Authorjhsu

Thirty years later, a look back at the origins of the retreat center.

Ikeda Sensei visited the U.S. 27 times. This year marks 30 years since his final visit in 1996. The following pages recount Sensei’s last trip to America, along with reflections from members on how their encounters with him transformed their lives and have continued to inspire them toward 2028 and beyond.  America is vast. It

Members across the country are striving to share their Buddhist practice with friends in their community. This month, we will hear from two high school division members who are leading the way in these efforts. Sincere and Genuine Conversations Name: Dylan Po // State: California Living Buddhism: Hi Dylan! Thank you for speaking with us. How

Refusing to be defeated by what’s beyond my control, I go all-out in football and school to encourage my friends and ensure a bright future. I’m Spencer Parham of Los Angeles.

This section features Ikeda Sensei’s seminal guidance to the members of the United States. The following is an excerpt of his speech given at an SGI representatives conference in Miami, Florida, February 5, 1993. The full speech can be found in My Dear Friends in America, fourth edition, pp. 258–62.  The day of a new

Gongyo—which includes reciting portions of the “Expedient Means” and “Life Span of the Thus Come One” chapters of the Lotus Sutra morning and evening—is part of daily practice for Nichiren Buddhists. This series carries Ikeda Sensei’s explanations of gongyo. This section, part of the prose section of the “Life Span” chapter, is no longer recited

May is a golden season in Britain, where winter is long. March and April are not yet fully spring. It is May when days grow long and warm. The English expression “March winds and April showers bring May flowers” well describes this transition. … May is a month of youth; it is a time for

Discovering Our Unique Mission by Challenging Ourselves to the Limit

Ikeda Wisdom Academy members: • are group through national youth leaders and all student division members.• should have their own copy of The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 5.• are encouraged to read the assigned material before each meeting. May Syllabus:The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 5, pp. 89–118Part Four: “The Bodhisattva Never

Please present the 3-Minute Gosho (pp. 46–47) at your discussion meetings. For the main study portion of the meeting, you can choose to expand on the 3-Minute Gosho or choose from one of the following: 1) What Do You Think? (pp. 48–49)2) Material from any recent issue of the World Tribune or Living Buddhism. 3-Miunte

Let’s Celebrate By Holding Family Discussion Meetings!

This lecture is part of the “The Buddhism of the Sun—Illuminating the World” series, originally published in the February 2019 Living Buddhism. It can be found in Champions of Hope. Why did the Soka Gakkai appear in the world? What is its fundamental mission? The answer is nothing other than to realize kosen-rufu, the intent

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Ikeda Sensei’s 27th and final visit to the United States in June 1996. Three members recall how his visit impacted their Buddhist practice and lives. And with appreciation for those experiences, how they are participating in the annual May Commemorative Contribution activity to both financially protect and extend

To Unite With Anyone

The student division members across the country are striving at their place of mission to share Buddhism with their friends and on campus through their genuine friendships. This month, we will hear from two student division members who are leading the way in these efforts. Good Friendships Starts from Being Open Name: Kaiya Alger //

Through the power of study and determined prayer, I learn to trust in the power of my own life—to love people as they are and pass that love along. I’m Fumiko Nishino of New York.

This section features Ikeda Sensei’s seminal guidance to the members of the United States. The following is an excerpt of his speech given at the SGI Representatives Conference in Miami, Florida, February 3, 1993. The full speech can be found in My Dear Friends in America, fourth edition, pp. 251–57.  I am sure that the

Gongyo—which includes reciting portions of the “Expedient Means” and “Life Span of the Thus Come One” chapters of the Lotus Sutra morning and evening—is part of daily practice for Nichiren Buddhists. This series carries Ikeda Sensei’s explanations of gongyo. This section, part of the prose section of the “Life Span” chapter, is no longer recited

In the constant flux of human history, power is an illusion. So are gold, fame and even blood ties. Only through the legacy of mentor and disciple is an eternal history born, leaving the names of ordinary people to shine for 10,000 generations and more. My mentor loved castles. Therefore, he named himself Jogai, which

How to not be trapped by overthinking