by the Mid-Atlantic Zone team
What is your zone motto? One with Sensei, Mid-Atlantic leads the way!
Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Mid-Atlantic Zone was established in its present form in 2007 along with East Territory. The zone consists of seven regions in the states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Washington, D.C. and part of West Virginia. The original district, to which Mid-Atlantic Zone traces its roots, was established by Ikeda Sensei on Oct. 16, 1960. At the time, the district extended from Maryland to Florida!
Do you have a Buddhist Center(s) in your zone? Yes. We have six centers that serve the members in Baltimore, central Maryland, Washington, D.C., northern Virginia, southeast Virginia and eastern North Carolina. We are striving to establish a center to serve the western part of North Carolina.
Does your zone have a particular point of pride? Mid-Atlantic Zone is home to the nation’s capital, world-renowned museums and research institutions in the fields of medicine, climate, space and agriculture. We are home to many prominent universities and military bases in all branches of the armed forces, as well as many beaches and mountains.
When our zone center in Washington, D.C., opened Sensei referred to it as the SGI Embassy. So we take great pride that the daimoku chanted here permeates the entire globe via the many embassies in our nation’s capital.
We are also home to some of the most diverse communities in the nation, and we have many capable people in diverse professional fields.
Each year we participate in the Unity Walk in which local churches, synagogues and temples visit one another to show the importance of respecting one another’s beliefs. This event commemorates 9/11 each year, and this year we welcomed over 150 people to the Washington, D.C., Center, all of whom were able to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for about a minute!
What is your prime point with Sensei as a zone? In line with our zone motto, we are constantly seeking to be one with Sensei’s heart and lead in the advancement of kosen-rufu. Based on solid unity with one another, strong seeking spirit toward Sensei, and the basics of faith, practice and study, we strive to advance kosen-rufu to rid the world of misery. We are fully committed to the spirit that the daimoku chanted in our zone permeates the entire nation and globe. Sensei visited our zone four times in 1960, 1972, 1975 and 1980, all of which are our prime points. We take his encouragement to embrace all people, share Buddhism and base ourselves always on the basics of faith as eternal guidance to live by. His example of citizen diplomacy and the effect it can have on global affairs is an eternal example of the power each of us has to make an impact in society based on our personal human revolution.
Do you have something that is unique to your zone? Our zone is geographically diverse with the many beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains of the Appalachians in the west. We are home to the highest point on the East Coast. There are farm communities and dense cities, many of which rank among the best places to live.
Since we are home to the nation’s capital, the Pentagon and major research institutions, we understand major decisions are being made daily that affect the entire nation and world. Based on this we take pride in our unique mission and responsibility to advance kosen-rufu locally with the spirt to “establish the correct teaching for the peace of the land.”
What is your zone’s vision toward 2030? Our vision toward 2030 is to be the capital of youth—introducing them and nurturing them as leaders. We envision every member experiencing boundless benefit and fortune and living based on the shared vow of the oneness of mentor and disciple.
We will lead the way in nurturing capable people, advancing kosen-rufu, and contributing to the peace and well-being of people across the globe.
Anything else you’d like to add? We have the most powerful future division and Many Treasures Group! Our youth are the most capable! The women’s and men’s division members are determined to support the youth all the way in creating joyful, innovative ideas to connect with one another and guests! As a harmonious kosen-rufu family, we will spread joy, happiness and fulfillment through our prayer and actions.
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