TagConstructing the New Era

Translated from the September 24, 2019, Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. At this time of the autumn equinox [when the deceased are traditionally remembered in Japan], I visited the Soka Gakkai Mentors Hall in Shinanomachi, Tokyo, and offered my sincere prayers in memory of the deceased (on September 21). I also chanted wholeheartedly

Translated from the December 15, 2020, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. Commending a disciple who persevered in faith and sincerely supported him throughout the four seasons, Nichiren Daishonin writes, “Not a single one of them [your offerings in faith] will fail to bring you benefit” (“A Harsh Winter Deep in

From the Nov. 24 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper Together with our fellow members together with our fellow members around the globe, solidly united in shared purpose, we have been able to celebrate the Soka Gakkai’s 90th anniversary in brilliant victory! I am deeply grateful for the many congratulatory messages

Translated from the Oct. 5, 2020, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. I am reminded of a conversation I had with my mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, who cherished young people above all. “Everyone has grown splendidly,” he said, to which I replied, “Yes, they’ve really grown!” We exchanged

Translated from the September 5, 2020, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. At present, Soka youth across the globe are making a fresh start, their hearts buoyed by new songs. Unconstrained by convention or past ways of doing things, bright young minds can blaze new trails forward, chart new ground, through freely and

From the March 19 Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. May 19 is the anniversary of the Soka Gakkai Kosen-rufu Gohonzon [now enshrined in the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu in Shinanomachi, Tokyo]. Nichiren Daishonin revealed the Gohonzon—the object of fundamental respect or devotion—as “the banner of propagation of the Lotus Sutra” (“The Real Aspect

Translated from the April 2, 2020, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper. by Daisaku Ikeda April 2, the anniversary of my mentor Josei Toda’s passing, has arrived again, graced by beautiful cherry blossoms, which he loved so dearly. This is a day imbued with the vow of mentor and disciple. Since

Translated from the March 3, 2020, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper. by Daisaku Ikeda [March 3 is Doll Festival, or Girls Day in Japan, and is one of its five seasonal festivals.] In reply to a disciple asking about the significance of the five seasonal festivals, Nichiren Daishonin writes that

From the Jan. 8 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. Soka University’s track and field team put in an inspiring performance at this year’s annual Hakone Ekiden men’s relay marathon (from Jan. 2–3). As the university’s founder, I am delighted by their achievement. [Soka University finished in the top 10 for the first time

Translated from the October 21, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper. We are all linked together by the Mystic Law, the ultimate Law of the universe. Nichiren Daishonin writes: “There is no place among the worlds of the ten directions that the sound of our voices chanting daimoku [Nam-myoho-renge-kyo] cannot

From the Aug. 14, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. Nichiren Daishonin states: “All my disciples and followers should read and listen to this letter. Those who are serious in their resolve should discuss it with one another” (“The Votary of the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol.

From the July 13, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, the founding Soka Gakkai president, declared that Soka mentors and disciples are practitioners of the Lotus Sutra, not believers. The fact that the three obstacles and four devils arise, he said, is proof that we are correctly carrying

From the June 11, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. It is now the rainy season in Japan. I am endlessly grateful for all the hard work of our “uncrowned heroes,” the deliverers of the Seikyo Shimbun [the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper]. My wife, Kaneko, and I are praying earnestly

From the July 5, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. I would like to express my sincere sympathies to all those affected by the recent unprecedented rains in Kagoshima, Miyazaki, Kumamoto and other parts of Kyushu [the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands]. Through faith in the Mystic Law, we

From the June 1, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. June 6 is the birthday of first Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. This year marks the 148th anniversary of his birth. The Soka Gakkai’s greatest pride and honor is having this selfless champion and martyr for peace as our mentor

From the Feb. 13, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper The earnest wish of my mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, was to eliminate all misery and suffering from the face of the earth. This month, as members throughout Japan and the world carry on his spirit and strive

From the May 8, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. I am delighted to have celebrated another glorious May 3, Soka Gakkai Day, together with my beloved fellow members everywhere, and once more make a fresh departure with you in this new era. I received many congratulatory messages from people

From the Feb. 24, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. Women whose hearts shine like the sun can brightly illuminate their families, communities and society. While striving valiantly amid the Atsuhara Persecution, Nanjo Tokimitsu and his family were beset by a series of harsh trials, including economic hardship and the

From the April 13, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. Nichiren Daishonin cites the words, “Since the Law is wonderful, the person is worthy of respect; since the person is worthy of respect, the land is sacred.”, Today, our members everywhere are engaging in dialogue to share the ideals of

From the March 25, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. The spring of Soka cherry trees has arrived! The Youth Cherry Tree long adorning the Soka Gakkai Headquarters complex in Shinanomachi, Tokyo, is also in bloom, thanks to the careful tending by master gardeners over the years. Nichiren Daishonin also