by the New Jersey Zone team
What is your zone motto? Raising Capable People in the Garden of Soka With Ikeda Sensei!
Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. New Jersey was previously part of Tri-State Zone, which included New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. In 2010, the zone hosted the East Territory Rock the Era youth festival in Philadelphia. Soon after, in January 2011, Tri-State Zone split and New Jersey Zone was formed.
New Jersey Zone has four regions encompassing the entire state, as well as the Nyack and Valley Cottage areas of upstate New York.
Do you have Buddhist Centers in your zone? Yes, we currently have two Buddhist centers. The zone center is the New Jersey Buddhist Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, serving the northern three regions. We also have a regional center, the South Jersey Buddhist Center in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Does your zone have a particular point of pride? New Jersey has long been a global hub for immigrants—even part of Ellis Island is in New Jersey. Our pride as a zone is our ability to embrace people from all over the world and warmly welcome them into our Soka family.
As the most densely populated state in the U.S., our zone reflects extraordinary diversity, with large communities of Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean and Latino members from the Caribbean, Central America and South America.
We are also proud of our history of fostering capable people—especially youth—who go on to advance kosen-rufu throughout the U.S. and around the world. In 2018, we hosted the northeast venue of the 50K Lions of Justice Festival at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
What is your prime point with Sensei as a zone? Our prime point is rooted in the very place where Sensei began kosen-rufu on the East Coast—Highland Park, New Jersey, on Oct. 14, 1960.
On that day, Sensei attended his first discussion meeting on the East Coast with the determination to open a new chapter of hope, happiness and human revolution for countless people in America.
Because Sensei planted the first seed here, our mission is deeply connected to the starting point of his vow. The enduring spirit of New Jersey has been:
“To raise capable people who can soar into society and lead the way for worldwide kosen-rufu.”
Our prime point is to continually return to Sensei’s vow in Highland Park and inherit his spirit by raising people who bring hope, courage and transformation to society.
Do you have something that is unique to your zone? New Jersey is known as “The Garden State,” but also as the “Birthplace of Modern Innovation.” Thomas Edison built his Menlo Park laboratory in Edison, New Jersey, where he developed the first practical light bulb, the phonograph and early motion picture technology. Bell Labs also made groundbreaking advances in computing, radar and communications, including the invention of the transistor.
Other historical highlights: New Jersey was an early leader in abolishing slavery beginning in 1804. The New Jersey Turnpike opened in 1951. And the state recognized same-sex marriage in 2013.
Fun facts:
•Known as the “Diner Capital of the World” with more than 500 diners
•Home to Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Lauryn Hill, Jon Bon Jovi and SZA
•Home to Princeton and Rutgers universities
•Monopoly is based on Atlantic City
What is your zone’s vision toward 2030? Our vision is to lead the way in raising capable people who come to New Jersey and then go out into society to fulfill their missions as global citizens and disciples of Sensei.
We are determined to unite with the national youth goals toward 2030 and foster young people through deep care and one-to-one dialogue.
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