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What is the sangha? The Sanskrit word sangha refers to the Buddhist Order, or the community of Buddhist believers who uphold, practice and spread the Buddha’s teachings. This community of believers is the third of the three treasures in Buddhism: the treasure of the Buddha, the treasure of the Law (the Buddha’s teachings) and the

The following excerpt is from Ikeda Sensei’s essay “Be Champions of Wisdom, Diligently Training in Practice and Study!” published in the Oct. 21, 2022, World Tribune, pp. 2–3. Studying Nichiren’s writings rouses the Daishonin’s indomitable fighting spirit in our hearts and causes our beings to resound with his great compassion to alleviate the sufferings of

Soka Gakkai Nichiren Buddhism places primary importance on “the heart” based on Nichiren Daishonin’s teaching that “it is the heart that is important” (“The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1000), while some other forms of Buddhism place primary importance on rules regarding ceremonies and formalities. With respect

This series answers popular questions asked by SGI members on the fundamentals of Buddhist practice. Q: Is it ok to do gongyo in the car? I have a hard time waking up early enough to chant before work. A: It’s truly praiseworthy to want to maintain a consistent practice. That being said, where and how

The following excerpt is from one of Ikeda Sensei’s essays on the basics of Nichiren Buddhism Faith, Practice, and Study, p. 43. When we are in the depths of despair, reading Nichiren’s writings can make the sun of hope rise in our hearts. When we face an impasse, reading them can help us summon forth

On January 26, 1975, 158 representatives from 51 countries and territories gathered for the First World Peace Conference on the Pacific Island of Guam, the site of intense fighting during the Pacific War. Here, the group established the Soka Gakkai International, naming Daisaku Ikeda its president. Having bore witness to the horrors of war in