CategoryProfiles

by the Pennsylvania Zone team What is your zone motto? Making History With Ikeda Sensei Through a Youthful Organization! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Our history began in the late 1960s with a handful of pioneer women who introduced some members of the Pennsylvania Ballet Company in Philadelphia to Nichiren Buddhism. That marked

Azarel Ruiz challenges herself to open her heart, share Buddhism for the first time and help other youth discover hope.

by the North Zone team What is your zone motto? Flagbearers of Human Renaissance Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. North Zone was formed in June 2007, when SGI-USA updated its organizational structure, shifting from five geographic zones to three territories. Prior to this change, we were part of the New York Zone.  North

by the New York Zone team What is your zone motto? “Faith is to fear nothing.” Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Ikeda Sensei first visited New York City on Oct. 13, 1960. On Oct. 14, after he visited the U.N. headquarters with a vow for peace, he established New York District. In 2007

by the Southern California Mojave Zone team What is your zone motto? ONE: One Youth. One with our mentor. Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Established in 2007 as Southern California North Zone, the area was renamed Southern California Mojave Zone in September 2022, marking a new chapter in its growth. Our zone geographically

by the Southwest Zone team What is your zone motto? Southwest Zone—Valley of the Sun, Valley of United Hearts. Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Japanese pioneer members began practicing Buddhism on military bases across the Southwest in the 1960s. According to early accounts, today’s Southwest Zone—covering Arizona, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas—took

by the South Central Zone team What is your zone motto? We are the Happiness Group! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. South Central Zone was formed in September 2017 when we split from South Zone. Encompassing five states—Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle—our zone was first part of East Territory

How prayer, building trust and courage helped one young woman receive the Gohonzon—and transformed my own life.

by the New Jersey Zone team What is your zone motto? Raising Capable People in the Garden of Soka With Ikeda Sensei! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. New Jersey was previously part of Tri-State Zone, which included New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. In 2010, the zone hosted the East Territory Rock the Era

by the Pacific Zone team Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Pacific Zone spans a wide and uniquely ocean-based geography, linking the Hawaiian Islands with Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands across thousands of miles of the Pacific Ocean. Our zone was established on July 15, 2007, and holds a deep

by Tae Izawa and Kunihiro UryuNorthern Virginia (NOVA) West Chapter Women’s and Men’s Leaders Members of the SGI-USA will begin the new year with hundreds of vibrant chapter kickoff meetings rooted in local communities across the country. The World Tribune sat down with Northern Virginia West Chapter leaders to learn how they have built momentum

by the San Francisco Ever-Victorious Zone team What is your zone motto?  Ever-Victorious With Sensei! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Our zone was formed on Aug. 16, 2009. Prior to that we were part of Northern California Zone. In 2009, we split into two zones, and the area including Monterey Bay, Silicon Valley,

The World Tribune sat down with Howard Fang and Karishma Bhandarkar,  Western Avenue-Light of the Charles (LOTC) District young men’s division and young women’s division leaders, to learn how their district united toward their November general meeting.  Beginning the Journey Hi Howard and Karishma! Thank you for speaking with us about the amazing growth of

by the Midwest Zone team Tell us briefly about your zone’s history.The current zone was established in 2007, coinciding with the formation of the three territories of SGI-USA. We have four regions, which comprise seven states: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas. The zone also supports members in parts of Illinois

by the Mid-Atlantic Zone team What is your zone motto? One with Sensei, Mid-Atlantic leads the way! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Mid-Atlantic Zone was established in its present form in 2007 along with East Territory. The zone consists of seven regions in the states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Washington, D.C.

by the Los Angeles Sunshine Zone team What is your zone motto? LA Sunshine with Sensei! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. In 1960, on his first visit to the U.S., Ikeda Sensei established the first chapter in the States—Los Angeles Chapter. Within that chapter, he created six districts and attended the first discussion

by the Pacific Northwest Zone team What is your zone motto? Altruistic action opens the way for everyone’s happiness! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Pacific Northwest Zone comprises six regions, which encompasses the states of Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and Montana. We have a proud history of Soka Spirit. In 1992, courageous pioneer

by the Mideast Zone team What is your zone motto? One With Ikeda Sensei! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history.Mideast Zone was formed on July 21, 2007, at the same time Central Territory was established. Our zone encompasses six states, including most of Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky as well as the entirety of Ohio.

by Florida Zone team What is your zone motto? Now is the time! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history.Our zone was formed in 2007 at the same time the territory system was created in the SGI-USA. Prior to this, the East Coast consisted of two larger zones, and Florida was part of Southeast Zone.

by Los Angeles North Coast Lion’s Roar Zone What is your zone motto? No. 1 and the most FUN! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Our zone was formed in 2007 and was called L.A. North Coast Zone. In 2010, our team proposed and Ikeda Sensei affirmed the name L.A. North Coast Lion’s Roar