CategoryBuddhist Study

Daisaku Ikeda was in his late teens when World War II ended. Amid the chaos and uncertainty of postwar Japan, he at times found solace in music. “Listening to the masterworks of Beethoven … was a source of incredible encouragement,” he says. “It infused me with the strength I needed to get through those extremely

Concept #2: Changing Poison Into Medicine

Concept #1: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

Joju jinjin. Mi-zo-u ho.

Most of us started practicing Nichiren Buddhism because someone encouraged us to give it a try. Their actions exemplify the founding spirit of Buddhism. Shakyamuni Buddha engaged countless people in dialogues to awaken them to their enlightened potential. Nichiren Daishonin took up this effort, giving his life to spreading the teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to open

Each year in the SGI, we welcome May 3, Soka Gakkai Day, in the same way that we celebrate New Year’s Day. For us, not only is May 3 a time to appreciate how our Buddhist practice has enhanced our lives, it is also a time to refresh our resolve to widely share Nichiren Buddhism

April 24, 1979—On this day, Daisaku Ikeda, having served for 19 years as third Soka Gakkai president, announced that he would step down. He had sought for some time to entrust the presidency and the Soka Gakkai’s management to able successors. This decision came at a crucial time and served to protect the Soka Gakkai

Despite the problems in today’s world, SGI-USA members have continued, without skipping a beat, to share Buddhism for the peace and harmony of society. Since the start of this year, our Soka movement has been soaring to new heights—most recently, with more than 10,000 youth participating in meetings commemorating March 16, Kosen-rufu Day. This is

Myosho fu mon. Joju jinjin. Mi-zo-u ho.

How do we continue developing ourselves and gaining benefit in faith throughout our lives? We can learn from the countless examples of those who have committed themselves heroically to creating a peaceful world by spreading Buddhism and supporting the Soka Buddhist community. We can also learn from negative examples: unscrupulous people who, controlled by the

People begin practicing Buddhism for many reasons. Some come to Buddhism hoping to overcome a problem. Others are attracted to it because of its philosophy. And others find solace, clarity or energy from the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. No matter what drew them to it, many attest to experiencing benefits from their Buddhist practice. So

Great joy [is what] one experiences when one understands for the first time that one’s mind from the very beginning has been a Buddha. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the greatest of all joys. (The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, pp. 211–12) Nichiren Buddhism teaches us how to develop a profound sense of happiness and purpose regardless

Nichiren Daishonin taught that, based on faith in the Lotus Sutra and the Mystic Law, all people equally have the ability to bring forth their innate enlightenment and achieve the same life state as the Buddha. The Soka Gakkai emerged in modern times to spread those teachings as a practical means for all people to

Greek philosopher Aristotle once said that for a person to be happy, they will need virtuous friends. Today, too, many are earnestly seeking a supportive community in which people of virtue offer mutual support and inspiration to one another. As Shakyamuni Buddha said, “Having good friends and advancing together with them is not half the

Iron, when heated in the flames and pounded, becomes a fine sword. (“Letter from Sado,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 303) Making a sword involves forging iron, and tempering and folding it repeatedly to eliminate internal voids, weaknesses and impurities, increasing its structural strength. In the same way, when we repeatedly challenge

Yumyo shojin.

Nov. 28, 2021, will mark 30 years since the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood excommunicated 10 million SGI members, signifying our spiritual independence from the authoritarian priesthood. Leading up to this anniversary, this series will focus on important themes and events related to the priesthood issue based on key excerpts from The New Human Revolution, volume 30.

Gratitude is a positive emotion that has long been seen by religious leaders, philosophers and many others as an important virtue. A quick glance at the world today, however, may give us a sense that it is in short supply. At the same time, science has begun to acknowledge the tangible benefits of gratitude. Studies

“The Future Is Yours to Change”

Become the master of your mind rather than let your mind master you. (“Letter to the Brothers,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 502) As 2020 comes to a close, we continue to face uncertainties amid the unprecedented global coronavirus pandemic. For many people, each day might be likened to an internal boxing match between