CategoryOur History

Ikeda Sensei selflessly devoted his youth to spreading the Mystic Law—from meeting his mentor, Josei Toda, to his inauguration as the third Soka Gakkai president. Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 After 95 years, Ikeda Sensei’s sublime life came to a close on Nov. 15, 2023. Sensei

As third Soka Gakkai president, Ikeda Sensei offered unforgettable encouragement to members throughout Japan—from Hokkaido in the north to the islands of Okinawa in the south. Part 1 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 The Emergence of a Young President Just past 10:30 a.m. on May 3, 1960, Ikeda

Taking concrete steps to spread Nichiren Buddhism globally, Ikeda Sensei led the Soka Gakkai’s expansion to 192 countries and territories. Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 Everything Begins From the Revitalization and Joy of One Person Already 158 representatives had gathered from 51 countries and territories in

Enduring the flames of war in his youth, Ikeda Sensei strove to uproot the causes of global conflict by promoting peace and dialogue throughout the world. Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 5 | Part 6 Transcending Cultural Differences and Bringing Down Walls A great human revolution in just a single

Ikeda Sensei waged a lifelong battle as an author and poet, employing the power of words to inspire change. Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 6 Writing Prolifically, Driven by Passionate Faith The front page of the Nov. 18, 2023, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo

Ikeda Sensei established Soka education institutions to foster countless global citizens who will safeguard peace and contribute to the happiness of humanity. Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 The Founders’ Dream for Education Expands Limitlessly In 1930, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, an elementary school principal, wrote The System of

Ikeda Sensei’s 27 Visits to America

A Tribute to Daisaku Ikeda

Of all Ikeda Sensei’s profound contributions to humanity, he is unrivaled in his boundless trust of and belief in youth, a point embodied in his decadeslong efforts to foster countless youthful protagonists who can move society in the direction of peace. In Discussions on Youth, he says to young people: “Even if you think you’re

Installment 12: At Echi

11/18 Soka Gakkai Founding Day In 1930, founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, together with Josei Toda, published the first volume of Soka kyoikugaku taikei (The System of Value-Creating Education). This date later became known as the founding day of the Soka Gakkai. (See The New Human Revolution, vol. 23, “Bold Struggle” chapter; and NHR-27,

On why we celebrate our starting point each November in our districts.

In the years following World War II, Josei Toda’s office in the Nishi-Kanda neighborhood of Tokyo functioned as the Soka Gakkai Headquarters after business hours. Whenrebuilding the Soka Gakkai, he was asked whether he would purchase a headquarters building, to which he replied: “We don’t need a building. That’s just an outward form. Wherever I

Installment 11: Casting Off the Transient and Revealing the True

10/2 World Peace Day  In 1960, Ikeda Sensei departed for his first overseas trip to spread Nichiren Buddhism globally on behalf of his mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda. This day later became recognized as World Peace Day. (See The New Human Revolution, vol. 1, “Sunrise” chapter; and NHR-24, “Ode to Mothers” chapter) 10/5

Installment 10: The Tatsunokuchi Persecution—Part 2

9/8 Anniversary of the Declaration for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons In 1957, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda made this declaration at the Mitsuzawa Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. He entrusted his successors in the youth division to spread throughout the world the belief that nuclear weapons are an absolute evil. This declaration became the

Marking the 30th anniversary of Ikeda Sensei’s September 1993 Harvard lecture, “Mahayana Buddhism and Twenty-First-Century Civilization.”

Installment 9: Eleven Letters of Remonstrance

In 1947, Daisaku Ikeda was 19. He was seeking answers to life amid the chaos of postwar Japan, reading books on literature and philosophy. On Aug. 14, 1947, he attended a Soka Gakkai discussion meeting in search of a philosophy that could give him genuine purpose. There, Josei Toda, the man who would become his