SALT LAKE CITY, July 3—For three years, Joel Shelton waited for this day. He had, in late 2019, searched online for “Buddhism without meditation” amid a career crisis. What he found was the SGI-USA community in Salt Lake City, where he learned how to create change and find happiness within. Mr. Shelton was among the
NEW YORK, July 5—The life and work of the gifted jazz pianist, composer and educator Onaje Allan Gumbs were memorialized this month when a street in his Bronx neighborhood was named “Onaje Allan Gumbs Way.” The longtime SGI member conceived the mission of jazz as lying far beyond the scope of mere entertainment. In a
by Kevin Moncrief SGI-USA Men’s Leader The men of the SGI-USA are determined to unite and foster the victory of the young men in establishing the peace of the land. Therefore, in July, we will fully support the young men’s division general meetings and introduction meetings by planting seeds and bringing at least one young
Tucson, Ariz., May 1—In a joyful ceremony, the resilience of the Southwest Zone members shone through with the long-awaited grand opening of the new Tucson Buddhist Center. Due to COVID-19, the grand opening had been postponed twice, once in November 2021, and again in January 2022. But, each time, the members redetermined to patiently await
On June 5, 2022, SGI-USA’s West and Central territories livestreamed kosen-rufu gongyo meetings at the Los Angeles Friendship Center and Chicago Culture Center, respectively, where new territory leadership appointments were announced. Below are summaries of the new leaders’ determinations toward the Soka Gakkai’s centennial in 2030. James Herrmann West Territory Leader Two-and-a-half years have already
ALISO VIEJO, Calif.—In a dignified ceremony at Soka University of America, former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young received the second Soka Global Citizen Award on May 4. Ambassador Young traveled from Atlanta to accept the award during a ceremony attended by more than 100 students, faculty and staff in the Founder’s Meeting Room at the university’s
No national-level Juneteenth celebration will be held in June. In lieu of this, each territory (East, Central and West) may either hold Juneteenth events or Black history commemorative events between September and November to highlight milestones in the fight for equality and justice. For more information, please contact your territory People of African Descent Group
OAKLAND—Dan Kalb, Oakland’s District 1 councilmember, selected the SGI-USA Oakland Buddhist Center in May as a representative to commemorate this year’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Month. In a newsletter to constituents, he explained that the center serves as a hub for SGI members in Oakland and in the East Bay “who are upholding the
Ikeda Sensei’s acceptance message for his honorary doctorate from the University of Minnesota.
NEW YORK, May 1—With tears of joy, the members of Queens Region celebrated the long-anticipated opening of the SGI-USA Queens Buddhist Center, with over 260 members and guests gathering in person and an additional 240 joining the festivities virtually. The meeting opened with a message from Ikeda Sensei, who called the center the result of
MINNEAPOLIS, May 14—The University of Minnesota, one of the world’s leading research institutions, awarded Ikeda Sensei with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the 2022 commencement ceremony for the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, for his enduring role as a global peace advocate and Buddhist philosopher. In a ceremony at the university’s
On June 10, 2022, to commemorate the women’s division’s 71st anniversary, the SGI-USA women will conduct a gongyo and daimoku relay from their homes any time between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. in their local time zones. Collectively, they will pray for the following: 1) the peace of the land and the world; 2) to
We are shocked and saddened by the senseless violence that is taking place, including the horrendous shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York. Violence in any form is intolerable; violence against people peacefully shopping in a grocery store because of their race is outrageous; and violence against children and those who support and protect them, in the
Their visit commemorates the anniversary of Josei Toda’s passing.
As the war in Ukraine continues to escalate, Soka Gakkai representatives visited the U.N. World Food Programme branch office in Shibuya, Tokyo, on March 24, 2022, making a donation to help fund emergency humanitarian aid.
“With all the global conflict and crises, there couldn’t be a more crucial time to reaffirm the purpose of our movement. We need a valid, life-affirming philosophy in order to transform the reality of society,” said Peter Karuppiah, SGI-USA’s student division young men’s leader. It is in this spirit that the SGI-USA student division will
March 7, Tokyo—Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada opened his speech at the March 6, 2022, Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting, expressing deep concern over the ongoing fighting that threatens the lives of those in Ukraine. He affirmed that, as Buddhists who uphold belief in the dignity of all life, we are earnestly praying each day
The City of Aliso Viejo recognizes Soka University of America (SUA) as a “Trusted Partner” supporting the city. Mayor Ross Chun and Mayor Pro Tem Richard Hurt presented SUA President Edward M. Feasel and Archibald E. Asawa, vice president for finance and administration, with a certificate of recognition in February. President Feasel acknowledged the
In the last two weekends of March, youth general meetings themed “Redefining Joy Amid the Times” will be held virtually across the SGI-USA. All young women, young men and nonbinary members and guests ages 12–35 are invited to attend.Contact your local leaders to find out more information!
The flames of war continue to spread in Ukraine. It is deeply regrettable that civilian casualties are on the rise. Many people’s lives, livelihoods and dignity have been threatened by the armed conflict. This is truly tragic. It is heartbreaking to see this dire situation every day. We strongly call for an immediate cessation of
