The Young Women’s Division #2 Conference
From Oct. 17 to 20, 153 young women’s division (YWD) members joyfully gathered for the YWD #2 Conference at the Florida Nature and Culture Center (FNCC). The conference opened with heartfelt words from Vice SGI-USA and West Territory Young Women’s Leader Apoorvee Sawhney, and Vice SGI-USA and East Territory Young Women’s Leader Minami Okajima, who praised the participants for their determination to attend, despite the challenges each had faced.
They quoted from Nichiren Daishonin’s letter to the mother of Oto, a woman who, together with her small child, traveled a long and arduous journey from Kamakura to Sado to visit Nichiren during his exile. Nichiren wrote, “Now here is a woman who, longing for the Lotus Sutra, will surely become a Buddha” (“Letter to the Mother of Oto,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 1030).
In this same spirit, the young women fought courageously and overcame their own journeys to arrive—facing financial hardships, work or family challenges and even broader societal obstacles, such as immigration difficulties and government shutdowns. Sawhney and Okajima reassured the participants that by seeking the Buddha’s teachings amid various challenges, they had already made the greatest cause for lasting happiness.
Throughout the conference, participants were encouraged to feel at home and build deep bonds of friendship with the other participants.
The first session started with a lecture on “The Opening of the Eyes,” by Sawhney, Okajima and SGI-USA Vice Women’s Leader Renu Debozi.
Debozi emphasized two key points:
1. Three thousand realms in a single moment of life (the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds)—that every person possesses infinite potential in each moment.
2. The importance of making a vow—that victory comes from a determination rooted in compassion for others.
In addition to the lecture, participants enjoyed Q&A sessions, and enjoyable activities including moonlight yoga, karaoke, bingo and a powerful Byakuren session on Sunday.
The behind-the-scenes group session, led by the Central and SoCal-Pacific Territory YWD leaders, featured four young women who shared their heartfelt experiences of personal transformation through Byakuren activities. Each story described how serving others became a form of profound life training—helping them strengthen their faith, confidence and compassion. The session concluded with practical training and determinations from the participants to win in their local organizations.
As the conference drew to a close, the young women left with one key takeaway, a quote Ikeda Sensei said he had engraved in his heart in his youth: “If you want to conquer the world, conquer your own despair” (Jan. 8, 2021, World Tribune, Future Division insert, p. H). They resolved to write the “most wonderful stories” of their lives based on the shared bond of mentor and disciple.
Narumi Nekpenekpen
Long Beach, Calif.
After taking on a new leadership role as a region young women’s leader in 2024, I struggled with showing up authentically because I wanted to live up to others’ expectations and constantly prove myself. I realized that even though I firmly stand by our philosophy of respecting the dignity of life, I was subconsciously slandering my own life by not being myself and finding comfort in making vapid decisions based on my low life condition.
At the FNCC, I felt Ikeda Sensei’s compassion everywhere, and my heart opened. Being there made me feel safe—from the personal guidance opportunity, Q&A, the on-call nurse—everything was so thoughtfully put together for the participants. I developed deep appreciation knowing that Sensei built the FNCC for all SGI members to enjoy and connect with one another. I naturally developed deep bonds of sisterhood, and though we had just met, we were joking, laughing and having heart-to-heart dialogues as if we’d known each other for years! It was so clear to me how joyous and beautiful life is when I show up as my authentic self! I vowed to keep fighting and showing up as myself for kosen-rufu, no longer slandering my precious life.
My determination moving forward is to joyfully nurture friendships and camaraderie with all the young women in my region, and win in all aspects of my life, just as I am!
Kaitlin Todd
Gretna, La.
The YWD #2 Conference was my first time at the FNCC, and it was such an encouraging experience! Leading up to it, I wasn’t sure I could attend due to finances. After receiving encouragement from a senior in faith, I chanted with the determination to make it happen and attend the conference no matter what. A refund I’d been chanting for arrived on the same day I determined to register, allowing me to pay my mortgage and register for the conference!
Throughout the conference, I met amazing young women from all over the country, and it reminded me how deeply we’re connected through our shared struggles. The Byakuren training sessions were really helpful in allowing me to understand the behind-the-scenes group spirit of taking initiative for kosen-rufu and the benefit of supporting others. I left the conference feeling encouraged to continue fighting for kosen-rufu with Ikeda Sensei’s spirit in my heart and bring that same spirit back home!
