meant

In early 1952, the Soka Gakkai was still a fledgling people’s movement when second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda dispatched his young disciple Daisaku Ikeda, to Kamata Chapter to create a model for widely sharing the humanistic ideals of Nichiren Buddhism in a society still reeling from war. That February, the young Daisaku led the

After second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda’s passing on April 2, 1958, Ikeda Sensei (then Soka Gakkai chief of staff) not only grappled with the loss of his beloved mentor but also deeply considered how to carry on his mentor’s work of advancing kosen-rufu. He recalled Mr. Toda saying: “The Gakkai should advance a major

40th Anniversary

Nov. 14, 2021, marks 40 years since the completion of the “Song of Crimson.” After the first priesthood issue, the young men’s division members of Shikoku created the song together with Ikeda Sensei as an expression of their determination to secure the future of kosen-rufu together with their mentor. Let’s revisit the spirit behind “Song

Commemorating 150 Years Since Founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi's Birth