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While William H. Johnson (1901–70) is considered a major American artist, his works, characterized by their stunning folk-art simplicity, only recently received their due. Johnson was born in rural South Carolina to a working-class African American family. By age 17, he moved to New York to find work, with the aim of saving up money

Sam Francis, the American painter and printmaker, is celebrated for his vibrant use of color and expansive, luminous canvases. Widely regarded as one of the leading interpreters of color and light in modern art, Francis left an indelible mark on Abstract Expressionism. Born Samuel Lewis Francis on June 25, 1923, in San Mateo, California, he

The World Tribune sat down with the leaders of the SGI-USA Courageous Freedom Group, which supports LGBTQ+ members, to learn about its unique mission and the crucial role it plays in introducing young people to the humanistic and empowering tenets of Nichiren Buddhism. Hello Briana, Ericka, Jay, Ron and Selina. Thank you speaking with us

by Los Angeles Pan-Pacific Zone team What area does your zone serve? We have the most incredible bodhisattvas practicing in 83 districts that span coastal areas from the scenic beach city of Malibu, to the north, to Long Beach, an urban hub with one of the busiest ports in the world, to the south. Tell

To our treasured SGI-USA members, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support of this year’s May Commemorative Contribution activity. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the SGI’s establishment, a significant milestone in our kosen-rufu movement of which we all take great pride. Meeting and speaking with many of you, I have

Actor and humanitarian Orlando Bloom served as the keynote speaker for the Soka University of America 2025 Commencement Ceremony on May 23 at the university’s Soka Performing Arts Center. Following is an excerpt from his address. by Orlando Bloom I imagine you are all feeling a mixture of curiosity, excitement and, I hope, a sense

Soka University of America graduates the Class of 2025.

Drawing on the strength of countless friends, I see my daughter to victory.

Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada on May 9 sent a congratulatory message on behalf of Soka Gakkai members throughout the world to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, on his election the day before as the 267th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. In the message, President Harada stated that the appointment signified a “new and

Ikeda Sensei gave the following speech at a meeting in Nagano, Japan, Aug. 6, 2005. It can be found in The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 31–33. Happiness is a function of our state of mind. This is why the Soka Gakkai movement, which embraces the philosophy that “it

Ikeda Sensei gave the following speech at an SGI-Canada general meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Oct. 1, 1993. It can be found in The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 29–31. Nichiren Buddhism teaches that inherent in the lives of all people is the life state of Buddhahood, which

Opening Yourself Up to Perspectives and People Truly hearing and seeing someone else can be tough. Especially if we think we’re in the right or know best. Fortunately, Buddhist practice helps us to open our minds with wisdom and compassion. Marko Bajkovic, of Costa Mesa, California, shares how seeing past his ego helped him embrace

Giving advice and hope to the younger generation.

by Erica KondoAssistant Chief Financial Officer On behalf of the SGI-USA, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment and generous financial contributions, which play a crucial role in advancing our movement for peace in the United States and the Caribbean. In 2024, the support from our members accounted for over 85%

The Many Treasures Group has a mission to pass on their conviction in faith to many young people.

Repaying my debt of gratitude, I transform my life and the lives of those around me.

ALISO VIEJO, Calif.—The Soka Institute for Global Solutions (SIGS) held the second in a three-part symposia on Peace and Reconciliation in East Asia from April 17 to 19 at Soka University of America (SUA) in Aliso Viejo, California. The symposium, which centered on approaches to peacebuilding based on East Asia’s historical context, brought together SUA

The following are excerpts from Ikeda Sensei’s speech at the Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting held at the Soka International Friendship Hall in Tokyo, on July 16, 2003. Video footage of the speech was broadcast during the Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting on April 12, 2025. The excerpts were translated from the April 28, 2025,

Ikeda Sensei gave the following speech on Feb. 6, 1994, at a Soka Gakkai Thailand general meeting in Bangkok. It can be found in The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 1–5. Ikeda Sensei’s conception of happiness is an inspiring teaching for all, imparting courage to those overwhelmed by suffering

ALISO VIEJO, Calif.—A clear trend has emerged among Soka students: Between 70% and 80% will enter the workforce upon graduation. In today’s rapidly shifting job market, even the most well-prepared graduates can feel uncertain about the next steps after earning their degree. To bridge this gap, Soka University of America (SUA) has launched the Career