by Dee Gopi and Koichi Onogi
SGI-USA Student Division Leaders
Thank you for all your incredible support of the student division! June’s student division conference at the SGI-USA Florida Nature Culture Center was a great success, bringing together students from across the country. Many participants formed friendships sure to last a lifetime and resolved to start campus clubs at their universities and colleges.
As we prepare for school to start in the fall and campus clubs begin their activities, we would like to revisit the purpose and focus of our SGI-USA campus clubs and explain how you can start a new club this year.
One main reason campus clubs exist is introduce Nichiren Buddhism to students and help them discover the profound purpose of their lives through the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and Buddhist humanism. Ikeda Sensei once recalled guidance from second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda on the importance of spreading the philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism at universities.
We need to let the world know that the Buddhist teachings of compassion and respect for the sanctity of life, the philosophy upheld by the Soka Gakkai, are important ideas that can lead all people to happiness. Universities can play a key role in this regard. (The New Human Revolution, vol. 19, p. 180)
Through campus club activities, student division members can transform their inner state of life, awaken to their mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth and stand up for the dignity of life as disciples of Sensei. Some guidelines to keep in mind:
• SGI-USA student division members are youth ages 18–25 enrolled in post-secondary education. However, campus club activities are open to all youth members currently enrolled at the respective school, regardless of age.
• To establish an SGI-USA campus club, it should have at least one student division member (between the ages of 18 to 25) appointed as club leader.
• At this time, a club advisor, appointed to support the development and succession of the club, is optional. Please refer to your university’s specific policies regarding becoming an official club at your institution.
• To establish a campus club, a paper application should be completed and submitted to your local SGI-USA zone office. Please check with your local leaders for more information.
Again, we appreciate your support, and we look forward to expanding the ranks of the student division so that we can become the driving force for building a culture of respect, hope and human happiness through introducing many youth to Nichiren Buddhism!
Happiness Is in Our Hands
Name: Dominic Califano
City: San Diego, California
School: Cal State San Marcos
Living Buddhism: Dominic, you joined the SGI in May 2024, started a campus club and have already introduced three people to the SGI who received the Gohonzon.
Dominic Califano: Yes. I’m quite proud of having introduced three people so far—a family friend, who is like my uncle, and two of my closest friends, who are like my brothers. Seeing benefits in my own life made me want others to experience the same.
How did start practicing Buddhism?
Dominic: I was introduced by a high school friend, Jordan, who I really looked up to. He was a good person to be around and seemed like he had his stuff together. I wanted that. I was just at the end of an unhealthy relationship when he told me about Buddhism. He invited me to a district discussion meeting, which I enjoyed, and later to his home to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. From then on, I chanted 3 to 5 minutes morning and evening.
Were you searching for something then? What were some of the first benefits you experienced?
Dominic: I knew I was unhappy, but I wasn’t specifically looking for Buddhism. Chanting helped me see myself differently and develop compassion for myself. Growing up, I was anxious, timid and had few friends. Through chanting, I gained friends, purpose and confidence.
What prompted you to start the campus club?
Dominic: Jordan and I started at Cal State San Marcos together. In 2024, we attended the Student Division Conference at the Florida Nature and Culture Center (FNCC). I was a new to the SGI, so I didn’t understand how big the organization was. Going there, meeting people from across the country—it was amazing. I left feeling like supporting a student club is how I could contribute to the SGI. We started it earlier this year, and since then we’ve had seven meetings.
How have they been?
Dominic: They’ve been great. We’ve been holding them at our SGI-USA San Marcos Buddhist Center since it is so close to campus. At our last meeting we had 16 people come out, eight of them were guests. One student has been connected to a district and has been chanting!
We start with an icebreaker, then a presentation and end with a discussion on the presentation. The guests keep coming back.
Why do you think it’s important to have Buddhist campus clubs?
Dominic: More than ever, youth are dealing with depression and anxiety and the stresses of daily life. Buddhism is the medicine that can help with that. Also, it’s hard to make friends in college. I didn’t have any friends on campus until the end of my first semester. And I needed that connection. One way I invite students to come to our meetings is by saying that we do youth game nights. I tell them to just come hang out with some Buddhists. They know that Buddhists are going to be nice, chill people.
The other thing is that at our school, there are many Judeo-
Christian clubs. But there were no other clubs where students could learn about Eastern philosophy or Buddhism.
What’s the biggest hurdle you face in sharing Buddhism with others?
Dominic: People are often scared to try something new. If you say that happiness is accessible to them, then they can no longer be a victim. It’s scary for people to feel like happiness is really in their hands.
How do you overcome that challenge?
Dominic: By being a great Buddhist friend. I’m a bit of a micromanager at times, so I struggle with not interfering too much. When supporting my friends, I realize that my job is to meet them where they are. It’s important to give people opportunities without pushing them and help them challenge their limitations.
Any final thoughts or determinations?
Dominic: This semester, two young women’s division members in the region, Amelia and Bianca, are supporting the campus club together with Jordan and me. We look forward to developing it together.
I’ve had many incredible opportunities recently. I shared my experience at FNCC, I was on a Buddhability podcast and now this. I’m so grateful. I struggle with imposter syndrome and feeling like I’m just some guy. What can I say to encourage others? But through these opportunities, I’m building a case against myself that is allowing me to challenge my self-doubt.
I’ve been chanting for clarity on what career I want to pursue in the future and striving to transform family karma. My dad just attended his first kosen-rufu gongyo meeting, and my brother and mother are going to join him at our next discussion meeting. Family is the trickiest to show your human revolution to, but they have seen me change since I began chanting and have become interested as a result. I’m determined to keep challenging my own human revolution.
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