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Love should help you grow as a person; it should invigorate you and help you realize your full potential. This is the basic premise. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 381

These small gatherings are microcosms of human harmony. They are democracy in action. They are the heartbeat of kosen-rufu, linking faith, families, and local communities. They are filled with the sincere spirit—the spirit of the Lotus Sutra—to help all our precious fellow members and friends become happy. The Lotus Sutra, the ultimate teaching of Shakyamuni

Through conversations at discussion meetings and other small gatherings, individuals gained understanding and conviction in the validity of Nichiren Buddhism. They then exerted themselves in Buddhist practice and personally experienced the benefit of faith in their lives. This, in turn, brought in a fresh wave of new members. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and

This happened in the cold month of February 1952, the month of Mr. Toda’s fifty-second birthday. I proclaimed Mr. Toda’s message far and wide. I urged the members to follow the path of mentor and disciple. This is because when we align our hearts with the spirit of our mentor for kosen-rufu, the wisdom and

The Daishonin promises that if we share the correct teaching with others, we can change our karma and attain Buddhahood. We therefore engage in propagation activities to transform our karma and become happy. Such efforts also contribute to our friends’ happiness and a peaceful and prosperous society. No task is more sublime or sacred. From

The cherry tree blossoms as a cherry tree, living to fulfill its own unique role. The same is true of the plum, peach, and damson trees. Each of us should do likewise. We each have a unique personality. We have a distinct nature and character, and our lives are each noble and worthy of respect.

Hearing members at discussion meetings and other gatherings relate experiences of how they have turned their lives around through practicing Nichiren Buddhism can also be a major source of inspiration and encouragement. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 393

Why is the Gohonzon important? Because, through having faith in it, we can bring forth the Gohonzon, or the state of Buddhahood, that is inherent in our own lives. The Daishonin states that the Gohonzon is found only in the faith of each one of us (see WND-1, 832). From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness

You are all magnificent, noble Buddhas. You are people with an incredibly precious mission. Don’t compare yourselves to others. Value and accept yourselves for who you are and always strive to develop your own unique potential. And just as each one of you is a Buddha, so is everyone else around you. That’s why it’s

Discussion meetings are the heart of the Soka Gakkai. Mr. Toda often told us: “Mr. Makiguchi always made sure he got to the meeting place before anyone else. When thefirst person arrived, he would engage them in an earnest discussion. When a second and third person arrived, he included them in the conversation, sharing Buddhism

How can human beings themselves change, and how can we gain an understanding of the real nature of life? These are the most fundamental challenges facing humanity. In this respect, the religious revolution we of the Soka Gakkai are carrying out based on the principles of Nichiren Buddhism is key. You are all noble trailblazers

Setting to work at the most difficult times and in the most difficult places is the way to achieve great things, to open a new page of history. We should deeply take to heart this Soka Gakkai spirit. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 259

A capable person is a person of character. Consideration for others, tolerance, self-discipline, and a commitment to truth and justice are just some of the qualities that mark an excellent character, the most priceless possession of a human being. Developing character requires spiritual struggle. It means forging your spirit by challenging your weaknesses and overcoming

I also was alone in supporting Mr. Toda. As his disciple, I did everything I possibly could to assist him. The Soka Gakkai tradition of making February a month of renewed efforts to share Nichiren Buddhism all began from my determination to respond to my mentor. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part

Nichiren Buddhism. Faith enables us to manifest the Gohonzon that exists within us; it allows us to bring forth the diamond-like state of the Buddha and make it shine brightly. Within the depths of our lives, we each inherently possess boundless life force and a wellspring of infinite wisdom. Faith allows us to freely tap

Shin’ichi worked, strove, and fought with the unwavering wish to triumph in every endeavor so that he might bring joy to his mentor, Josei Toda. His mentor was always in his heart. Each day, each moment, was an ongoing dialogue with him. Shin’ichi was also convinced that Toda was aware of all his efforts and

In times of great challenges, we should chant powerful daimoku. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion king. In times of shared adversity, we should use our voices unsparingly to support and encourage our fellow members. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 174

Why is the Soka Gakkai so strongly united? Because its members tirelessly engage in dialogue. They never let up. Whether it comes to organizational unity or harmonyamong all people, the basic principle is the same. It’s important to keep making efforts again and again to reach out and talk with others, creating heart-to-heart bonds basednot

Mr. Toda said to youth division members: “Think about how to change society and what you need to do to build an ideal society! I want you to base all your actions on that larger perspective.” I’d like you, the youth, to lead the way in building an ideal society. I hope you will actively

It was in the midst of such exhaustive efforts to promote dialogue that the SGI was founded thirty years ago on this day, January 26, 1975. The inaugural meeting was held on the island of Guam, site of fierce fighting in World War II, and was attended by the representatives of fifty-one countries and territories.