November 2025 Living Buddhism

Gongyo—which includes reciting portions of the “Expedient Means” and “Life Span of the Thus Come One” chapters of the Lotus Sutra morning and evening—is part of daily practice for Nichiren Buddhists. This series carries Ikeda Sensei’s explanations of gongyo, section by section. The full text can be found in The Heart of the Lotus Sutra,

This section features Ikeda Sensei’s seminal guidance to the members of the United States. The following is his speech given at a gongyo meeting commemorating World Peace Day, Soka University Los Angeles, Calabasas, California, October 2, 1991. The full speech can be found in My Dear Friends in America, fourth edition, pp. 196–99. On this

Choosing hope over hopelessness, I open the way to happiness—others’ and my own. I am Daisy Prom of Temple City, California.

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

Question: You insist that the followers of the Nembutsu [Pure Land] and Zen schools will fall into the hell of incessant suffering. This shows that you have a contentious heart. You yourself are in danger of falling into the realm of the asuras [the world of anger]. Moreover, it is said in the “Peaceful Practices”

Please base your monthly discussion meeting study on one of the following: 1) Buddhist Concepts (pp. 44–45)2) Writings for Discussion Meetings (pp. 46–47)3) Material from any recent issue of the World Tribune or Living Buddhism Buddhist Concepts What Does Soka Mean? This November 18 marks the 95th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai’s founding—a perfect opportunity

Ikeda Wisdom Academy members: • are group through national youth leaders and all student division members.• should have their own copy of The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 4.• are encouraged to read the assigned material before each meeting. November Syllabus:The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 4, pp. 227–47Part Three: “The Life Span

Ikeda Sensei felt the time had come for the philosophy of Buddhism, rooted in human rights and peace, to be transmitted to the world. On August 31, 1962, he began his lectures on The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings for student division representatives. The following excerpt recounts his first lecture with 40 student division

This is a translation of an installment of a Soka Gakkai Study Department series, published in August 2024 issue of the Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal. Installment 26: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as the Object of Devotion In the ninth month of 1278, one year before the Atsuhara Persecution—the persecution of his followers in Atsuhara Village

Ikeda Sensei’s serialized novel The New Human Revolution chronicles the history of the Soka Gakkai following his inauguration in 1960 as its third president. It carries practical guidance on how to expand our movement for kosen-rufu and hundreds of experiences of inner transformation. Sensei appears in the novel as Shin’ichi Yamamoto. The following takes place

To the moon I call out: “Oh, god of the moon! May you watch over my friends around the world for another night! Gently illuminate the footsteps of those who walk our noble path! Please give comfort to the hearts of all those who are suffering.” With this thought, I snap the shutter. I want