JAN 1 WORLD TRIBUNE
New Year’s Message
Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada encourages members worldwide to unite in the Year of Soaring Higher Toward a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide, repaying gratitude to Ikeda Sensei through action and actual proof. Highlighting key anniversaries, he stresses spreading the Mystic Law, illuminating a troubled world, deepening unity and advancing with Sensei’s eternal guidance to create victorious progress toward the Soka Gakkai’s centennial.
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JAN 1 WORLD TRIBUNE
The Student Division Builds an Enduring Foundation
The student division becomes a stand-alone group for youth ages 18–25. The World Tribune sits down with national student division leaders to discuss their dedication to developing courageous leaders who protect and support people and its renewed mission to foster hope, friendship and diversity through campus clubs, personal growth and community engagement.
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JAN 17 WORLD TRIBUNE
It’s Time for All of Us to Come Together
In SGI-USA General Director Adin Strauss’s message in response to the Los Angeles fires, he expresses deep appreciation for the members’ concern and support for those affected by the fires. He emphasizes Nichiren Daishonin’s teaching that great good follows great hardship and urges the SGI community to deepen bonds, strengthen faith, support one another and open a new era of kosen-rufu together.
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FEB 7 WORLD TRIBUNE
We Still Have Treasures of the Heart
In January 2025, devastating wildfires tore through Los Angeles County, displacing thousands. As SGI-USA members rapidly mobilized to support one another, the World Tribune spoke with local members and leaders whose firsthand experiences reveal the profound strength of Soka friendship, community and hope amid crisis and rebuilding.
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FEB 14 WORLD TRIBUNE
The Opening of the Next 50 Years of Kosen-rufu
The Soka Gakkai International holds its 50th anniversary commemorative meeting on Guam, underscoring the people’s network of human harmony.
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FEB 21 WORLD TRIBUNE
SGI Calls for No First Use of Nuclear Weapons
On Jan. 15, ahead of the SGI’s 50th anniversary on Jan. 26, the SGI Global Perspectives Committee released a statement, titled “Preventing the Use of Nuclear Weapons as a Step Toward a Peaceful World,” which highlights two urgent proposals: 1) the establishment of pledges of No First Use of nuclear weapons and 2) the creation of a nuclear war prevention center.
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MAR 7 WORLD TRIBUNE
Embracing Youth for the March Discussion Meeting
The World Tribune sits down with SGI-USA youth leaders to discuss how winning in the district discussion meetings is rooted in our three guidelines as a Buddhist community this year: shakubuku rooted in friendship, strengthening our youth and strengthening our community.
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MAR 7 WORLD TRIBUNE
Ikeda Wisdom Academy Begins Seventh Class
Academy members launch the seventh class, focusing on volumes 4 and 5 of The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, which cover the Lotus Sutra’s 16th chapter, “Life Span of the Thus Come One,” through the 22nd “Entrustment” chapter.
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MAR 14 WORLD TRIBUNE
Many Treasures Group Announces New Team
The SGI-USA Many Treasures Group is soaring higher in 2025 with a new national leadership team committed to raising youthful successors. The group, for members 65 years and older, was established by Ikeda Sensei in 1988.
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MAR 14 WORLD TRIBUNE
Soka Victory District Relaunches
The Soka Victory District initiative is being reintroduced to celebrate the growth and success of the districts in this milestone year, in which we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the SGI and launch into the next 50 years of global kosen-rufu, both with our mentor, Ikeda Sensei, and in his stead.
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MAR 21 WORLD TRIBUNE
Flip the Script
At its first conference of the year, the Central Executive Committee discusses ways to reimagine the district discussion meeting and make it more engaging for youth.
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APR 4 WORLD TRIBUNE
Jazz Legend Herbie Hancock Receives 2025 Soka Global Citizen Award
Jazz titan and global humanitarian Herbie Hancock receives the 2025 Soka Global Citizen Award, Soka University of America announces in a statement. The honor celebrates Mr. Hancock’s six-decade journey as a musical innovator and cultural bridge-builder whose influence stretches far beyond the keyboard.
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APR 11 WORLD TRIBUNE
Up to Me
After having over 3,000 youth guests take part in the March district discussion meetings in neighborhoods throughout the country, the World Tribune sits down with SGI-USA youth leaders to discuss how Creating a District With Many Youth Is Up to Me.
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APR 11 WORLD TRIBUNE
New World Tribune App
The latest version of the World Tribune app is released for even easier access to news, study and encouragement from the SGI-USA’s Voice of Courage and Hope—the weekly newspaper, World Tribune and monthly study magazine, Living Buddhism.
