TagBehind the Scenes

The World Tribune interviewed men’s division member Michael Petkov, of Saugerties, New York, about his experiences as a youth supporting behind the scenes as a member of the Soka Group. The Soka Group supports Soka Gakkai event planning and operations based on the spirit to protect the members.   World Tribune: Thank you, Michael, for

Interview with SGI-USA Young Women’s Leader Amelia Gonzalez and Young Men’s Leader Shota Okajima

The World Tribune interviewed women’s division member Susan Moromisato, of Garfield, New Jersey, about her experiences as a youth supporting behind the scenes. Susan graduated from the Byakuren Group, a young women’s division training group that supports various activities with the spirit to protect and serve the members on behalf of Ikeda Sensei.  World Tribune:

The World Tribune interviewed men’s division member Dave Welch, of Aliso Viejo, California, about his experiences as a youth supporting behind the scenes. Dave was a member of the Gajokai, a young men’s division training group that oversees the security and operations of Soka Gakkai facilities. World Tribune: Thank you, Dave, for sharing your story

by Anna Lane Belmont, Mass.  At a point in my life when I was struggling with self-confidence and being comfortable in my own skin, my young women’s leader encouraged me to join the Byakuren Group. I was inspired by her life and wanted to become joyful like many of the other young women I saw

In volume 24 of  The New Human Revolution, “Vigilant Safeguarding” chapter, Ikeda Sensei encourages members of the Byakuren Group, one of the SGI’s youth training groups.  Many think that happiness is taking it easy, never working hard and enjoying wealth and social status, recognition and success, without any special effort. Some flatter and cozy up

by Shota Okajima SGI-USA Young Men’s Division Leader In 2011, the SGI-USA Young Men’s Division established the Gajokai and Soka Group academies. The goal was to raise many capable young men as successors who would develop the spirit to seek their mentor by participating in these behind-the-scenes training groups. In 2019, to refresh its training

by Cassie Colby  SGI-USA Byakuren Leader Congratulations to all of the newly inducted Byakuren Group members! Throughout April, joyful dialogues and interviews were conducted across SGI-USA, culminating on April 23, when we welcomed 277 young women and nonbinary members into the young women’s division training group. It has been amazing to hear many wonderful reports

by Dinesh Sajnani Plano, Texas A member back in India told me a story I could never forget. They were visiting a Soka Gakkai center in Japan when another member’s shoe broke as they walked. Noticing them struggling, a young man staffing the center—a Gajokai—rushed over and handed them a spare shoe in exactly the

Representatives from the Byakuren and Soka Group share how supporting an SGI-USA activity behind the scenes enabled them to break through their personal challenges. Both supported “EMERGE,” a Southern California youth meeting commemorating the 30th anniversary of Ikeda Sensei’s poem “Sun of Jiyu Over a New Land,” held on Jan. 29, 2023, at the SGI-USA

by James Eleby Rensselaer, New York I first started doing Soka Group activities in 2015, not long after I joined the SGI. I didn’t really have a lot of structured activities in my life at that time, so it was unlike anything I had ever participated in before. Everything was so organized and dynamic.  When

by Enoa Reid Aiea, Hawaii There are times when you have to speak up. You have to stand up for yourself, for what’s right; but it can feel like hell. That’s how it was for me. I’m a chill dude, and I keep to myself. So, when it was time for me to speak up

by Oona Friedland Detroit Serving as Byakuren has deepened my relationship with Ikeda Sensei, with the SGI-USA and with our global movement. Not being a participant in the meeting, but watching it through the eyes of the members we are supporting, taught me the importance of being there to facilitate a safe and harmonious space

The valiant spirit of the behind-the-scenes training groups.