Authorechoi

Duy Dao grew up in Vietnam, where he recalls his parents and most people being generally Buddhist. When he joined the SGI last year in Los Angeles, he took the Introductory Exam soon after. Studying for it, Dao said, enabled him to grasp Buddhism in a new light. “The idea that the Buddha nature is

This series highlights how Buddhism can enhance daily living. As Nichiren Daishonin says: “When the skies are clear, the ground is illuminated. Similarly, when one knows the Lotus Sutra, one understands the meaning of all worldly affairs.” In The Boy and the Heron, the 2024 Oscar-winning animated feature by Hayao Miyazaki, 11-year-old Mahito Maki struggles

Paphos, an archaeological property in western Cyprus’s District of Paphos, dates back to the Neolithic period (the New Stone Age). Legends cite it as the birthplace of Aphrodite, a Greek goddess seen as the ideal of beauty and love, and widely known through the influence of Homeric poetry. For centuries, Paphos served as the center

Tackling my doubts with daimoku, I take the stage with a light heart.

The following essay by Ikeda Sensei was originally published in the May 23, 2000, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun. I have written in the past about my daily morning classes at “Toda University,” during which my mentor, Josei Toda, instructed me on a wide variety of subjects. Many other people also

The May Commemorative Contribution activity is an expression of our vow to practice and spread the Mystic Law and our gratitude for the benefit we have gained from doing so. It allows us to financially protect and extend our kosen-rufu movement far beyond our lifetimes. This year’s activity, themed “Advancing Toward 2030 With Joy and

Daily life can feel like a rollercoaster where we’re tossed around by the ups and downs of our health, school, family relationships and so on. Through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we can strengthen our life force and become people unswayed by our circumstances. Koda Jordet, of Fargo, North Dakota, shares how prioritizing his Buddhist practice, mental health

Motivated by his unwavering compassion and commitment to eradicate suffering, Nichiren establishes the teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Youth pledge breakthroughs toward nuclear abolition and climate change.

by Lani ArsenaultBoone, N.C. After my husband retired, we left Virginia in 2019 for the quieter, slower life in Boone, North Carolina—a beautiful town in the mountains. By this point, I’d been practicing Nichiren Buddhism for over 25 years, having overcome lupus, cancer and financial difficulties—all while striving in SGI activities. Honestly, I felt I

This series highlights how Buddhism can enhance daily living. As Nichiren Daishonin says: “When the skies are clear, the ground is illuminated. Similarly, when one knows the Lotus Sutra, one understands the meaning of all worldly affairs.” A rocket’s initial liftoff into space uses millions of horsepower and tons of fuel. Right after liftoff, it

The Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia is known for its two cone-shaped mountains—the Pitons—towering out of its southwest coast. The two volcanic spires, Gros Piton and Petit Piton, standing 2,619 feet and 2,438 feet high, respectively, are managed in an 11.5 square mile reserve, which also protects the neighboring forest, 7 miles of coastline and

The following message by Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada was published in the April 2024 issue of the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal, Daibyakurenge. Seventy years ago, in the month of April, standing at the site of Aoba Castle in Sendai, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda declared: “The Soka Gakkai must build its castle

This series highlights how Buddhism can enhance daily living. As Nichiren Daishonin says: “When the skies are clear, the ground is illuminated. Similarly, when one knows the Lotus Sutra, one understands the meaning of all worldly affairs.” Every relationship went the same way. Family, girlfriends, homies—I drained my energy to appease their needs,” said an

The following essay by Ikeda Sensei was originally published in the Oct. 19, 2001, issueof the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun. The progress of our soul is like a perfect poem. It has an infinite idea which once realized makes all movements full of meaning and joy.” These are the words of the renowned

This Month in Soka Gakkai History 4/2 Josei Toda’s Passing In 1958, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda’s noble life of 58 years came to a close. Carrying on the final injunction of founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Mr. Toda rebuilt the Soka Gakkai and achieved his lifetime membership goal of 750,000 households. (See

It’s natural to want to look away from the inevitable reality of death, but Buddhism teaches that death is an alternate phase of life and makes up a larger universal cycle. To understand death is to deepen our understanding of and appreciation for life. John Plummer, of Cold Spring, New York, shares how facing his

Working with people, I learn to trust them and myself.

When a broad network of youth study Nichiren Daishonin’s writings together, they form a powerful unifying force.

“In the seven years leading to our centennial [in 2030], let us tap even greater wisdom to help people form a connection with Nichiren Buddhism. Let us awaken even greater numbers of people around the world to their Buddha nature. And let us joyfully and courageously bring many new friends to join us in the