All News
Buddhism | Jun 12 2008
SGI-Korea Students Sponsor Culture and Peace Activities on Campuses Nationwide; Decade of Growth Commemorated
May 18, 2008, marks the tenth anniversary of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's visit to South Korea. SGI-Korea commemorated the milestone with various activities and events in May and June. During June, SGI-Korea students are sponsoring culture and peace activities at 155 colleges and universities nationwide. By June 12, some 44,000 students, ... read more
Humanitarian Activities | Jun 12 2008
SGI-Hong Kong Participates in Memorial Service and Charity Performance for China's Earthquake Victims
On May 21, 2008, SGI-Hong Kong joined other Buddhist groups at a joint memorial service conducted by the Hong Kong Buddhist Association in Hong Kong to pray for the peace and security of areas affected by natural disasters and the repose of victims who have passed away due to natural ... read more
Interfaith | Jun 11 2008
Expert on Confucian Studies Lectures at Taiwan Soka Association's Center
On June 11, 2008, Professor Tu Weiming, a leading authority on Confucian studies and professor of Chinese history and philosophy at Harvard University, delivered a lecture entitled "A Dialogical Civilization and a New Humanism" at Taiwan Soka Association's Jin-Zhou Culture Center in Taipei. Taiwan Soka Association (TSA) General Director Lin ... read more
Humanitarian Activities | Jun 9 2008
SGI-USA Members Deliver Emergency Relief to Flood Victims in Iowa State, USA
For around three weeks from June 8, 2008, Iowa, USA, experienced continuous flooding throughout the state. Cedar Rapids, one of the cities hardest hit by flooding, reported 438 downtown city blocks underwater, including the city government building and the main public library. A relief team, led by SGI-USA Senior Vice General ... read more
Buddhism | Jun 8 2008
SGI-Russia Members Meet in Moscow and St. Petersburg
On June 6, 2008, SGI-Russia members in St. Petersburg gathered for their monthly discussion meeting, sharing how they have challenged to overcome their daily hardships based on their Buddhist practice. Together they deepened their understanding of Nichiren Buddhism through discussing the Buddhist view on life and death. Participants also celebrated ... read more
Buddhism | Jun 8 2008
SGI-Colombia Women Meet for District General Meetings
SGI-Colombia women recently held district general meetings throughout the country to commemorate June 10, Soka Gakkai Women's Division Day. On June 7, 2008, 42 women including 14 guests attended a meeting of El Dorado District. A representative shared how she overcame family discord and created a harmonious home environment through ... read more
Buddhism | Jun 8 2008
SGI-Finland Holds Study Session
On June 7 and 8, 2008, SGI-Finland members met to study Nichiren Buddhism in Helsinki. Led by SGI-Finland Chapter Leader Marjatta Valkama and Men's Leader Kari Kilpeläinen, participants reviewed SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's lecture on "The Drum at the Gate of Thunder," one of Nichiren's writings. In addition, Youth Leader ... read more
Education | Jun 7 2008
Soka Gakkai Opens Educational Counseling Center in Fukushima Prefecture
This year commemorates the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the first Soka Gakkai Educational Counseling Center (SGECC) in 1968. On June 7, 2008, the Soka Gakkai Education Department opened its 34th SGECC at the Soka Gakkai Koriyama Chuo Culture Center in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture. Soka Gakkai educators in Fukushima ... read more
Culture | Jun 7 2008
Soka Gakkai Malaysia Organizes Charity Cultural Festival in Sabah State
On June 6 and 7, 2008, Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) held a charity cultural festival at Chancellor Hall on the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) campus in Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah State, east Malaysia. Some 800 SGM youth performed for an audience of about 8,000, who gathered from throughout Malaysia ... read more
Buddhism | Jun 7 2008
Soka Gakkai Youth Hold National Leaders Meeting
On June 7, 2008, Soka Gakkai youth held a national leaders meeting concurrently with a national student division meeting at the Tokyo Makiguchi Memorial Hall in Hachioji, Tokyo. Youth representatives from 18 remote outer islands of the Japanese archipelago also participated. SGI President Daisaku Ikeda and Soka Gakkai President Minoru ... read more
Sustainable Development | Jun 7 2008
SGI-Canada Youth Participate in Annual Tree Planting
On June 7, 2008, SGI-Canada youth members from the Toronto area, together with the Credit Valley Conservation Authority (CVC), participated in an annual tree planting in the town of Alton in Ontario, Canada. The 85 trees that were planted around a river bank will eventually grow to provide shade and ... read more
Buddhism | Jun 6 2008
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi Website Launched
On June 6, 2008, the Soka Gakkai launched an English-language website, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi: Value-Creating Education, dedicated to the life and work of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871-1944), the founder of the Soka Gakkai movement which now has 12 million members in 192 countries around the world. The URL is: http://tmakiguchi.org. Tsunesaburo Makiguchi was ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Jun 2 2008
Victory Over Violence in New Jersey and Indiana, USA
On May 21, 2008, Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey, USA, hosted a conference titled "Inspiring Civility on Campus," featuring the SGI-USA "Victory Over Violence" (VOV) exhibition. The event marked the anniversary of the tragic shootings in April 2007 at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. More than 90 faculty, ... read more
Interfaith | May 28 2008
Students from National University of Singapore Visit SSA Headquarters
On May 28, 2008, some 20 students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) University Scholars Programme (USP), led by Associate Professor Syed Farid Alatas, head of Malay Studies Department at the NUS, visited the Singapore Soka Association (SSA) Headquarters. Their visit is a part of USP's program on interreligious ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | May 27 2008
