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Our History

This Month in Soka Gakkai History (August)

Photo by Jolie Tea-Taniguchi.

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 Concludes The New Human Revolution 

In 1993, Sensei began writing The New Human Revolution at the Nagano Training Center in Japan. He completed the 30-volume series 25 years later in the same location. This year will mark 30 years since he began writing the series. 

8/24

Sensei Joins the Soka Gakkai

On Aug. 14, 1947, 19-year-old Daisaku Ikeda attended a discussion meeting in Kamata, Tokyo. There, he met Josei Toda who would become his lifelong mentor. Ten days later, he joined the Soka Gakkai. (See The Human Revolution, “Emerging From the Earth” chapter) 

The Starting Point of the Seikyo Shimbun 

In 1950, amid setbacks in his businesses, Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda discussed creating an organizational newspaper.

Men’s Division Day

In 1976, Aug. 24 became Men’s Division Day in commemoration of Sensei joining the Soka Gakkai.

8/31

Sensei Lectures on The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings

In 1962, Sensei began lectures on The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings for representative student division members. (See NHR-6, “Young Eagles” chapter)

55th Anniversary of the Song ‘Ever in High Spirits’

In 1968, at a women’s division general meeting, the Soka Gakkai song “Ever in High Spirits” debuted. It was later adapted into English by members in the U.S. and retitled “Forever Sensei.”

August 4, 2023, World Tribune, p. 4

My Young Friends, Perform a Joyous Dance of Youth on the Stage of Your Mission!

Courageously Break Through Our Limitations!