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2019 Year In Review

JANUARY 1 WORLD TRIBUNE

The Year of Victory for Each SGI-USA Member!

The SGI-USA announced several key objectives for 2019, the Year of Soka Victory—Toward Our 90th Anniversary:

1. Engage in an unprecedented number of home visits and personal guidance sessions.
2. Hold youth discussion meetings by chapter in July and gather 25,000 youth nationwide.
3. Actively promote discussion meeting attendance each month, culminating in vibrant and victorious discussion meetings nationwide in November.
4. Study The New Human Revolution study guide, found in the Living Buddhism, at district study meetings.

JANUARY 11 WORLD TRIBUNE

Brightly Illuminate the World With the Light of Human Revolution

In his New Year’s message, SGI President Ikeda reminds SGI members that “When we align our lives with the Mystic Law, there is absolutely no difficulty or obstacle that we cannot overcome. With this great conviction, let’s continue to chant, challenge ourselves and press forward victoriously.”

Soka Victory Districts

The SGI-USA announced the 2019 benchmarks for Soka Victory Districts:

• 20 members and guests attend discussion meetings at least two times during the year.
• 20 subscribers to the SGI-USA publications.
• 2 people receive the Gohonzon and start practicing Nichiren Buddhism.
• 7 sustaining financial contributors.

FEBRUARY 1 WORLD TRIBUNE

Carol and her co-leader, Awni Bansal express their determination to create a Soka Victory District filled with joy. Photo by Chucke Gomez

Let’s Speak Heart to Heart

With “home visits” and “personal encouragement” as the bywords for the SGI-USA in 2019, the World Tribune debuted “Home Visit Revolution,” a new series featuring SGI-USA leaders who discuss their personal experiences of being home visited, home visiting others and the lessons they’ve learned.

Lawrence Edward Carter Sr. signs copies of his award-winning book, A Baptist Preacher’s Buddhist Teacher, at the SGI-USA Chicago Culture Center, Jan. 26. Photo by Bob Nardi.

A Baptist Preacher’s Buddhist Teacher Is a Winner

Middleway Press’ A Baptist Preacher’s Buddhist Teacher, authored by Dr. Lawrence E. Carter Sr., was named the 2019 winner of the Illumination Book Awards in the “Biography/Memoir” category. The awards are designed to honor and bring increased recognition to the year’s best new titles “written and published with a Christian worldview.”

Dr. Carter is the founding dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College. In the book, he discusses how his interfaith journey with SGI President Ikeda made him a better Christian.

FEBRUARY 8 WORLD TRIBUNE

Participants take the SGI-USA Introductory Exam at the North Carolina Buddhist Center, Raleigh, N.C., March 31. Photo by Eve Aihara.

A New Generation of Youth Based on a Vow

On Jan. 27, over 1,600 district through national youth leaders participated in the Ikeda Wisdom Academy Exam III, completing the second class of the advanced youth study program. The exam was based on President Ikeda’s lecture series on “The Opening of the Eyes,” one of the essential writings by Nichiren Daishonin centered on his vow for kosen-rufu.

FEBRUARY 15 WORLD TRIBUNE

President Ikeda gifts a Chihuly glass sculpture to the youth of America as a symbol of the “shared triumph of mentor and disciple.”

A Gift to the 50,000 Lions of Justice

Celebrating the SGI-USA’s great achievement of gathering 50,000 Lions of Justice on Sept. 23, 2018, SGI President Ikeda gifted a stunning eight-piece Chihuly glass sculpture to the youth of America. He asked that it be displayed as a symbol of the “shared triumph of mentor and disciple.” The unveiling ceremony took place on Feb. 2 at the SGI-USA Florida Nature and Culture Center in Weston, Florida.

Everything Begins With Prayer

SGI Honorary Women’s Leader Kaneko Ikeda sent a message to the women and young women of the SGI to commemorate Women’s Month. Mrs. Ikeda recalls in the message that in giving guidance to women, SGI President Ikeda has often said: “Practitioners of the Lotus Sutra must have the strength to transform everything, even the most painful challenges, into a source of happiness and joy. Nichiren Buddhism enables us to do this.”

APRIL 5 WORLD TRIBUNE

Photo by Becca Henry.

“Home Visit Week” Established

In its first quarterly conference of the year on March 9, the Central Executive Committee—a body composed of national and territory leaders charged with setting the activity focus for the organization—announced the establishment of “Home Visit Week” to support the development and victory of each member.

APRIL 12 WORLD TRIBUNE

SGI-USA Youth Leader Olivia Saito conducts a seminar, titled “Buddhist Solutions for Real Life: When We Change, the World Changes.” Photo by Allen Zaki.

