Authorechoi

How one determination led to a friendship rooted in hope and transformation.

This series, prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department, features timeless stories in Nichiren Daishonin’s writings (also called the Gosho) that continue to offer practical wisdom for us today. In the Lotus Sutra’s fifth chapter, Shakyamuni Buddha presents a parable that tells of a great cloud covering the entire world that sends life-giving rain equally upon

The following is from the August 2026 issue of the Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal. Challenge is the very essence of youth. Through initiatives such as the Future Division Summer Challenge [in Japan], which includes a variety of annual summer contests, our young members—the young saplings of kosen-rufu—are joyfully advancing along the path

What is the correct way of life?What is a true patriot?What is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo? On Aug. 14, 1947, Daisaku Ikeda attended his first Soka Gakkai discussion meeting and posed these three questions to second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda. Amid the ruins of a war-torn, defeated Japan, 19-year-old Daisaku was earnestly searching for a sound life

Heart of a Lion King contains selected passages from Nichiren Daishonin, organized by theme so you can quickly find the inspiration you’re looking for. Themes include prayer, developing courage, overcoming obstacles and many others. Sidebars throughout the book provide in-depth explanations of historical events as well as lesser known Buddhist concepts. In addition, Ikeda Sensei’s

A new digital map is helping members and guests across the Caribbean find their local organization, creating new opportunities for connection and growth.

Pacific Zone members celebrate victories and launch the next chapter of ‘One Youth. Infinite Hope.’

A quilt stitched by hand. A rug filled with colorful flowers. Through her detailed artwork, Ruth M. Barnes captured the beauty of everyday American folk traditions and preserved them as art. Her work was created in connection with the Index of American Design. Barnes was born in 1880 in Pennsylvania. She created watercolor, gouache, pen-and-ink

Battling to trust people again, I find in prayer the trust I’d lost in myself.

The Buddhability App was launched on July 31 alongside their podcast episode featuring Bridgerton star Claudia Jessie. Why a Buddhability app? Many people first discover Buddhability through its podcast or social media but don’t personally know an SGI member who can chant with them or answer their questions. This extended into an idea for an

The following is an excerpt from the SGI (Soka Gakkai International) Global Perspectives Committee statement issued on July 23, 2026, ahead of the Seventh Review Conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons that is scheduled for November 2026. The committee issues statements suggesting approaches for the resolution of pressing global challenges, building upon ideas

I am deeply saddened to share the news that former SGI General Director Yoshitaka Oba passed away on July 30, at the age of 84. Mr. Oba served as SGI general director for two decades from 2004 to 2024. Throughout that time, he devoted himself tirelessly to encouraging members around the world and helped build

From July to November, the SGI-USA women are studying Ikeda Sensei’s lecture series The Five Eternal Guidelines of the Soka Gakkai at our America Victory Daimoku Group chanting sessions. The study passage for September follows. Life is a series of unexpected challenges. What matters most is not whether we encounter difficulties but how we respond

On Saturday, Aug. 15, 1964, the World Tribune printed its first edition—a four-page tabloid with the first three pages in English and the fourth in Japanese. With headlines such as “Respect for Job Should Be Same as That Shown Toward Gohonzon” and “Prayer, Faith, Unity and Study—Keys to Our Own Happiness,” it communicated to the

The following is from The World of Nichiren Daishonin’s Writings, vol. 3, published in Japanese in March 2005. It can be found in The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, chapter 8, installment 5, pp. 258–60. Illness is not a sign of defeat or misfortune. For those dedicated to the Mystic

This study series covers Soka Spirit topics to be presented by a youth or student division member at Soka 2030 meetings on the last Sunday of each month. Has someone ever done something harmful, leaving you to wonder how they can get away with it? Maybe they acted out of anger, selfishness or ignorance yet

The following is from a speech at a general meeting in Wakayama, Japan, on March 24, 1988. It can be found in The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, chapter 8, installment 4, pp. 256–58. Referring to Nichiren Daishonin’s writings, Ikeda Sensei affirms that Buddhism enables us to change illness into

The following is from a speech at a leaders training course in Nagano, Japan, on Aug. 15, 2005. It can be found in The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, chapter 8, installment 3, pp. 254–55. Daimoku is the wellspring that enables us to face illness and transform it into an

From delicate roses to tranquil landscapes, Patty Prather Thum captured the quiet beauty of nature while helping pave the way for women artists at the turn of the 20th century. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1853, Thum discovered her artistic talent early in life. Her mother gave Thum her first drawing lessons, sparking her interest

Nuuanu Chapter welcomes 13 new members in 2026.