The Young Men’s Division #2 Conference
Mission. What is my mission? What is the mission of youth? What is the mission of America?
From Oct. 24 to 27, young men’s division members across the SGI-USA gathered at the Florida Nature and Culture Center to refresh their determination, build genuine friendships and study about mission. All 24 zones of the SGI-USA were represented, including members from Hawaii, Puerto Rico and St Martin.
SGI-USA Men’s Leader James Herrmann centered the conference and held many Q&A sessions with the young men, who asked questions about work, relationships and conviction, among other topics. Herrmann empowered the young men to understand that they were the ones who must now take the lead for kosen-rufu.
SGI-USA Young Men’s Leader Kenichi Hackman presented on Ikeda Sensei’s lecture in the October Living Buddhism. He talked about faith and mentor and disciple, and encouraged the young men to win in their current places of mission.
SGI-USA Vice Young Men’s Leader Grady Tesch and West Territory Young Men’s Leader Jiwoo Kim gave a presentation on “Buddhism in America,” which highlighted Sensei’s 27 visits to the U.S. and some of the key events, speeches and awards that took place in America. East Territory Young Men’s Leader Cam Morose and SoCal-Pacific Territory Young Men’s Leader Max Heine presented on the “Mission of Youth,” which delved into the five guidelines for SGI-USA youth division members that Sensei presented to the youth in 2011.[1] Both of these sessions incorporated discussion groups and allowed the young men to make new friends.
In addition to these sessions, the young men participated in territory competitions (which included push-ups, planking, trivia, tug-of-war and much more), rotational activities, a viewing of Traveler for Peace, a sports tournament and plenty of free time.
In Hackman’s presentation, he encouraged the young men to go “ALL-IN” on their practice, uniting with the men who rallied around the same phrase at the men’s conference in October. The young men accepted their mission: to go ALL-IN, demonstrating the power of faith and showing the greatness of Sensei by winning in their daily lives. In addition, the young men determined to go ALL-IN to have the most victorious November discussion meetings and report victory to Sensei in their hearts!
Brian Kenney
Cape Cod, Mass.
By the morning that I was scheduled to leave for the FNCC, my cat had not eaten for three days. The veterinarian told me to either get ready to spend a lot of money to save him or say goodbye.
When I arrived at the FNCC, my heart was still at home with my cat. Friday evening, I was chanting to save my cat when I came to the realization that the only way I could win was to become happy no matter what was going on in life.
During the conference someone asked, “We have confidence [in the Mystic Law], but do we have conviction?” That sent a shockwave through my heart. I realized I must be free of doubt in my prayer and in myself! Then to really cement this newfound conviction, I watched our SGI-USA East Territory young men’s leader challenge himself to not give up during a tug-of-war and win against his opponent. I was so encouraged by his persevering spirit! It helped me refresh my determination to continue on my path and win!
I left wanting to introduce many to this empowering practice to show my gratitude, and I’m happy to report that my cat has fully recovered!
Sandeep Ramanathan
Seattle
This conference has become a turning point in my faith and determination.
We were encouraged to focus on five things: 1) chant abundant daimoku, 2) set clear determinations, 3) ask deep questions, 4) strengthen friendships and 5) deepen our bond with Ikeda Sensei. Chanting together with so many brothers in faith was electrifying—it felt like our lives were opening from the inside out.
I was also able to ask personal questions to a senior in faith. His guidance reminded me that Sensei achieved the impossible because he refused to place limits on himself—something I needed to hear as I’ve been struggling to balance work, life and health. Even with very little sleep going into the conference, I left feeling more energized than when I arrived.
Most importantly, I reconnected with Sensei’s heart and renewed my vow to fight for kosen-rufu in Seattle. I returned home determined to transform my workplace and lead with compassion—the most powerful form of victory.
November 21, 2025 World Tribune, pp. 6–7
References
- See Aug. 15, 2024, World Tribune, p. 29. ↩︎
You are reading {{ meterCount }} of {{ meterMax }} free premium articles