What We Like (And Can Improve) About Discussion Meetings

1) Make the discussion meeting a place to raise the next generation.
2) Regard all future division members as if they were one’s own children.
3) Help future division members develop a love for their community.^[4]

This month, as we celebrate Future Division Month, we turn our focus to the voices of our youngest members. We asked them to share their thoughts on their Buddhist practice and their discussion meetings—what inspires them, what they enjoy most and what they would like to see more of. Please join us in listening to what they have to say about building a bright future.

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Making Friends in the SGI

Name: Aanya Singh // Grade: 12th // State: California 

Living Buddhism: Hi Aanya! How did you start practicing Buddhism?

Aanya Singh: My mom actually started practicing before I was born. But my personal practice started last summer, right before the Junior High and High School (JHHS) Conference at Soka University of America (SUA).

What was going on in your life at the time?

Aanya: I was having challenges with a friend at school. The biggest reason why I hadn’t gotten into chanting before was because I didn’t see other people my age practicing. If other kids weren’t doing it, I felt like, why am I doing it, you know? Then I went to the JHHS conference, and that low-key changed my whole view. I saw other kids chanting openly and genuinely enjoying it, and that motivated me to start chanting on my own. Now, I happily participate in my district meetings.

What at the conference changed your perspective?

Aanya: I think it used to feel like my mom’s practice, because I considered all SGI members to be her friends. But now I had my own friends in the SGI, and that made it my own thing. Also, at the SUA conference, we did gongyo and chanted every morning and evening, so when I got home, I decided to learn gongyo. Before, I felt like gongyo was a nuisance, but now I find it calming. It brings me peace of mind. 

What do your friends think about you being a Buddhist?

Aanya: They’ve seen changes in me, like how I’ve started to get up on time. I tell them, it’s because I practice Buddhism! I think my friends also resonate with it more when I share that it’s a world peace organization rather than a religion.

I invite them to meetings. Recently, I also shared Buddhism with someone who works at my school, and it was great because she really likes chanting and even came to our district meeting!

What are your district meetings like? 

Aanya: They’re held at my house, so I help clean and set up. I say hi to everyone as they come in. I don’t ever feel excluded even though my sister and I are the only youth there. I feel like I’m among family at my discussion meetings, and everyone is so open.

That’s great! Are there certain things you’d like to see happen in the district?

Aanya: Sometimes it is hard to relate to older people. I think if there were more young people in my district, I would feel more comfortable inviting my friends to the meetings. 

Anything else you’d like to see?

Aanya: I’d like to have more activities like we do at our youth-led discussion meetings. In a more open, less formal setting, it’s easier to talk. Sometimes having some snacks or some music might make it more welcoming for guests because in the end, it’s about making personal connections.

Icebreakers are also a great way to get to know each other and people’s interests outside of their Buddhist practice. Even an SGI-themed charades or creating vision boards would be great at a meeting!

Great ideas! How did your March youth-led discussion meeting go?

Aanya: We had a cookie decorating activity and talked about our Buddhist practice. We invited our friends, ate food, decorated cookies, and we talked. It was so fun because we got to relax and hang out, and my friends could meet other members and see how positive everyone was. 

Sounds like an awesome meeting. What are your dreams for the future?

Aanya: I want to get into biomedical engineering to design devices that help people. I also just want to be happy, get over my anxiety and enjoy myself, no matter where I am.

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Support Through the Good and Bad Times

Name: Hideo Beber // Grade: 9th // State: California 

Hi Hideo! When did you start chanting?

Hideo Beber: When I first started playing soccer around first or second grade. I would get nervous about my games, so I started chanting with my family. That’s when I really started chanting on
my own. 

How do you feel chanting has helped you?

Hideo: I usually chant when something’s going on in my life. If I’m injured, for example, chanting helps me recover quickly. Also, if I’m feeling down, I chant. The SGI community is great because no one is negative. Everyone helps you and is always willing to listen. They stay with you through the good and bad times. 

The other day, I shared a Nam-myoho-renge-kyo card with a friend when he was leaving my house. He was having a hard time, and I know that’s when chanting helps me so I told him about it. He still has the card. 

You’re a great friend. Can you tell us about your discussion meetings?

Hideo: I’ve always gone to the meetings, but when I was younger, I would go to the other room and do something else while the meeting was happening. Now, I love participating because they are always creative and involve the youth.

How so? 

Hideo: At the March meeting, for instance, the emcees had a pot, and every aspect of the meeting was an ingredient. So, the study was pork, let’s say. In the end, all of the ingredients made pork soup.

Pork soup was given to the 6,000 youth at the March 16 meeting in 1958, when second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda entrusted the youth with the mission to accomplish kosen-rufu. So we got to learn about that.

Another time, we did a cool introduction to Buddhism by presenting different items (like prayer beads) and asking the audience if they knew what those items represented. I like when we do things like that because there is more laughter and interaction, and everyone has fun. 