“When We Change, the World Changes”

Celebrating the 45th anniversary of SGI President Ikeda’s first overseas university lecture at the University of California, Los Angeles, on April 1, the student campus club “SGI at UCLA” hosted the seminar “Buddhist Solutions for Real Life: When We Change, the World Changes.” Guests who attended the event on the UCLA campus learned about such Buddhist concepts as self-mastery, human revolution and unconditional happiness.

APRIL 19 WORLD TRIBUNE

Members celebrate the grand opening of the SGI-USA Northern Virginia Buddhist Center, Chantilly, Va., April 7. Financial contributions to the SGI-USA help underwrite the opening of local centers across the nation. Photo by KEN TAKEMOTO.

A Fresh Start for Northern Virginia

Members celebrated the grand opening of the SGI-USA Northern Virginia Buddhist Center on April 7 in Chantilly, Virginia. Chantilly is located in the heart of the region’s technological industry at the crossroads of major and historic highways in western Fairfax County, which is home to over 1 million residents. The center is just a few miles from the Washington Dulles International Airport.

MAY 3 WORLD TRIBUNE

Members and guests of Connecticut Region celebrate the grand opening of the SGI-USA New Haven Buddhist Center, New Haven, Conn., April 7. Photo by INES LEONG.
Connecticut’s New Castle of Kosen-rufu

Connecticut Region members gathered on April 7 to celebrate the opening of a new SGI-USA Buddhist center in downtown New Haven, Connecticut. Located just two blocks from the New Haven Green, a National Historic Landmark, and the campus of Yale University, the SGI-USA Connecticut Buddhist Center lies within the Nine Square Plan of the original settlement of the New Haven Colony, founded in 1638.

MAY 17 WORLD TRIBUNE

ANJELICA JARDIE

Brooklyn Members Rejoice at Their Center’s Opening!

On May 4–5, members celebrated the soft opening of the SGI-USA Brooklyn Buddhist Center in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. Located just blocks from the Atlantic Terminal transportation hub in the center of the borough, the neighborhood is known for its blend of old and new.

JUNE 7 WORLD TRIBUNE

SGI-USA Launches New Podcast!

On May 31, SGI-USA launched its podcast series, “Buddhist Solutions for Life’s Problems.” The inaugural episode, titled “You’re Pushing My Buttons,” covers how Buddhism enables us to transform difficult human relationships. Episodes are downloadable at major podcast platforms, such as Apple Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

Clarion Call

Two calligraphic works by SGI President Ikeda were unveiled at the May 3 Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting. They read: “Establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land” (left) and “Good fortune and security.” Although President Ikeda had penned these works in June 1982 while in Hokkaido, Japan, this was the first time that he introduced them.

JUNE 14 WORLD TRIBUNE

Leymah Gbowee, who played a pivotal role in ending Liberia’s protracted civil war, says: “Everyone has a role to play in changing the tide in our world. It has nothing to do with your academic background or your social status. It has to do with your tenacity, your strength and your willpower to want to make change.” Photo by DEBRA WILLIAMS.

“What We Share Is Greater Than What Divides Us”

The World Tribune sat down with Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee to discuss her journey as a peace builder. Ms. Gbowee is best known for leading a nonviolent movement that united Christian and Muslim women, playing a pivotal role in ending Liberia’s 14-year civil war in 2003. Their efforts subsequently opened the path for Africa’s first-elected female head of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, with whom Ms. Gbowee was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.

MITSU KIMURA

“By the Choices That You Make, Let’s Transform Our World”

Soka University of America’s Class of 2019 graduates on May 24. Leymah Gbowee, the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, served as the keynote speaker.

JULY 19 WORLD TRIBUNE

Debra Williams

Future Division Is “A Light of Hope”

The first U.S.-Brazil future division exchange was held during the SGI-USA Junior High and High School Conference in June. The four-day conference was held at Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, California.

Dr. Sarah Wider, Stefanie Horton, Emerson Dudley and Dr. Betty Reardon participate in a panel discussion at the first Culture of Peace event for women at the SGI-USA New York Culture Center, June 28. PHOTOS BY KAZUE UZAWA.

“Creators of Peace”

Some 400 people gathered on June 28 at the SGI-USA New York Culture Center for “A Gathering of Women: Creators of Peace,” the first Culture of Peace event dedicated to women. Panel speakers included Sarah Wider, a professor of English and women’s studies at Colgate University, and a founding member and former president of the Emerson Society (left); and Betty Reardon, founder of the field of peace education who has lived and advanced the cause of peace through every war since the Great Depression (right).

