CategoryCheck It Out

The most distant star ever seen, Earendel, was recently discovered after being photographed by the Hubble Space Telescope. The star is an estimated 12.9 billion light years away, nearly 4 billion light years farther than the next known most distant star. Earendel was visible thanks to a rare alignment with another galaxy that functioned as

In October 2020, the SGI-USA created the “Advance Together” line for blind and low-vision members and guests who wish to listen to select articles from the SGI-USA publications. Since then, the line has been updated weekly with new content from the World Tribune and Living Buddhism. At the request of those who use the line,

Virgin Islands National Park occupies two thirds of St. John, one of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The park’s 7,259 acres of terrestrial habitat feature mountainous landscapes and white sand beaches, but 40 percent of the park is under water, where sea turtles, manta ray, coral and mangroves alike find their home. —Prepared by the World

The World Tribune has launched its revamped website, worldtribune.org, plus a newmobile app that enables subscribers to read and listen to their SGI-USA publications on the go.   The new site includes sections for the weekly newspaper World Tribune and monthly study magazine Living Buddhism as well as expanded resources. Subscribers can enjoy one-stop shops

Ikeda Sensei’s wide-ranging discussions with British historian Arnold J. Toynbee, published in book form as Choose Life, paved the way for his dialogues with other leading thinkers around the world. To watch a video on their encounters, visit daisakuikeda.org.

The World Tribune this month is launching its revamped website, worldtribune.org, plus a new mobile app that enables subscribers to read and listen to their SGI-USA publications on the go. Some of the exciting new changes: Website: The new site includes sections for the weekly newspaper World Tribune and monthly study magazine Living Buddhism as

May 3, Soka Gakkai Day, is considered New Year’s Day in the SGI, a time when members stand up with fresh resolve to strive for peace and the happiness of all people. The cover photos of the sunrise across the U.S. leading up to May 3 signify a new dawn for everyone.

Haleakalā (House of the Sun), also known as the East Maui volcano, is a central feature of Haleakalā National Park. One of the world’s largest dormant volcanic craters lies atop Haleakalā’s 10,023-foot-summit. The juxtaposition of volcanic landscapes and subtropical rainforest makes for an unforgettable experience. The national park is also home to some endangered species

The Gateway Arch, nestled on the west bank of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, is named for the city’s role as the “Gateway to the West” during the U.S. westwardexpansion and celebrates the pioneers who helped shape the city’s history. The Gateway Arch National Park includes the Old Courthouse, where Dred Scott first sued

Located in Page, Arizona, within the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation, Antelope Canyon consists of two sections. The upper canyon—elevated at about 4,000 feet with sandstone walls reaching 120 feet above the streambed—is referred to by the Navajo as Tse’bighanilini, which means “the place where water runs through rocks.” The lower canyon (pictured) is

Rocky Mountain National Park commands stunning views of its 415 square miles of land and mountain crests towering over 12,000 feet. It is also one of the highest national parks in the country, with elevations from 7,860 to 14,259 feet. The Continental Divide, a portion of which is reflected in Bierstadt Lake (pictured), runs approximately

Described as a “red-rock wonderland,” Arches National Park—located in southeast Utah, five miles north of Moab—is home to striking landscapes 65 million years in the making. This includes over 2,000 natural sandstone arches and massive balanced rocks.   The park’s crown jewel is Delicate Arch (see image), a 52-foot-tall freestanding arch widely celebrated as the

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve spans over 70,000 acres in West Virginia, protecting one of the oldest rivers in the Americas. The gorge can be traced back 500 million years to water draining from the slopes of the newly formed Appalachian Mountains. Because the river is so old, unique plant and animal species,

In the middle of the Tularosa Basin sits the world’s largest gypsum sand dune field, covering over 275 square miles of desert in New Mexico. Gypsum, a soft mineral left behind when water evaporates, rarely appears as sand. However, about 12,000 years ago, as the climate warmed, rain and snowmelt washed gypsum from the surrounding

Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its crimson-colored rock spires called hoodoos. The park, situated on 35,000 acres in southwestern Utah, has more hoodoos than anywhere in the world.—Prepared by the World Tribune staff

Register for these in-person conferences through the SGI-USA portal. May 13–16 Young Men’s Division #1 (Chapter Through National Leaders) May 20–23 District Leader’s Training #1 June 3–6 Courageous Freedom Group July 8–11 Young Women’s Division #1 (Chapter Through National Leaders) July 22–25 Transforming Karma Into Mission #1 Aug. 5–8 Practicing Buddhism as People of African Descent

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial, built between 1939 and 1943 in Washington, D.C., honors the third president of the United States. Covering 19.2 acres, the park centers on the white marble neoclassical monument that houses a bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson. It honors the president’s ideals of beauty, science, learning, culture and liberty.—Prepared by the World

An unprecedented two-year pause in conferences at the Florida Nature and Culture Center (FNCC) was difficult for many members. However, pandemic conditions provided an ideal opportunity to modernize and beautify the campus, its first significant renovation.  Of note are the installations of a new ceiling and flooring in the dining hall, as well as new

Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, spans 1.5 million acres at the southern tip of Florida. The American alligator, the endangered leatherback turtle, Florida panther and West Indian manatee are among the diverse wildlife that make this wetland preserve their home. —Prepared by the World Tribune staff

A $7 monthly option for the SGI-USA publications is now here! The annual subscription, broken down into monthly payments, gives subscribers access to the print editions of World Tribune and Living Buddhism, the online editions and the new World Tribune app to be released in April. This plan works for subscriptions made with a credit