CategoryFrontline News

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

Starting in March, monthly SGI-USA district study meetings will focus on excerpted passages from the revised edition of The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1. The material will be published monthly in Living Buddhism, beginning with the March 2021 issue. The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace series consists of selected guidances from

As the world continues to face unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the SGI-USA presents a new united action plan for 2021: the HOPE Campaign. The national youth leaders came together to convey its essence. Olivia Saito (SGI-USA Youth Leader): Many of us did not expect the COVID-19 pandemic to continue for this long, not

by The SGI-USA National Team To all members of the SGI-USA, Our efforts to establish the correct teaching for the peace of the land are centered on expanding a network of people committed to doing their human revolution and thereby transforming society. In light of current events, let us reconfirm the Buddhist principle that our

Faith, practice and study constitute the three essential pillars of SGI Nichiren Buddhism, and we can say that Nichiren Daishonin’s writings serve as the underlying foundation for these three pillars. Seeking the greatest way to live, founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi discovered fundamental solutions to life in Nichiren’s writings. He established the Soka Gakkai

The following national appointments were made on Jan. 1: SGI-USA Future Division The Future Division comprises members in elementary, junior high and high schools. The group’s mission is to foster future leaders toward the Soka Gakkai’s 100th anniversary on Nov. 18, 2030. Ai Nishino Young Women’s Future Division Leader SGI-USA Parents Group The Parents Group

Central Executive Committee Report