AUGUST 2 WORLD TRIBUNE

Shoreline, Wash. Every one of us has a unique mission to persevere no matter the challenges, transform our lives and reveal our Buddhahood, thereby opening the way for all those around us to do the same. Photo by Stephanie Araiza.

“Connecting Beyond the Screen”

The SGI-USA confirmed over 26,000 youth to take part in the historic July Youth Discussion Meetings, themed “Connecting Beyond the Screen: Overcoming Barriers Through Friendship.” These gatherings were held across the country July 13–21 in over 560 locations, including Guam and the Caribbean Islands. At each location, the hallmark was the small discussion groups, an opportunity to address the lack of connectedness and the loneliness young people in society feel today.

SGI President Ikeda sent a message, saying: “My mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, once said, ‘Youth are the “great ship” of the people.’ Amid the raging waves of these times, the responsibility of youth must always be to fearlessly grip the rudder of this great ship, and steer it in the direction that will protect all people and guide them to peace and happiness.”

Daisaku Ikeda photo of Makiguchi Memorial Hall Hachioji, Japan
taken July 3, 2019 the day of Mentor and Disciple

SGI President and Mrs. Ikeda Celebrate July 3

To commemorate July 3, Mentor and Disciple Day, a day of justice in the history of the Soka Gakkai, SGI President and Mrs. Ikeda visited the Tokyo Makiguchi Memorial Hall and performed a solemn gongyo filled with determination.

After their visit to Makiguchi Memorial Hall, they went to the Soka University campus in Tokyo, sharing their great hopes for the growth of the Soka University students, Soka Women’s College students and those from abroad studying at the institution.

AUGUST 9 WORLD TRIBUNE

“Long Live SGI-Bahamas!”

An SGI-USA activity report on the formation of Bahamas District. In 1996, SGI President Ikeda’s flight to Cuba stopped in Nassau. While there, he presented the members with the message: “Here, too, the SGI exists. Long live SGI-Bahamas!” This remains the members’ prime point with their mentor.

AUGUST 16 WORLD TRIBUNE

Collage created using FigrCollage software from www.FigrCollage.com

Voice of Courage and Hope

The World Tribune celebrated its 55th anniversary with an overview of its establishment on Aug. 15, 1964, and significant milestones, as well as guidance from SGI President Ikeda.

SEPTEMBER 20 WORLD TRIBUNE

LAURENT LORENZO SCHIRATTI

Advancing in “The Two Ways of Practice and Study”

Commemorating the month, 72 years ago, when SGI President Ikeda joined the Soka Gakkai (on Aug. 24, 1947), the SGI-USA welcomed 1,531 new bodhisattvas, who received the Gohonzon. Upon hearing the reports of SGI-USA members helping many of their friends become happy through sharing this Buddhism, President Ikeda sent a message expressing how happy he was that everyone was fighting so hard for kosen-rufu. The SGI-USA announced that its next focus was to help each of these new members enshrine the Gohonzon and take part in the Introductory Exam in September.

OCTOBER 4 WORLD TRIBUNE

Aerial view of Soka University of America, Aliso Viejo, Calif. Daisaku Ikeda founded SUA on May 3, 2001, to foster “global citizens committed to living a contributive life.” Today, the school ranks among the top 25 liberal arts colleges in the nation, according to the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Colleges 2019.” Visit www.soka.edu. Photo by MITSU KIMURA.

“Treasure Castle” Opens in Ohio Region

Soka University of America (SUA) was ranked No. 27 in National Liberal Arts Colleges by the 2020 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings. The university also placed No. 7 in Best Value Schools and No. 9 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (enrolling and graduating large proportions of economically disadvantaged students awarded with federal grants).

Daisaku Ikeda established SUA on May 3, 2001, as a private, four-year liberal arts college in Aliso Viejo, California. Founded upon the Buddhist principles of peace, human rights and the sanctity of life, SUA is open to top students of all nationalities and beliefs.

OCTOBER 11 WORLD TRIBUNE

Climate Change: A People-Centered Approach

InDepthNews published an opinion piece on climate change by SGI President Ikeda on Sept. 19. “It is certainly not an easy task to halt global warming,” President Ikeda wrote, in part. “But if we take youth initiatives seriously as a starting point from which to develop a hope-inspiring scenario that engages more people to take action, I believe it will certainly be possible to open a way to build a sustainable global society.”

OCTOBER 18 WORLD TRIBUNE

Roadmap to 6,000 New Youth in 2020

With the SGI’s 2020 theme of the Year of Advancement and Capable People, the SGI-USA created a “2020 Roadmap to Victory” to ensure the success of welcoming 6,000 new youth. The roadmap hones in on the four foundational elements of propagation, member care, study and contributions.

