CategoryOur History

40th Anniversary

The SGI prepared the following lecture to commemorate the 30th anniversary of our spiritual independence on November 28, 1991. The lecture details key moments in the Soka Gakkai’s history that led to it developing into a world religion that embraces all people’s equal ability to attain enlightenment as they are. In addition to the body of the lecture, the

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, first president of the Soka Gakkai, and his disciple, (second president) Josei Toda, published the first in a series of writings outlining the system of soka, or value-creating pedagogy, on Nov. 18, 1930. This date marks the founding of the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai—the Society for Value-Creating Education. The word soka, which was coined

The World Tribune spoke with the SGI-USA leadership team about Nov. 28 and what we can learn from our spiritual independence. World Tribune: This Nov. 28 marks 30 years since the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood excommunicated the Soka Gakkai. For SGI members around the world, this day is celebrated as a Day of Spiritual Independence and

Nov. 14, 2021, marks 40 years since the completion of the “Song of Crimson.” After the first priesthood issue, the young men’s division members of Shikoku created the song together with Ikeda Sensei as an expression of their determination to secure the future of kosen-rufu together with their mentor. Let’s revisit the spirit behind “Song

11/4 40th Anniversary of the ‘Song of Crimson’ Nov. 14, 1981: The “Song of Crimson” was completed after more than 20 revisions by Ikeda Sensei and the young men’s division of Shikoku. This song expressed everything that Sensei wished to convey to the youth to whom he entrusted the future of kosen-rufu. (See The New

10/2 World Peace Day Oct. 2, 1960: Ikeda Sensei departed for his first overseas trip to realize the ideals of his mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda. Later, this day became known as “World Peace Day.” (See The New Human Revolution, vol. 1, “Sunrise” chapter, and NHR-24, “Ode to Mothers” chapter) 10/4 The 50th

750 Years Since the Tatsunokuchi Persecution by Daisaku Ikeda

July 2021 marks 40 years since Ikeda Sensei was declared a poet laureate by the World Academy of Arts and Culture in 1981. The following is an excerpt of Sensei’s June 2005 poem titled “Hold High the Proud Banner of July 3!” This excerpt was republished in the July 3, 2021, issue of the Soka

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, an educational reformer, openly opposed imperial Japan’s ever-growing nationalistic agenda and penchant for rote learning. He believed that educators create value by developing happy individuals who would go into society and contribute, in turn, to the well-being of others. His theory of value creation, later coined soka by his protégé, Josei Toda, focused

Ikeda Sensei's Essay

Commemorating 150 Years Since Founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi's Birth

Our History: May 3, Soka Gakkai Day

In making tough decisions in life, it often comes down to choosing between taking the easy way out or finding the courage to do what’s right, no matter how hard that may be. The story of Nichiren Daishonin first proclaiming his teaching offers insights into how we all can win over ourselves and find true

On April 2, 1958, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda died at the age of 58. The following essay by Ikeda Sensei was originally published in the April 8, 2009, Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. My mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, once said to me: “Buddhism teaches that ‘all phenomena are

On March 16, 1958, in the predawn chill at the foot of Mount Fuji, 6,000 youth assembled, unaware they were to make history. There, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda announced that he was passing the baton of kosen-rufu to the youth. Japan’s prime minister had originally agreed to attend the ceremony but bowed out

On March 16, 1958, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda entrusted the mission of kosen-rufu to the youth. The following essay by Ikeda Sensei was published in the March 16, 2000, Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. My eyes were focused unwaveringly on the future. Yet, seeing the frail condition of my mentor in

Our History: Feb. 27, 1990

Our History: January 26

In October 1961, Ikeda Sensei visited the Berlin Wall just two months after it had been erected. “The sudden closing of the passage between East and West Berlin split families, relatives and lovers,” he wrote of the time. “It was a small-scale model of the Cold War, in which people were oppressed and cast asunder