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Santa Monica, Calif., Jan. 19, 2026—Under the theme “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” the Santa Monica community gathered for the 41st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration—a heartfelt morning of music, reflection and renewed determination to build a more just society. Presented by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Soka University of America alumni Michael Sasaki (Class of 2005) and Miho Saito (Class of 2014) are being recognized internationally for their short film The Brain That Cried Wolf, a work that approaches mental health, identity and fear with honesty, humor and compassion. The film was recently named runner-up for Best LGBTQIA Short Film at

JAN 1 WORLD TRIBUNE New Year’s Message Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada encourages members worldwide to unite in the Year of Soaring Higher Toward a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide, repaying gratitude to Ikeda Sensei through action and actual proof. Highlighting key anniversaries, he stresses spreading the Mystic Law, illuminating a troubled world, deepening unity and

Ikeda Sensei opened the way for global kosen-rufu. Now is the time for genuine disciples to widen and extend that path even further.

by Lillian KoizumiSpecial to the Tribune  At a time when political and social polarization is perceived by many as nearing crisis level in the U.S., a capacity crowd of more than 130 people gathered at the Ikeda Center in late September to consider ways out of this dilemma. The occasion was the 21st Annual Ikeda

Newly appointed SGI-USA Women’s Leader Monica Soto Ouchi gave the following determination at meetings in Los Angeles and Oakland, California, commemorating the 65th anniversary of Ikeda Sensei’s first steps in the U.S. to spread Buddhism around the world. by Monica Soto OuchiSGI-USA Women’s Leader I want to first and foremost express my boundless gratitude to

Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada gave the following address at the SoCal Quint Zones representative leaders meeting, held on Oct. 8, 2025, at the World Culture Center in Santa Monica, California. The meeting commemorated the 65th anniversary of Ikeda Sensei’s first visit to the U.S. to spread Nichiren Buddhism around the world. Many congratulations on

SGI General Director Yoshiki Tanigawa gave the following address at the commemorative meetings in Santa Monica and Oakland, California, marking the 65th anniversary of global kosen-rufu. [Editor’s note: SGI General Director Yoshiki Tanigawa opened his remarks with leadership appointments (see this page). The following is his address thereafter.] Now, I would like to say a

On August 1, 2025, Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada issued the following statement commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a total war that engulfed the populations of countless nations. It is estimated that the casualties—well in excess

How a week in the Amazon changed 13 students’ view of nature.

On Saturday, Aug. 15, 1964, the World Tribune printed its first edition—a four-page tabloid-sized newspaper with the first three pages in English and the fourth in Japanese. With headlines such as “Respect for Job Should Be Same as That Shown Toward Gohonzon” and “Prayer, Faith, Unity and Study—Keys to Our Own Happiness,” it communicated to

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Allen Sánchez recalled his grandfather’s words— how, in the stillness of dawn, on July 16, 1945, he was out milking cows in the New Mexico desert when the sun seemed to rise and set at once. What his grandfather witnessed wasn’t the sun at all, but the Trinity test—the world’s first detonation of a

by Lillian KoizumiSpecial to the Tribune  CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—The Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue hosted its 5th Global Citizens Seminar on June 21, 2025, to explore interdisciplinary approaches to fostering hope, resilience and value creation in the face of interlocking social and political crises. This year, 14 doctoral students joined co-facilitators Tim McCarthy, Ph.D.,

by Lillian KoizumiSpecial to the Tribune  Amid renewed global tensions and the ongoing threat of nuclear war, the Ikeda Center co-hosted a weekendlong conference, “Educating for Peace: A Teachers’ Conference for Nuclear Disarmament Education,” bringing together dedicated educators to address this critical challenge. The conference marked the beginning of a collaborative effort intended to help

DENVER—The SGI-USA members in Denver hosted an introductory Buddhist meeting on May 13 at their activity center for a special audience—55 students from Dunstan Middle School in nearby Lakewood, Colorado. The students, joined by 14 chaperones, were invited to the center as part of a cultural education trip planned by Jessica Bridges, an SGI-USA member

The World Tribune sat down with the leaders of the SGI-USA Courageous Freedom Group, which supports LGBTQ+ members, to learn about its unique mission and the crucial role it plays in introducing young people to the humanistic and empowering tenets of Nichiren Buddhism. Hello Briana, Ericka, Jay, Ron and Selina. Thank you speaking with us

Actor and humanitarian Orlando Bloom served as the keynote speaker for the Soka University of America 2025 Commencement Ceremony on May 23 at the university’s Soka Performing Arts Center. Following is an excerpt from his address. by Orlando Bloom I imagine you are all feeling a mixture of curiosity, excitement and, I hope, a sense

Soka University of America graduates the Class of 2025.

Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada on May 9 sent a congratulatory message on behalf of Soka Gakkai members throughout the world to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, on his election the day before as the 267th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. In the message, President Harada stated that the appointment signified a “new and

ALISO VIEJO, Calif.—What do you get when you combine the mission of Soka University of America with the spirit of the Olympics? Sokalympics—a daylong event held March 9, 2025, and organized by the university’s Student Leaders Assembly (SLA) to create opportunities for students to foster meaningful bonds within and across different classes and communities. The