Authorechoi

In the wake of my son’s passing, I rise above my pain and discover the beauty of life within.

March is a time to find new ways to revolutionize our discussion meetings.

On Feb. 1, 2025, youth district through national leaders took the Sixth Class Ikeda Wisdom Academy Exam, concluding their study of the first three volumes of Ikeda Sensei’s dialogue series The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra. Starting this month, academy members will launch the seventh class, which focuses on volumes 4 and 5 of the

This new study series aims to answer questions about the basics of the SGI’s practice of Nichiren Buddhism. Sometimes, practicing Buddhism alone might seem more appealing than doing so in a group. Yet Shakyamuni Buddha himself, having tried various solitary and austere practices before attaining enlightenment, realized the importance of practicing Buddhism with others. His

The following message by Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada was translated from the March 2025 issue of the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal, Daibyakurenge.  Nichiren Daishonin declared: “Myo means to revive, that is, to return to life” (“The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 149).  The resilient members

How the ’95 Rugby World Cup inspired reconciliation and then a chain reaction of victory.

The following are excerpts from Ikeda Sensei’s speech at the 73rd Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting, held in Tokyo, on Dec. 16, 1993. It was translated from the April 4, 2018, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun, originally published in the May 11, 2018, World Tribune. A Japanese intellectual recently remarked: “The

Buddhist practice empowers us to positively impact our environment. In this episode, Amber Owens, of Anniston, Alabama, talks about how she uncovered a deep sense of purpose in revitalizing her hometown’s art culture. Click here to watch or listen to the full episode. February 7, 2025 World Tribune, p. 4

The Earth Charter Magazine, from December 2024 features more than 20 photographs by Ikeda Sensei alongside an article on founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi’s work on geography. The article’s preface describes photos by Sensei as “symbolizing not only his sensitivity to the beauty of nature, but also his enduring legacy in promoting global peace

Losing all to fire, I rebuild, turning misfortune into fortune.

Stories of friendship, community and successors amid the Los Angeles fires

In volume 28 of  The New Human Revolution, which chronicles the Soka Gakkai’s history, Ikeda Sensei writes of a fire that struck Izu Oshima Island, Japan, and the members’ efforts to rebuild their lives and spread hope in their communities. Sensei appears in the novel as Shin’ichi Yamamoto. On Jan. 11, 1965, a major fire

This new study series aims to answer questions about the basics of the SGI’s practice of Nichiren Buddhism. The short answer is that meditation and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo both encourage self-reflection, but they have different goals and effects on our lives.  Research shows that, when done in moderation, meditation can help calm the mind, reduce stress

How one young man’s sincere actions gave his community and country hope amid devastation.

This February, in celebrating the women of Soka, the following titles will be on sale for a limited time. To the Mothers of Kosen-rufu A small but poignant collection of poetry honoring the women who raise their own families and those who raise the future leaders for peace in their SGI families. $12.00  $5.99 The

The following essay by Ikeda Sensei was translated from the Dec. 11, 2009, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun, originally published in the May 2016  Living Buddhism. Youand I,joyful comradesfrom time without beginning,victorious champions. In his novel Elective Affinities written 200 years ago (in 1809), German author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832)

On Feb. 1, 2025, the SGI-USA will hold the Ikeda Wisdom Academy exam for the sixth class. The exam will be on volumes 1–3 of The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra and will be offered in English only. Here is everything you need to know. ELIGIBILITY The exam is for: district through national youth leaders;

Supporting friends, I heal old wounds—my father’s and my own.

With the SGI-USA’s focus on friendship, community and raising successors, the World Tribune sat down with Renee Benson, the Louisiana-Mississippi Region women’s leader, to hear about their united effort as a Soka community to support youth. World Tribune: Thank you for speaking with us, Renee, on behalf of the members of Louisiana-Mississippi Region. To start,

Q: I’m not sure about my goals for this year, and I’ve yet to achieve some goals from last year. Where should I start? A: An arrow will not hit the target unless we take proper aim. The same is true of chanting. Our prayers come to fruition when we set clear goals, and strive