CategoryOn the Cover

Known by the Cherokee people as Shaconage, meaning “place of the blue smoke,” and frequently referred to today as “the Smokies,” Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park in the country. World-renowned for its biodiversity, the beauty of its ancient mountains and quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian culture, the park stretches

The Harvest Moon, said to be the most beautiful of the year, fell on Sept. 20, less than two days before the autumn equinox. At this time of year, the moon for several evenings rises soon after sunset, and this celestial event is celebrated the world over with moon viewings, family feasts, gift giving and

On March 1, 1872, U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act, making Yellowstone the world’s first federally protected park. Located in Wyoming and parts of Montana and Idaho, it features more than 10,000 hot springs, geysers and mudpots that are home to rare heat-loving microscopic organisms. The most well-known geyser,

“As long as the African people continue to struggle with daunting challenges, then as fellow human beings and global citizens we should share their sufferings.” —Ikeda Sensei In this month’s issue, we feature an interview with Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, co-president of the Club of Rome. Table Mountain in South Africa, home to Dr. Ramphele, graces

“The Soka Gakkai was not built by its mentors and then inherited by the disciples. From the beginning, it was the crystallization of the shared commitment of mentor and disciple. “When we dedicate ourselves to this way of mentor and disciple, the boundless strength of a noble and heroic victor will surge forth in our

“In a democracy, all individuals have to recognize that they are society’s protagonists—they play a leading role in society—and that as such they have a responsibility to fulfill.” —Ikeda Sensei In volume 20 of The New Human Revolution, which we are studying this month, Ikeda Sensei (who appears in the novel as Shin’ichi Yamamoto) visits Washington,

“By joyfully chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and sharing Buddhism with others, we connect our lives with that of the Buddha, function as the Buddha’s emissaries and live as Bodhisattvas of the Earth. In other words, through this practice of faith for the sake of self and others alike, the power of the Buddha wells up within us

“Kosen-rufu will definitely be achieved if even one young person is willing to dedicate their entire life to it.” —Second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda July is the month of youth for the Soka Gakkai—the month in which the young men’s and young women’s divisions were founded on July 11 and 19, 1951, respectively, and

“My dear future division members! My precious friends! You are destined to be the noble protagonists of our movement when the Soka Gakkai celebrates its glorious 100th anniversary in 2030.” —Ikeda Sensei For 60 years, Ikeda Sensei has ceaselessly encouraged the members of the future division, which includes the elementary school, and junior high and

“This moment and the place where you are right now is what matter. When committed disciples rise into action with a self-reliant spirit, the sure flame of Soka will burn and spread brightly from where they are, from that very moment.” —SGI President Ikeda May 3, Soka Gakkai Day, is considered a New Year’s Day

One person awakening to their Buddhahood can change the world—introducing the SGI-USA’s new, hope-filled focus. by Olivia Saito, Maya Gunaseharan and Ryo KurokiSGI-USA Youth Leaders This is a call to action from the youth of America. It is a cry from the depths of our beings to call forth and raise a new generation of

“When islands are happy, the world will be happy.” —SGI President Ikeda For many travelers, the islands of the Caribbean Sea represent the ultimate vacation destination, with their warm, tropical climate, diverse food, music and art, and customs influenced by African and European cultures. Scenic though they are, the Caribbean Islands have also been an

“I have no choice. I am a Buddhist. The social mission of a Buddhist practitioner is to work for world peace and the happiness of all people. Whatever happens, I must act with firm resolve! History will prove whether I am right.” —SGI President Ikeda Second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda often shared his belief

“The youth division is the fresh driving force for kosen-rufu in Japan and the world. In that sense, the youth members, running in the forefront of our movement, are the mentors, and the men’s and women’s division members, who are entrusting them with the future, are the disciples.” —SGI President Ikeda SGI President Ikeda once

“Irrespective of what other people do, you yourself will receive benefit and good fortune in direct proportion to your hard work and efforts for the sake of kosen-rufu.” —SGI President Ikeda Peru is a country of diverse landscapes ranging from the arid plains of the Pacific coast to the peaks of the Andes Mountains to

“The sweat of your efforts for kosen-rufu will become precious gems of good fortune, brilliantly dignifying your life forever. Please become the happiest person in Brazil!” —SGI President Ikeda Brazil, rich in culture and natural beauty, is South America’s largest country. It is also home to the Iguazu Falls, one of the largest waterfall systems

“A person who makes a firm determination to work for kosen-rufu is strong. From such determination wisdom, life force, success and victory in life are born.” —SGI President Ikeda Mexico, home of one of the six “cradles of civilization,” has a rich culture reflecting its complex history. Blending its indigenous roots with Spanish and Asian

“While it’s of course important that you become a great scholar in Australia, your underlying responsibility is to advance kosen-rufu here. That is your fundamental mission as a Bodhisattva of the Earth.” —SGI President Ikeda Australia is the world’s sixth largest country, with a wide range of landscapes that are home to wildlife found only

“If we want to transform the community in which we live, we must ask ourselves: Does our heart burn with a fighting spirit and are we truly committed to spreading the Daishonin’s teachings?” —SGI President Ikeda The Amami Islands are located some 200 miles south of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands. Soka

“I think it is a mistake to regard people as abstract groups, to identify them in terms of ethnicity, religion, nationality or class, rather than seeing them as individuals. Such thinking only divides people and will never bring about real dialogue or true friendship.” —SGI President Ikeda The ruins of Baalbek, situated 50 miles northeast