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.

With headlines such as “Respect for Job Should Be Same as That Shown Toward Gohonzon” and “Prayer, Faith, Unity and Study—Keys to Our Own Happiness,” it communicated to the English-speaking world the profundity of Nichiren Buddhism and the significance of the Soka Gakkai’s grassroots movement for peace.

Ikeda Sensei had given the newspaper its name—and by extension, its mission—while flying over the skies of India. He chose the word world for its resolve to send the light of peace and hope to all humanity and tribune for its role to protect ordinary people.

Thanks to the enduring support of SGI-USA members, the publications have expanded beyond the newspaper to include the study magazine Living Buddhism; the book imprints World Tribune Press, Middleway Press and Treasure Tower Books; and videos, podcasts and social media, centered on Buddhability, a digital ecosystem designed to introduce Buddhist principles to youth in America.

In a message marking the newspaper’s 50th anniversary, Sensei shared how, during Nichiren Daishonin’s time, his disciples gathered to read and reread his letters, relaying the content to others. “Today, in the same manner, we study the World Tribune at discussion meetings and on our own, and we freely share with our family and friends the greatness of Buddhism and the inspiration we gain from faith,” Sensei continued. “In so doing, we advance in our efforts to carry out the Buddha’s work of kosen-rufu” (Sept. 5, 2014, World Tribune, p. 1).