by Florida Zone team
What is your zone motto? Now is the time!
Tell us briefly about your zone’s history.Our zone was formed in 2007 at the same time the territory system was created in the SGI-USA. Prior to this, the East Coast consisted of two larger zones, and Florida was part of Southeast Zone. Today, our zone encompasses most of Florida, and in 2017, the Caribbean islands were added to our organization.
Do you have a Buddhist Center(s) in your zone? Yes, we are fortunate to have six centers that serve the members: the North Florida Buddhist Center, the Orlando Buddhist Center; the Florida Everglades Buddhist Center in Fort Lauderdale; the Miami Buddhist Center; the Puerto Rico Buddhist Center; and the Trinidad and Tobago Buddhist Centre.
Does your zone have a particular point of pride? We are proud to be home to the Florida Nature and Culture Center (FNCC), where thousands of members from around the SGI-USA visit every year to refresh their faith. We also have 21 nations throughout the Caribbean represented in our zone.
What is essential for you as a zone? Ikeda Sensei has visited our zone seven times. His final visit was in 1996, for the opening of the FNCC. We are proud to have the opportunity to protect and preserve the FNCC—a precious gift from Sensei to the members of the SGI-USA. The center has also become a place where countless Florida Zone youth have been trained to serve as behind-the-scenes support for the many conferences held there throughout the year.
Do you have something that is unique to your zone? Our zone is home to the Caribbean islands and Puerto Rico, making it a vibrant community of diverse cultures and languages. It also encompasses the Everglades, the largest subtropical wetland in the U.S., as well as world-renowned tourist destinations such as Universal Studios Florida and Walt Disney World. With our proximity to Latin America and the Caribbean islands, we are a gateway to the world and welcome many visiting members and friends from neighboring lands.
From June to November, during hurricane season, the members unite in powerful daimoku, launching a “daimoku offensive” to pray for the safety and protection of all our citizens.
Florida also attracts many new residents each year, with families benefiting from reduced in-state tuition rates enabling many member’s children to attend state universities. In addition, we are grateful that lots of Many Treasures Group members choose to retire here, continuing to respond to Sensei and fight for kosen-rufu with unwavering determination.
What’s your vision toward 2030? Our vision is to:
• Establish a solid foundation of youth and to double the membership of Florida Zone
• Remain No. 1 in shakubuku by caring for others like family, especially future and youth division members
• Have every district function as a warm family in faith that supports one another through all struggles, to victory and beyond!
Anything else you’d like to add? We strive to always be with Sensei!
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