CategoryFrontline News

by Adin Strauss, Naoko Leslie, Kevin Moncrief, Olivia Saito, Ryo Kuroki, Maya GunaseharanSGI-USA Leaders To our precious SGI-USA members: First of all, allow us to extend one more time a very heartfelt Thank you! for your incredible support during our May Commemorative Contribution period amid these most extraordinary and trying times. It’s been more than five

During a nationwide executive leaders conference on July 8, Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada announced plans for a virtual worldwide youth general meeting to be held in late September. The gathering, which will be hosted by the Soka Gakkai in Japan, will commemorate the 60th anniversary of World Peace Day on Oct. 2. On Oct. 2,

In the midst of the great challenges facing society, 1,181 junior high and high school division (JHHS) members and guests, as well as SGI-USA youth leaders from around the country, joyfully gathered by videoconference on June 28 to celebrate Future Division Month. Under the theme “Suns of Hope: Illuminating the Future Toward 2030,” the participants held

by Naoko LeslieSGI-USA Women’s Leader As we continue to witness the horrendous news of racial discrimination, such as the brutal killing of George Floyd, it is clear that we must strengthen the forces of good and expand the ranks of capable people leading our kosen-rufu movement. On Feb. 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela, a champion of human rights,

by Adin StraussSGI-USA General Director To our wonderful and irreplaceable SGI-USA members, It’s hard to find the words to fully express our gratitude for your sincere participation in this year’s May Commemorative Contribution activity, especially amid times that no one could have anticipated. I am reminded, once again, that the Soka Gakkai remains strong because of the

by Adin StraussSGI-USA General Director We entered June with heart-wrenching images of civil unrest unfolding in cities throughout the U.S., following the death of George Floyd, who died in custody, handcuffed and unarmed. On May 29, the SGI-USA national leadership team responded with a statement in which we expressed our sadness and outrage at this blatant disregard

For the past few days we have been trying to process what we’ve felt upon hearing the news of George Floyd’s death. George Floyd was a son, a family member and a friend. Our condolences are with Mr. Floyd’s family and community as they deal with this tragic loss. This man should not have died. We

by Olivia Saito, Maya Gunaseharan and Ryo KurokiSGI-USA Youth Leaders At the beginning of this significant year of 2020, we, the youth of the SGI-USA, made a call to action—a cry from the depths of our beings to call forth and raise a new generation of peacemakers, who have both the philosophy and means to transform our

by Naoko LeslieSGI-USA Women’s Leader With the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, our lives as parents have drastically changed—kids have no school, and they are home! In my household, pillow fights have become a daily routine between our teenage daughter, Miki, and second-grade son, Nobuki. Playdates with friends take place via FaceTime, and their teachers began online

by Erica Kondo Assistant Chief Financial Officer On behalf of the SGI-USA, thank you very much for your sincere financial offerings to support the organization. Because of your dedicated efforts, we have accomplished many significant milestones toward the expansion of our kosen-rufu movement in America. Given the rapidly evolving situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, we

by Adin StraussSGI-USA General Director Greetings to everyone on May 3, Soka Gakkai Day—a day of advancement and fresh starts! On this occasion, we celebrate the 69th anniversary of Josei Toda’s inauguration as second Soka Gakkai president (in 1951) and the 60th anniversary of Ikeda Sensei succeeding his mentor as the third president (1960). And in

Through reading The Human Revolution and The New Human Revolution, the history of kosen-rufu and the Soka Gakkai spirit will be transmitted, together with the mentor’s heart, eternally from generation to generation.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai’s founding, the 60th anniversary of Daisaku Ikeda’s inauguration as third president, as well as 60 years since he traveled to the U.S. on October 2, 1960, as his first step to spread the life-affirming teaching of Nichiren Buddhism throughout the world. In this most auspicious

Advancing toward May 3, let’s enable 6,000 youth to start chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and elevate the life state of humanity.

What’s the significance of this year’s May Contribution activity?  This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai’s founding, the 60th anniversary of Daisaku Ikeda’s inauguration as third president, as well as 60 years since he traveled to the U.S. on Oct. 2, 1960, as his first step to spread the life-affirming teaching of

When is the May Commemorative Contribution campaign? April 28–June 7April 24 Online Contribution Begins What’s the significance of this year’s May Contribution Activity? This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai’s founding, the 60th anniversary of Daisaku Ikeda’s inauguration as third president, as well as 60 years since he traveled to the U.S.

With the suspension of all in-person organizational activities, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in SGI-USA Zoom videoconferences. While technology can bring people together, it cannot replace the heart of Soka, which is to connect one to one. SGI President Ikeda emphasizes this point using the analogy of cells in a

What are we commemorating? The May Commemorative Contribution is an opportunity for us to refresh our bodhisattva vow to advance kosen-rufu in the month that Daisaku Ikeda was inaugurated the third Soka Gakkai president on May 3, 1960. He was 32 years old. This year marks the 60th anniversary of that historic day. Only five

by Naoko Leslie SGI-USA Women’s Leader To our precious and irreplaceable SGI-USA members, Thank you very much for your tremendous efforts each day to encourage fellow members, family and friends by connecting one to one, life to life, using the voice of the Buddha to expand hope in this time of uncertainty with the COVID-19

The SGI-USA has reached millions of people online through sgi-usa.org and worldtribune.org, as well as its presence on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and its podcast “Buddhist Solutions for Life’s Problems.” Many members have been reconnected to the SGI, and many guests have been introduced to the SGI through these channels. In addition, current SGI-USA members benefit