Words cannot quite express how deeply we appreciate each of you for your unwavering support of kosen-rufu.
Every year when this time comes around, we reflect on how our lives have been transformed through encountering Nichiren Buddhism with the SGI, and we make a fresh determination to advance our movement and its aim to bring about an age that treasures the dignity of life.
But this May is even more significant. Why? It will be our first since Ikeda Sensei’s passing.
As a national team, we are asking ourselves, what we can do, above and beyond what’s been done up to now?
In his lecture on key passages from The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Sensei writes about the significance of May 3, calling it “the starting point for Soka mentors and disciples as they carry out the Daishonin’s great selfless struggle to spread the Mystic Law.”[1] It was on this day, in 1951 and then in 1960, that Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda were inaugurated as second and third presidents of the Soka Gakkai, heralding major leaps forward in the realization of kosen-rufu.
This May 3 is, in essence, a starting point to achieve our shared mission in our mentor’s stead—a launching point for each of us to realize even greater actual proof based on resolute faith in the Gohonzon and lead lives of complete fulfillment and victory.
Our May Commemorative Contribution activity is our chance to express our appreciation for our Buddhist practice by financially protecting and extending our kosen-rufu movement far beyond our lifetimes. It is through such noble, selfless acts that we polish our humanity.
It is our conviction that making offerings with this spirit will cause our own good fortune to blossom, as stated by Nichiren Daishonin, when he says: “You may think you offered gifts to the treasure tower of the Thus Come One Many Treasures, but that is not so. You offered them to yourself” (“On the Treasure Tower,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 299).
When Sensei stopped attending headquarters leaders meetings in June 2010, he spoke about the foremost importance of the “time” in Buddhism. He emphasized that the time had come to put the finishing touches on his life’s work and leave everything to his disciples, imparting the words his mentor spoke to him:
Daisaku, I have done everything I possibly can for the future. The rest is up to you. Strive your hardest! Win victory after victory![2]
Daisaku, I have done everything I possibly can for the future. The rest is up to you. Strive your hardest! Win victory after victory!2
Now is the time to put everything we have learned from our mentor into practice toward the Soka Gakkai’s centennial in 2030. We are determined that, together, we will make May 3 a turning point for our country, with each of us standing up, of our own free will, to advance powerfully toward 2030, filled with joy and courage.
Thank you, thank you, thank you very much!
SGI-USA National Team
Moving Toward 2030 With Joy and Courage
The May Commemorative Contribution activity is an expression of our vow to practice and spread the Mystic Law and our gratitude for the benefit we have gained from doing so. It allows us to financially protect and extend our kosen-rufu movement far beyond our lifetimes.
This year’s activity celebrates several significant milestones: April 28, the day when Nichiren Daishonin established his teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as the means for all people to attain enlightenment; May 3, which marks the day when Josei Toda was inaugurated as the second Soka Gakkai president (1951) and Ikeda Sensei became the third president (1960). It also marks Soka Gakkai Mother’s Day. The activity concludes on June 2, when members throughout the country gather at Kosen-rufu Gongyo Meetings to pray to actualize world peace.
Check It Out
Over the past year, the SGI-USA released the following books.
My Dear Friends in America, 1990–96, fourth edition
The Basics of Nichiren Buddhism
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, revised editions
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, e-edition
Ways to Contribute
Contributions can be made by credit or debit card, e-check, check, money order or cashier’s check. Cash is not accepted.
Call Member Services at:
(855) SGI-2030 | (855) 744-2030
Mon–Fri: 9am–5pm PT
Sun, April 28: 9am–5pm PT
Sun, May 5: 9am–5pm PT
Sat, June 1: 9am–5pm PT
Sun, June 2: 9am–5pm PT
Via the Member Resources at:
portal.sgi-usa.org
> Go to “My Contribution”
> Click on “Make a May Contribution”
Via U.S. mail:
Checks/money orders to be payable to SGI-USA and sent as follows:
SGI-USA
Attn: Member Services
606 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401
April 5, 2024, World Tribune, pp. A, B, D
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