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APR 18 WORLD TRIBUNE
Heroes of Peace
The World Tribune introduces the SGI-USA Vietnam Video Series, which tells the stories of veterans who communicate their profound conviction that the SGI’s movement of human revolution is the key to peace.
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MAY 3 WORLD TRIBUNE
‘Castle of Justice’ Opens in Trinidad and Tobago
Over 100 members and guests celebrate the opening of the SGI-USA Trinidad and Tobago Buddhist Center, which is the only center in the 21 island nations that make up the SGI-USA Caribbean Region.
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MAY 9 WORLD TRIBUNE
Soka 2030 Series
This new study series covers Soka Spirit topics to be presented by a youth or student division member at Soka 2030 meetings on the last Sunday of each month.
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JUN 6 WORLD TRIBUNE
President Harada Sends Congratulatory Message to New Pope
Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada on May 9 sent a congratulatory message on behalf of Soka Gakkai members throughout the world to Pope Leo XIV, on his election as the 267th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. In the message, President Harada stated that the appointment signified a “new and hope-filled departure for the global Catholic community and for people everywhere who yearn for peace.”
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JUN 6 WORLD TRIBUNE
An Undeniable Hope
Ikeda Sensei states, “Never be bowed by the harsh realities before you.” Such was the message imparted to Soka University of America’s Class of 2025, who, on May 23 became the 21st undergraduate class and 10th graduate class to earn their diplomas at the liberal arts institution grounded in the Buddhist principles of peace, human rights and the sanctity of life.
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JUN 20 WORLD TRIBUNE
10,000 Youth
The Central Executive Committee Conference opened on June 7, 2025, on an earth-splitting note, with the SGI-USA youth presenting a bold, collective vision of enabling 10,000 young people to emerge from the earth and join our movement for peace by Ikeda Sensei’s 100th birthday.
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JUN 20 WORLD TRIBUNE
Study Department Introduces ‘Learning Lab’ and Flashcards, Quizzes
The SGI-USA study department introduces an Advanced Exam, which will take place every other year, starting in December 2026. To support in preparation, the study department’s first “Learning Lab” course became available to all those with an SGI-USA member account. Flashcards and quizzes also became available in the member resource portals.
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JUN 20 WORLD TRIBUNE
Growing With Our Children
The World Tribune sits down with the SGI-USA Parents Group leaders to discuss how their mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth and disciples of Ikeda Sensei plays a crucial role in parenting in the modern age.
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JULY 4 WORLD TRIBUNE
Soka Family Day at SUA
With the morning sun shining brightly, over 400 parents and children gathered at Soka University of America on June 22, 2025, for the SoCal-Pacific Territory’s Quint Zone Soka Family Day.
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JULY 11 WORLD TRIBUNE
Podcast Video Views Reach 100K
Buddhability added a video component (or vodcast) to its longstanding audio podcast, enabling it to tap into a wider audience. This proved to be an effective step, as the vodcast alone surpassed 100,000 views in its first year.
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JULY 11 WORLD TRIBUNE
New Youth Exhibition Debuts
A new, student-focused exhibition “Does What I Do Matter?” was unveiled on June 14, 2025, at the student division conference at the Florida Nature and Culture Center. The student-focused exhibition will be brought to university campuses nationwide.
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JULY 18 WORLD TRIBUNE
‘Run! Champions of Soka!’
At Soka University of America, 136 future division members, entering or in high school, assembled from across the country to create and strengthen friendships, study Buddhism and engage in fun activities and discussions that helped them deepen their understanding of Ikeda Sensei’s vision for kosen-rufu and how Nichiren Buddhism applies to their lives.
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AUG 1 WORLD TRIBUNE
Opening a ‘New Page of Kosen-rufu’ Through Lasting Friendships
The World Tribune sat down with SGI-USA Men’s Leader James Herrmann and SGI-USA Young Men’s Leader Kenichi Hackman to learn how the men and young men will unite in August and beyond by creating lasting friendships with young people.
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AUG 8 WORLD TRIBUNE
New Tool Connects SGI-USA Members to Activities
The SGI-USA announces the creation of an auxiliary group database in the SGI-USA Member Resources Portal to make it easier for members to receive communication regarding events and activities.
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AUG 8 WORLD TRIBUNE
Youth Shakubuku Reports From the Front Lines
SGI-USA members all over the country have taken to heart the motto “Creating a District With Many Youth Is Up to Me!” The World Tribune sits down with district leaders to learn how they are turning this motto into a spirit and then a movement.
