TOKYO—Under the theme “Pioneering the Next 50 Years Together With Sensei,” 260 youth from 60 countries gathered in Japan for a training course Sept. 4–9. Sixteen of those youth represented SGI-USA. With Ikeda Sensei in their hearts, young people from around the world united in their mission to usher in the next era of global kosen-rufu.
Day 1—After an energetic welcoming event, the youth attended a lecture by SGI General Director Yoshiki Tanigawa. Tanigawa lectured on “The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life” based on Sensei’s guidance. He said that as leaders, we must have a solid grounding in Buddhist study, not by casually reading text but rather by serious study, a thorough examination in the midst of our daily struggles. Day 1 concluded with divisional guidance sessions. During the opening session, the SGI Young Men’s Leader, Hideaki Yanashima, and the SGI Kayo-kai leader, Hiroko Ogushi, shared heartfelt opening words empowering all the youth to lead in shakubuku—in engaging in life-awakening dialogues with our friends and neighbors.
Day 2—Participants attended a lecture on The New Human Revolution led by Soka Gakkai Senior Vice President Hiromasa Ikeda. During the lecture, Ikeda reaffirmed that youth today are part of the “New Human Revolution Generation” and that everyone should really study The New Human Revolution with three points in mind: 1) it can be considered a textbook of faith in which to learn the spirit of Soka; 2) it is a text in which we can engage in an inner dialogue with our mentor and; 3) it is a record of our mentor’s vow entrusted to his disciples. Following the lecture a commemorative gongyo ceremony was held at the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu.
Day 3—The youth attended the headquarters leaders meeting at the Toda Memorial Hall in Tokyo.
Day 4—All participants went to the Kanagawa Culture Center to meet with, talk to, and create bonds of friendship with youth leaders from Japan. The youth were able to tour this historic center for kosen-rufu Sensei frequented. Afterward, the youth of SGI-USA attended an exchange meeting with the local members in Kanagawa.
The Final Day—SGI-USA youth had an exchange meeting and lunch with the youth from Brazil. After, everyone joined a guidance session with Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada, who encouraged all the youth to live true to their vow for kosen-rufu, inheirit the same spirit as the three founding presidents, and walk the great path of mentor and disciple. The youth all left refreshed, ready to fight all out in their homes and communities. They are ready to carve a new path and create a great new history in SGI-USA’s kosen-rufu movement as members of the New Human Revolution Generation.
Impressions
Briana Boche (Pacific Northwest Zone Young Women’s Leader)
While on the training course, I realized that my chanting of daimoku had lacked joy, and how distant I’ve felt from the members. In Kanagawa, where Ikeda Sensei launched a fresh departure for worldwide kosen-rufu after stepping down as Soka Gakkai president in 1979 to shield the members from the priesthood, we viewed the calligraphies he penned at the time: “Shared Struggle,” “Vow” and “Justice.” Sensei declared: “In the year of stormy adversity, I trust the youth” and encouraged members to always return to the stand-alone spirit. In our closing session, Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada recalled second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda’s words from volume 30 of The New Human Revolution: “As long as there is a core of youth—no, even a single true disciple—we will achieve kosen-rufu” (NHR-30, 825). He then asked us to staunchly carry on the spirit of the first three Soka Gakkai presidents, saying that those who do will be victors and that this is the fundamental path for Soka Gakkai successors in the 21st century. Through my training course experiences, I was able to create a new prime point with Sensei. From now, I will do my best to connect each youth with Sensei’s heart so we can enjoy our practice and daily life together.
Brandon Poythress (Chicago Zone Young Men’s Leader)
During the guidance session with SGI Young Men’s Leader Hideaki Yanashima, someone asked a question on how to foster young men today. He shared that as a leader, we should develop a strong personal relationship with each of our members and become the type of person who can embrace each of them for who they are. He emphasized that even if you have only a single individual, your activities together with them can become a great inspiration for others to stand up in faith. He concluded that the starting point of the Soka Gakkai is our connection with a single individual.
This encouragement really impressed in me the importance of developing a remarkable bond with our members. I realized that we can foster a steady stream of capable youth only through treasuring our connection with each individual.
Isaiah Siapno (San Diego North Region Young Men’s Leader)
The Hall of the Great Vow was an amazing experience and meant more to me in its substance than the grandiosity of the building itself. To connect on an even deeper level to my mentor through chanting at the hall meant so much to me, especially as someone who has personally struggled to connect with Ikeda Sensei. I was also really stuck by an inscription on the stone that said in part, “It is a place for resolving anew to triumph in our personal human revolution, undaunted by all obstacles and challenges, and to help others do the same.” I truly vow to fight and actualize kosen-rufu with the same heart as my mentor, as his vow is my own.
Kimberly Cadillo (New Jersey Zone Young Women’s Leader)
This was a life-changing experience for me. I know that many people may say this, but I feel like a new person through this experience. The day came when we attended the Eighth Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders meeting. When we entered the room, all the members stood up cheering for us; they were excited to see us. I felt my life open up with a sudden burst of joy. Growing up in the SGI, I have always seen videos of the headquarters leaders meetings, but I never thought that in my lifetime I would be there. It felt unreal. While some youth were singing “Eternal Journey With Sensei” holding their country’s flags in the background, I thought to myself: This is Ikeda Sensei’s dream—youth from around the world gathered together with one single objective, kosen-rufu. When I turned and saw Sensei’s portrait, things became clear to me. I’ve never physically met Sensei, but it felt like he was standing right before me that day and the message was clear: the profound mission we have as youth leaders in the SGI-USA, and for that matter, all of us. I felt a great honor to have Sensei trust me to foster the next generation of youth within my organization. I realize how fortunate I am to have grown up knowing Sensei. I can say that it was one of the happiest days of my life.
October 17, 2025 World Tribune, pp. 6–7
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