by the Los Angeles Sunshine Zone team
What is your zone motto? LA Sunshine with Sensei!
Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. In 1960, on his first visit to the U.S., Ikeda Sensei established the first chapter in the States—Los Angeles Chapter. Within that chapter, he created six districts and attended the first discussion meeting in LA in Little Tokyo, which is currently part of our zone. With the pioneer members engaging in a shared struggle with Sensei, the membership and the number of districts has expanded exponentially over the years.
In January 2012, LA Zone was split into two zones and Sensei named each—Los Angeles Sunshine Zone and Los Angeles Pan-Pacific Zone.
Do you have a Buddhist Center(s) in your zone? The Los Angeles Friendship Center is home to all three of our regions. In the spring of 1992, the world’s eyes were on Los Angeles as the verdict in the trial of the police officers accused of beating Rodney King sparked massive social unrest and a national debate about police brutality, racial discrimination and economic inequality. In its aftermath, Sensei delivered his poem “The Sun of Jiyu Over a New Land” on Jan. 27, 1993. In it, he expressed his wish for each person to awaken to their true identity as jiyu, Bodhisattvas of the Earth who strive to help others bring forth their limitless potential.
On Sept. 21, 1998, just five years later, the Los Angeles Friendship Center opened, giving members living in LA a place to call their own.
Does your zone have a particular point of pride? Yes. Since the Los Angeles Friendship Center’s opening, we have had a longstanding relationship with the local neighborhood association and have even hosted their association meetings at our center. The neighborhood has become cleaner and safer with our behind-the-scenes support and the use of our facilities by our members.
Also, the number of Byakuren, Soka Group and Gajokai has developed and grown this year. We are proud that our center is supported and led by our youth division.
What is your prime point with Sensei as a zone? The 17 visits by Sensei to Los Angeles, his guidance shared in The New Human Revolution, volume 1 “Pioneer Chapter,” and “The Sun of Jiyu Over a New Land” poem are LA Sunshine Zone’s foundational points. Each year the members refresh their resolve by returning to these words from our mentor. For example, in “The Sun of Jiyu” poem, Sensei writes:
Beloved Los Angelenos!
I want you each to be
like the California sunshine,
showering on all people
the bright light and warmth
of your compassion.
We strive to be like the California sunshine!
Do you have something that is unique to your zone? We not only have the power of unity but take pride in our zone’s great diversity. Los Angeles is one of the most diverse metropolitan areas in the world, and our membership reflects this.
What is your zone’s vision toward 2030? Based on “The Sun of Jiyu”—with the amazing potential of the members in our precious districts, we are determined to grow into strong pillars in our communities. Also, to have our growth be based on joy and the members receiving many benefits. Most importantly, our vision is to raise our youth and future division members so that they can become absolutely happy and expand their ranks for our kosen-rufu movement!
Anything else you’d like to add? We have amazing Many Treasures Group members who joyfully share Buddhism and are leading lives of so much joy. We also have a dynamic future division, and through bonds of friendship, our youth division is growing!
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