Art
Golden Gate Mentor and Disciple (GGMD) Zone brought together Oakland artists to explore how Buddhism inspires artistic expression and poetic spirit in daily life.
Oakland, Calif.
Blank walls gradually filled with paintings and sculptures as participants arrived for “Art and Buddhism,” an event hosted in February by the Golden Gate Mentor and Disciple Zone (GGMD) at the Oakland Buddhist Center.
The youth leaders who organized the program sought to create an engaging event that reflected the Bay Area’s vibrant art scene, envisioning a meeting that would bring artists together while introducing guests to the spirit of Buddhist practice.
The event drew strong interest with about 130 members and guests attending.
The program began with a half-hour open art show, where attendees walked through the space viewing artwork created by members. The pieces reflected the diversity of the local art community, from paintings and sculptures made with metal and even motorcycle tires.
The event also featured a flamenco dance performance before transitioning into a panel discussion. Five artists shared their artistic medium and talked about where they were from.
The panelists included established and emerging artists, such as professional painters, a welder who creates metal sculptures and a college student studying art and design. When asked how Buddhism influences their work, the artists spoke about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helps them overcome creative blocks, build confidence and find deeper purpose in their art.
Participants shared how meaningful the gathering was. One youth said the event inspired them to start drawing every day. Another reflected that it helped them feel that “the heart of everyone there is really for peace.”
Recognizing that many members in the zone are artists, the team created a program that reflected this strength while staying open and welcoming to the local community. Through events like this, GGMD Zone hopes to continue using art as a universal language to bring people together and share the spirit of Buddhist practice.
Love
Heart-to-heart conversations hosted by the San Francisco Ever-Victorious Zone about romance and self-respect showed how love in Buddhism fosters personal growth.
San Francisco
Pink bows and heart-shaped balloons decorated the room, setting a warm tone for an evening centered on love. In February, the San Francisco Ever-Victorious Zone hosted a Valentine-themed event, “Love and Buddhism,” exploring how Buddhism helps people with dating, relationships and partnerships. The event was held at both the San Francisco Buddhist Center and the Silicon Valley Buddhist Center, welcoming a combined attendance of 75 people, including 17 guests, curious about the Buddhist perspective on love.
At both centers, the emcee opened by stating that from the Buddhist perspective, love begins with respecting our own dignity. “As we celebrate love,” they said, “the greatest love starts from within—believing in our own dignity—and then extends outward to others.”
The participants chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo together, then took part in icebreakers where participants reflected on relationships. The goal was to create a comfortable space where people could be vulnerable and talk openly about a topic that often carries pressure.
The main portion of the gathering was a panel discussion with three speakers representing different ages, gender identities, sexual orientations and relationship experiences. Panelists shared honestly about how Buddhist practice supports them in building healthy relationships and continuing to grow as individuals.
Participants later broke into small discussion groups, and, using Ikeda Sensei’s guidance, reflected on how inner growth and self-respect form the foundation for meaningful relationships.
Organized and led by youth leaders, with the support of the zone men’s and women’s leaders, the gathering launched a series of monthly theme-based meetings exploring how Buddhist practice applies to everyday life.
While the event focused on romantic love, participants also spoke about developing empathy and cultivating compassion for others. People discussed how this topic is not limited to romantic relationships alone but encompasses love for all people.
The events concluded with an encouraging note from youth leaders about the importance of human revolution in building victorious relationships. Participants wrote their goals for relationships on heart-shaped notes before taking home candies and chocolates.
All guests left the San Francisco Buddhist Center and the Silicon Valley Buddhist Center smiling, with one saying, “I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t chant—the world would be more peaceful.” Another said the “SGI community is a loving community.”
Anime
When shared passions become a starting point for dialogue, interests in things like anime can open the door to friendship, courage and the life-affirming philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism.
Washington, D.C.
The SGI-USA Washington, D.C., Buddhist Center buzzed with energy as youth from across the DMV area—D.C., Maryland and Virginia—gathered on March 8 for a unique event connecting anime and Buddhism.
Organized by the Mid-Atlantic Zone (MAZ) youth team, the event was planned by a committee of youth members who wanted to create a fun, welcoming space where friends could connect and naturally encounter the philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism.
Organizers initially set a goal of 30 participants. Their results exceeded expectations when 49 people attended, including many guests experiencing an SGI activity for the first time.
Participants were welcomed with a lively “Get to Know You Bingo” activity, as they moved around the center meeting new people and discovering shared interests. Youth members then gave short presentations about their favorite anime series, sharing clips and explaining how the stories reflect Buddhist ideas such as “changing poison into medicine” and the power of human revolution. Small-group discussions followed, allowing everyone to share their own experiences and reflections.
The program concluded with an enthusiastic anime trivia competition, sparking laughter, friendly rivalry and a sense of camaraderie among everyone present.
Many guests shared how inspired they felt. One youth commented that it was surprising and moving to see how a personal interest like anime could connect to such a profound philosophy.
Behind the scenes, the youth planning committee had united in prayer for the success of the event, while women’s and men’s division members warmly supported by decorating the center and preparing snacks.
Encouraged by the event’s success, youth in the MAZ are determined to continue coming up with creative gatherings where friendships grow and more young people can encounter the hope-filled philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism.
—Nobuyuki Furuta contributed to this article.
March 20, 2026 World Tribune, pp. 6–7
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