CategoryFrontline News

The SGI-USA continues to closely monitor CDC and local government guidelines amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and is eager to reopen Buddhist centers across the country when deemed safe. In the meantime, in-person activities are still on hold, but we will keep you informed of updates and developments. Currently, the SGI-USA bookstores at centers in

May Commemorative Contribution: April 24–June 6

May Contribution: April 24-June 6

Uniting Around the Hope Campaign As the world continues to face unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the SGI-USA introduced the united daily action plan for 2021: the HOPE Campaign. (Learn more, Feb. 5, 2021, World Tribune, p. 8.) Sharing Buddhability With Youth Guests How do you share Buddhism with the least religious generation in

March 28—Motivated by a desire to learn more about pursuing higher education at Soka University of America, over 1,000 elementary and junior high school division members, as well as their families and supporters, joined a virtual nationwide webinar hosted by the SGI-USA future division. Ikeda Sensei established SUA’s undergraduate program in 2001 in Aliso Viejo,

A report on the March Youth General Meetings.

Nanami Vittor joins the Many Treasures Group (MTG) national team as the newly appointed SGI-USA vice women’s MTG leader. Mrs. Vittor lives in Ellicott City, Maryland, and also serves as the Mid-Atlantic Zone vice women’s leader. She started her Buddhist practice with the Soka Gakkai in 1967 in Japan and has since practiced in several

A year ago, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to shelter in place, a slow and steady undercurrent began to take shape in our SGI community. Guests who were introduced to the practice began meeting regularly, sometimes even weekly, with local members to learn more about Buddhism and how to apply it to their lives.

The May Commemorative Contribution activity (April 24–June 6) is an opportunity for us to renew our bodhisattva vow to advance our movement for peace in the same month that Ikeda Sensei was inaugurated the third Soka Gakkai president on May 3, 1960. As we continue our important work to support the practice and development of

Perhaps because of our move to hold virtual meetings since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been growing interest in finding online Buddhist groups, forums and websites that discuss Nichiren Buddhism and its practice. Many such groups start with good intentions, with some drifting off track over time. And still others are started

This month marks the beginning of our annual May Commemorative Contribution activity. Living Buddhism spoke with Naoko Leslie, SGI-USA women’s leader, and Kevin Moncrief, SGI-USA men’s leader, about how they are challenging themselves in this crucial Year of Hope and Victory. Kevin Moncrief: Hi, Naoko. Congratulations on the success of the women’s gatherings in February!

As we prepare to go out into the world, how do we use our Buddhist practice to address these times of great uncertainty—from joblessness and hopelessness to the climate crisis, social injustices and more? SGI-USA student division members from across the country will discuss this salient topic at their spring semester lecture, which will be

In its first quarterly conference of the year, held virtually on March 6, the SGI-USA Central Executive Committee affirmed the SGI-USA’s strong focus for 2021 on sharing Buddhism as a part of daily practice and fostering youth toward the Soka Gakkai’s centennial in 2030. Following are highlights, plus messages from the national leadership team. “Raising

by Naoko Leslie and Maya GunaseharanSGI-USA Women’s and Young Women’s Leaders Congratulations on the most dynamic SGI-USA Women’s Day introduction-to-Buddhism celebrations, which were held across the country Feb. 25–28! There were countless stories of individuals breaking through in their lives by challenging themselves to share Buddhism in their communities. It was as if every discussion

SGI-USA youth throughout the nation will participate virtually in local March Youth General Meetings from March 20 to 31. The activity is for members and guests from junior high school age to 35 years old. A major aspect of these gatherings will be discussion spaces, where the youth can extend their hand to their friends

Celebrating Kosen-rufu Day with youth general meetings.

Starting this month, our monthly SGI-USA district study meetings will focus on new material. Here’s what you need to know. Q. What will we be studying? A. We will study excerpts from the revised edition of The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace series. Q. What is the series about? A. The Wisdom for Creating

The First SGI Online Study Lecture

by Naoko Leslie SGI-USA Women’s Leader Between Feb. 25 and 28, we will celebrate SGI-USA Women’s Day (Feb. 27) with women’s and young women’s introductory Buddhist meetings held locally across the country. These gatherings are open to all women and young women, as well as their guests. So far this year, I have been challenging

In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic halting activities in early 2020, members have continued to engage in one-to-one encouragement and help their friends start practicing Nichiren Buddhism. From the small western Pacific island of Guam—where Ikeda Sensei established the SGI in 1975—Marianas Region Young Men’s Leader Peter Patrick Salas and Leonard-John Ventura, a young man