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AUG 15 WORLD TRIBUNE
Happy Birthday ‘World Tribune’!
On Saturday, Aug. 15, 1964, the World Tribune printed its first edition—a four-page tabloid-sized newspaper with the first three pages in English and the fourth in Japanese.
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SEPT 5 WORLD TRIBUNE
Creating a World Without War
Minoru Harada, president of the Soka Gakkai, issued a statement on Aug. 1, 2025, marking 80 years since the end of World War II. Titled “Creating a Wave of Change Toward a Century Without War,” it clarified the Buddhist organization’s ongoing commitment to peace.
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SEPT 5 WORLD TRIBUNE
The Buddhism of the People
The SGI Study Conference was held Aug. 22–25 at the Florida Nature and Culture Center with more than 160 region through national leaders in attendance from around the country, including Hawaii and the Caribbean. SGI Study Department Leader Seiichiro Harada presented three lectures on The Opening of the Eyes: SGI President Ikeda’s Lecture Series and held three Q&A sessions.
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OCT 2 WORLD TRIBUNE
65 Years of Global Kosen-rufu
From his first journey to the United States in October 1960 to his last in June 1996, Ikeda Sensei spent 386 days—more than a year of his life—building the foundation of lasting peace in our multiracial nation, which he described as representing humanity’s future. This special issue carries Sensei’s seminal guidance given in the U.S., a brief timeline of Sensei’s efforts over six decades, the growth of the SGI-USA organization, interviews on Sensei’s peace philosophy, recollections of his visits from those who were there and determinations from youth to carry on his legacy.
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OCT 10 WORLD TRIBUNE
Kosen-rufu Happens One-to-One
Held on Sept. 13, 2025 at the SGI-USA headquarters, the Central Executive Committee votes to focus in 2026 on ways to shine a light on smaller interactions. What changes need to be made to give youth and leaders the space to build such relationships? This question became the central theme of the third quarterly conference.
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OCT 10 WORLD TRIBUNE
Shine a Light on Every Member
SGI General Director Yoshiki Tanigawa conducts a guidance session with the SGI-USA Executive Council and Central Executive Committee on Sept. 13, 2025.
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OCT 17 WORLD TRIBUNE
Pioneering the Next 50 Years Together With Sensei
Under the theme “Pioneering the Next 50 Years Together With Sensei,” 260 youth from 60 countries gathered in Japan for a training course from Sept. 4–9. Sixteen of those youth represented SGI-USA.
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NOV 7 WORLD TRIBUNE
Shaking It Up Toward the November District Meeting
The World Tribune sits down with two district leaders to learn how their local organizations are creating fresh and innovative ways to hold district discussion meetings and the real impact it’s having on the members, youth and friends who attend.
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NOV 7 WORLD TRIBUNE
‘The Renewal of the United States Is Linked to the Renewal of the World’
To mark the 65th anniversary of Ikeda Sensei’s first visit to the U.S. to initiate global kosen-rufu, the SGI-USA held commemorative meetings in Santa Monica and Oakland, California, led by Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada and SGI General Director Yoshiki Tanigawa. New leadership was announced, including Monica Soto Ouchi as the SGI-USA women’s leader and Naoko Leslie as SGI-USA vice women’s leader.
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NOV 14 WORLD TRIBUNE
Denver Culture Center Opens
On a sunny and warm Oct. 4, members from Rocky Mountain Zone gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Denver Culture Center.
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NOV 14 WORLD TRIBUNE
Peace in Miniature
Women’s and young women’s leaders introduce a dialogue focus: “Peace in Miniature: ‘One is the mother of ten thousand.’” This initiative invites each person to engage in heartfelt one-to-one dialogues, with the conviction that each one represents peace itself.
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DEC 5 WORLD TRIBUNE
Why I Share Buddhism With Youth
The World Tribune sits down with SGI members who have helped a young person receive the Gohonzon this year to learn how they are making the motto “Creating a District With Many Youth Is Up to Me!” their own.
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DEC 12 WORLD TRIBUNE
Transforming Humanity’s Destiny
SGI representatives from throughout the world gathered on Nov. 15, 2025, for a solemn gongyo ceremony at the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu, marking the second anniversary (third memorial) of Ikeda Sensei’s passing.
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DEC 12 WORLD TRIBUNE
SGI Announces 2026 Theme
The SGI theme for 2026—the Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide—calls on each of us to breathe fresh life into our daily efforts for kosen-rufu. Vibrant growth means advancing with energy, hope and the determination of youth, no matter our age.
December 19, 2025 World Tribune, pp. 4–10
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