Amelia Gonzalez, the SGI-USA student division young women’s leader, presents at the SGI-sponsored event “Galvanizing Youth and Universities for Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Change” during the U.N. Youth Climate Summit, Sept. 23, New York.

SGI Joins the Youth Climate Action Summit

SGI youth representatives joined a series of events Sept. 21–24 in New York City as part of Climate Week. On Sept. 21, they were among the 500 delegates attending an unprecedented United Nations Youth Climate Summit at the U.N. Headquarters.

NOVEMBER 1 WORLD TRIBUNE

The opening of the Soka Gakkai World Seikyo Center in Tokyo—the newly constructed building for the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper—is slated for Nov. 18. Photo by SEIKYO PRESS.

SGI President and Mrs. Ikeda Visit the World Seikyo Center

On the morning of Sept. 28, SGI President and Mrs. Ikeda made their first visit to the recently completed Soka Gakkai World Seikyo Center, located in Shinanomachi, Tokyo. They chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and conducted gongyo in the fourth-floor Justice Hall, praying for the great development of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s “newspaper of the people.”

ERIK FISCHER

New Center Opens in Southern California

On Oct. 13, members opened the SGI-USA Riverside Buddhist Center in Riverside, California. Eight certificates of recognition were presented by five cities and three major entities, including the city of Indian Wells, which declared Oct. 13, 2019, Daisaku Ikeda Day.

“Manet and Modern Beauty”

The Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, which SGI President Ikeda founded in 1983. Photo by TOKYO FUJI ART MUSEUM.

The Soka Gakkai-affiliated Tokyo Fuji Art Museum loaned one of its permanent collections for the exhibition “Manet and Modern Beauty,” which is being displayed at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles until Jan. 12, 2020. The painting, titled “The Promenade (Madame Gamby),” circa 1880–81, is the creation of Édouard Manet, a great impressionist painter of modern Paris. This is the first exhibition of its kind to explore the final years of Manet’s short life and career.

SGI President Ikeda founded the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum in 1983, based on the motto, “A museum creating bridges around the world.”

DAN GRAHAM

Opening Wide the Great Path of Kosen-rufu in America

At a kickoff toward Oct. 2, 2020, representative leaders studied SGI President Ikeda’s actions during the February 1952 Kamata Campaign as a model for achieving indisputable victory during the 60th-anniversary year of the kosen-rufu movement in the U.S. The gathering was held on Oct. 12 at the World Culture Center in Santa Monica, California, with SGI Vice President Yoshiki Tanigawa.

In a moving message, President Ikeda addressed this significant milestone, saying: “My travels for global kosen-rufu started here in the United States . . . While taking pride in your great mission, I urge all of you: Advance in your own human revolution! Expand the ranks of capable Bodhisattvas of the Earth! Expand the network for peace and culture! Let’s accomplish this together!”

NOVEMBER 8 WORLD TRIBUNE

“Mindfulness and Buddhism”

A feature article on how the popular practice corresponds to the Buddhist ideal of the greater self.

NOVEMBER 18 WORLD TRIBUNE

The museum has loaned a painting, “Boat Lying at Low Tide” (1881), from one of its permanent collections, for the exhibition “Claude Monet: The Truth of Nature,” held at the Denver Art Museum. Photo by GOOGLE ARTS & CULTURE.

TFAM Makes Contribution to Historic Monet Exhibition in the U.S.

The Soka Gakkai-affiliated Tokyo Fuji Art Museum (TFAM) loaned “Boat Lying at Low Tide” (1881), a painting from one of its permanent collections, for the exhibition “Claude Monet: The Truth of Nature,” held at the Denver Art Museum from Oct. 20, 2019–Feb. 2, 2020. This event bills itself as the “most comprehensive U.S. exhibition of Monet paintings in more than two decades.”

DECEMBER 6 WORLD TRIBUNE

Leaders gather for the first Caribbean Region Executive Conference that includes district through region leaders across the Caribbean, held at the Holland House Hotel, St. Maarten, Oct. 19. Betsy Eppsteiner pictured in front, far left. PHOTOS BY BETSY EPPSTEINER

Caribbean Region Advances Toward 2020

Passionate leaders of kosen-rufu gathered on Oct. 19 for a historic SGI-USA Caribbean Region Executive Conference, marking the first meeting of its kind to include district through region leaders from across the Caribbean. Participants joyfully discussed the SGI-USA’s direction for 2020, the Year of Advancement and Capable People.

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