by Tae Izawa and Kunihiro Uryu
Northern Virginia (NOVA) West Chapter Women’s and Men’s Leaders
Members of the SGI-USA will begin the new year with hundreds of vibrant chapter kickoff meetings rooted in local communities across the country. The World Tribune sat down with Northern Virginia West Chapter leaders to learn how they have built momentum and increased member participation in their neighborhood gatherings.
Tae’s Journey
I began practicing Buddhism in Japan in 2005 during a period when I was suffering deeply from troubled relationships. I felt like a victim, blaming those around me without realizing I could transform my own life. At my workplace in Japan, there were Soka Gakkai members who spoke naturally about chanting and expressed genuine care for my happiness. Their sincerity moved me to tears, and I decided to try chanting—not to escape my problems but to repay their kindness. I moved to Virginia in 2008. As I continued to change my life through Buddhist practice, I accepted leadership out of the wish to support others the same way I had been supported. I was appointed chapter women’s leader in December 2021 and continue to pray to help others transform their karma with the same courage that enabled me to change mine.
Hiro’s Journey
I am a second-generation Soka Gakkai member, but I struggled to believe in Nichiren Buddhism when I was younger. I was skeptical and unhappy. A women’s leader gave me a book of Ikeda Sensei’s guidance, and when I began chanting seriously to enter college, I felt hope developing inside me. I later achieved my dream of becoming a Ph.D. scientist and obtained dream jobs. During the pandemic, I could not sustain my business and had to work in a restaurant to support myself. Then, another great scientific job opportunity brought me to Virginia. Reviving my life during that difficult period, I learned the never give up spirit based on friendship, prayer and care for others. I now serve as the chapter men’s leader.
A Chapter Spanning Three States
Our membership reflects a diverse community spread across Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. Because the chapter is so geographically large, we make every effort to stay connected with everyone in our chapter, but it is very challenging to maintain regular contact with all members. We are so fortunate to have amazing district and group leaders who have created unity within their organization based on daimoku, study and personal support. Their long-distance travel for visits has become a source of inspiration for the members. In NOVA West Chapter, expansion is built through care and trust, not proximity.
Turning Crisis Into Expansion
Our chapter’s recent momentum began during difficult times. Government actions led to layoffs, reduced pay and overwhelming workloads for many members who were federal employees. Some continued working extremely long hours causing stress-related health issues or family challenges. Rather than wait out the crisis, the leaders extended their care and members responded through prayer, determination and action.
During the October sustaining contribution initiative, the women’s leadership team began visiting members one by one, sharing how others were transforming their hardships by their determination and action. They became “ambassadors of joy,” bringing stories of benefit from district to district and raising hope through genuine care.
Meanwhile, the men’s division utilized Kings of Soka, a monthly men’s dialogue and study meeting, to foster friendships and inspire each other. Men who were exhausted from challenges in life still participated sharing their struggles and victories. One meeting reached 16 attendees from across the chapter. Through open-hearted dialogue, the men strengthened their unity and commitment to supporting others.
Member Care Leads to Record Attendance
By November, the results were clear: 208 members attended their district discussion meetings including 23 youth guests. We surpassed previous years’ attendance despite financial anxiety and unstable work schedules. Rather than rely on various strategies, the leaders focused on visiting and supporting those who could not attend in person. Some districts held second general meetings, ensuring that members with unpredictable schedules could still participate. We focused on attendance not for the numbers but to reflect our care for the members.
Shakubuku as a Shared Mission
This year, 18 new members joined our chapter. This success came from teamwork between the districts and chapter teams and the new members’ sponsors. The district-based biweekly introductory meetings allowed the districts to energize and unite their efforts—working together with the chapter team’s full support.
One father struggling with health challenges and hesitant to introduce others to Nichiren Buddhism determined to overcome his lifelong shyness so he could support the youth in his community. His daughter, who is not an SGI member, but supports her dad’s practice, organized what she called a “Buddha Party,” inviting her friends to learn about Buddhism. Inspired, the district united around them, resulting in five Gohonzon conferrals in their district. The growth came not from ideal circumstance but from courage, unity and shared effort.
Looking Ahead
NOVA West Chapter now aims to reach 250 participants at our chapter kickoff meeting in late January, along with a goal of five new Gohonzon conferrals. In 2026, the chapter is determined to foster youth leadership, appoint young men’s and young women’s chapter leaders and ensure that every district nurtures at least one capable youth leader.
At a time when society feels especially challenging, defeat is not an option. Instead, this is a moment for us to rely on prayer and the “strategy of the Lotus Sutra.” Our chapter is proving that adversity can become fuel for expansion, and that we can turn poison into medicine. This is the NOVA West way to respond to Ikeda Sensei.
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