That sounds like a meeting we’d like to attend. What else do you enjoy about your meetings?

Hideo: I like the experiences. There was an experience given recently by a young woman who talked about how she moved out on her own when she was 18 to pursue singing. It took courage to do that, and I thought that was really cool.

I think discussion meetings stand out from other activities that I’m a part of because at my meetings, they always encourage the young people to talk. The members of my district are always open so I feel like I can be open, too. 

My brother is one year younger than me. During the discussion part of our meetings, my brother shares, too, and I think we get closer because I hear him share things that we don’t usually talk about.

You seem to really enjoy your district. Is there anything you’d like to do to make them more interesting for youth?

Hideo: I really enjoy when we have videos that feature our members. So maybe we can create a video in our district and show it at one of our meetings. We also have youth play music at our meetings, which is really cool.

What are your dreams for the future?

Hideo: I really want to play college soccer and do well in school to find the perfect college for me. In terms of my district, I want to have more youth in our district and continue to have fun activities.

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Feeling Treasured at My Discussion Meetings

Name: Melody Lewis // Grade: 9th // State: Louisiana 

Living Buddhism: Hi Melody! How did you begin your Buddhist practice?

Melody Lewis: I was born into this practice. My grandmother always took me to meetings. I really wasn’t into Buddhism, so at the meetings, I would hang out in the other room with the other kids. But in the 7th grade, I went through a difficult situation at school and was expelled. It was a really tough time, but the members came to visit me, and I was encouraged to chant. From there, I started chanting with my family and got closer to my Buddhist practice. That year, I went to the Junior High and High School Conference at Soka University of America, and that really helped me establish my own faith. 

When you chant, how does it make you feel?

Melody: It makes me feel like everything will be OK, that the problem will be resolved as long as I work hard and make efforts. For example, although I was kicked out of my previous school, chanting helped me build confidence so I could work harder. Now I’m in the honors program at my new school and can graduate early! 

That’s fantastic. Can you share a little about your discussion meetings?

Melody: I really enjoy them. Our district is like family. I think the biggest challenge is that we all love to talk so we always go over time. People feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. I think my favorite parts are listening to the experiences and also the question-and-answer session at the end.

Do you have a lot of youth in your district?

Melody: We have a few, but I’m the one who comes out the most. 

It must be intimidating at times to be the only youth there.

Melody: Oh no. Not at all because I feel really treasured. When I walk in the door, they make me feel so welcomed, and they are genuinely happy that I’m there. I feel like I can talk to any of them if I have a problem.  

You must have some thoughts about making meetings more engaging for youth.

Melody: Honestly, not much! One thing is being able to do more activities where we get to know one another. Also, I think young people are excited about things like youth festivals, food and having more informal get togethers.

What are your dreams for the future?

Melody: I want to become successful. I have a couple of interests—I either want to get into the medical field or become a business owner. I’m also hoping that more youth join our district because it can’t just be me!

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Like Baseball, Everyone Has a Role to Play in the District

Name: Will Rosenberg // Grade: 8th // State: Massachusetts

Hi Will! How did you start practicing Buddhism?

Will Rosenberg: I was born into the practice, but around five years ago, I started chanting on my own because I noticed that chanting made me feel much happier.

How great—what are some of the benefits you’ve received?

Will: This year, I was chanting to get into a high school that I really wanted to get into. And I did! So that turned out really well.

Tell us a little about when you started attending district discussion meetings.

Will: I’ve always gone to them, but three years ago, when my family moved from San Francisco to Boston, that’s when I started participating in activities more. 

Moving must have taken courage on your part. How did your district fit into your
new life?

Will: When I first moved to Boston, everyone was really welcoming. A future division leader at the time came to visit me, and he was really nice. I feel like I can talk to him about anything. 

I’ve been playing baseball for eight years, and it’s a big part of who I am. One thing I like about baseball is how everyone has a role to play, even if it’s small. And if you don’t do a good job in your role, it can have big consequences. Each person has to be on their game, which creates a strong team. 

I think that’s the same for the district. Each person in the district has a role to play to encourage others.

What a great perspective! What does that look like in your district?

Will: Sometimes we have cultural performances. At our last meeting, one of our members who is in a band brought his bandmates and they performed! I also gave my experience at the last meeting, and I’ve emceed a few times.

What do you like most about your discussion meetings?

Will: I like hearing people’s experiences, and I also like that we meet in a small group because I feel more connected to each person. The people in my district live near me, which is cool. I enjoy talking to them after the meetings are over.

What ideas do you have about bringing out more youth to your discussion meetings?

Will: I feel like food would entice youth to go. Also, maybe doing more arts and crafts would attract younger people.

What are your dreams for the future?

 Will: I’m chanting to get taller. Also in the future, I want to play baseball in the major leagues and be successful in my baseball career.

From the June 2025 Living Buddhism