SGI-USA Students in Seattle, USA, Sponsor Exhibition on Peace Education
On May 19, 2008, some 1,200 people visited the SGI exhibition "From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit" at Seattle Central Community College in Seattle, Washington, USA. The exhibition coincided with a day-long symposium on peace-related topics, including poverty throughout the world, climate ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | May 25 2008
From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit Exhibition Shown at 30 Venues in Taiwan
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption and proclamation of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. In commemoration, Taiwan Soka Association (TSA) held an exhibition, entitled "From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit," from May 12-25, 2008, ... read more
Humanitarian Activities | May 25 2008
SGI Organizations Support Relief Efforts for Earthquake Victims in China
Singapore Soka Association (SSA) conducted a donation drive to collect funds to help victims affected by the May 12 earthquake that devastated Sichuan Province, China. The drive from May 12-19, 2008, raised Singapore $147,961 (US$108,566). The donations came from SSA members as well as the general public and were forwarded ... read more
Buddhism | May 25 2008
SGI-Canada and SGI-Chile Young Women's Meetings
On May 16-19, 2008, SGI-Canada young women gathered for a four-day conference at SGI-Canada Caledon Centre for Culture and Education, about 80 kilometers northwest of Toronto. Some 60 gathered from throughout the country. Participants studied "The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life," one of Nichiren's writings, using SGI President ... read more
Buddhism | May 22 2008
SGI Delegation Meet with Togo's Prime Minister; Some 1,000 Gather for SGI-Togo General Meeting
On May 22, 2008, an SGI delegation to Togo headed by SGI-Africa Advisor Takemi Sugai from France made a courtesy call on Prime Minister of Togo Komlan Mally at the Prime Minister's Office in Lomé. Mr. Sugai conveyed a message from SGI President Daisaku Ikeda. Prime Minister Mally expressed his ... read more
Interfaith | May 22 2008
SGI-Australia Youth Welcome Muslim Youth Leaders
On May 22, 2008, 20 SGI-Australia (SGIA) representatives of the Peace, Culture and Education Youth Training Group, which studies how to apply Buddhist principles to the challenges of building peace and participates in community activities, hosted a dialogue with 24 Muslim youth leaders at the Sydney SGIA Culture Center in ... read more
Buddhism | May 21 2008
Importance of Dedicated, Unseen Efforts Highlighted at Soka Gakkai's Monthly Leaders' Meeting
On May 21, 2008, the Soka Gakkai held its monthly leaders' meeting at the Tokyo Makiguchi Memorial Hall in Hachioji, Tokyo, attended by representatives from throughout Japan and SGI members from 25 countries and territories. Together with Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada, national Women's Leader Asami Mitsui and other executive ... read more
Buddhism | May 20 2008
SGI-Indonesia's Growth Results in Two New Chapters
Recently, due to a steady growth in membership, SGI-Indonesia's Tangerang Pioneer Chapter in Tangerang City was reorganized into two chapters--Tangerang Pioneer Chapter and Serpong Chapter. In 2006, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's photography exhibition, "Dialogue with Nature," was shown in the suburbs of Tangerang. Local SGI members used the event as ... read more
Press Releases | May 20 2008
Soka Gakkai Japan and Singapore Soka Association Contribute to Myanmar Cyclone Relief
Tokyo, Japan: Soka Gakkai General Director Masaaki Masaki visited the Tokyo office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on May 19 to make a donation of 3 million yen (US$28,800) in support of relief efforts following the May 2 cyclone which has devastated the Irrawaddy Delta area of ... read more
Humanitarian Activities | May 19 2008
Soka Gakkai and Singapore Soka Association Contribute to Myanmar Cyclone Relief
On May 19, 2008, Soka Gakkai General Director Masaaki Masaki visited the Tokyo office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to make a donation of 3 million yen (US$28,800) in support of relief efforts following the May 2 cyclone which has devastated the Irrawaddy Delta area of Myanmar. UNHCR ... read more
Sustainable Development | May 18 2008
Two Cities in Italy Host "Seeds of Change" Exhibition
"Seeds of Change: The Earth Charter and Human Potential," an exhibition on sustainable development, the role of education and the Earth Charter Initiative, was shown from April 16-30, 2008, in Vicenza, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Some 1,100 visited the exhibition, including ... read more
Culture | May 18 2008
Soka Gakkai Music Bands Participate in Local Festivals
Soka Gakkai Hyogo Bugle Band marching in Kobe Parade at Fukuyama Rose Festival, Hiroshima During May 2008, many Soka Gakkai marching bands and fife-and-drum corps participated in local events and parades throughout Japan. On May 3, Soka Gakkai Kanagawa Fife-and-Drum Corps and Soka Gran Esperanza Color Guard marched in front of Yamashita ... read more
Culture | May 18 2008
SGI-Laos Holds Culture Festival
SGI-Italy Culture Center in Florence On May 18, 2008, SGI-Laos held a culture festival in the capital, Vientiane, to commemorate May 3, Soka Gakkai Day. Regional dances from around the country were featured, as well as traditional Laotian dances and music performed by youth. The participants reaffirmed their pledge to become ... read more
Buddhism | May 18 2008
SGI-USA Holds Annual Memorial Service
On May 18, 2008, more than 350 SGI-USA members from as far away as Florida and Chicago attended the annual memorial service in the Skyrose Chapel at Rose Hills Memorial Park near Los Angeles, California, USA. The one-hour ceremony began with the traditional offering of incense and prayers in memory ... read more
Culture | May 17 2008
History of SGI-Italy Culture Center Building and Grounds Published
On May 17, 2008, a lecture at the SGI-Italy Culture Center in Florence commemorated the book launch of Le Brache Villa di Bellagio ("Wonderful House of Happiness and Joy"), a compilation of the history of the site. The center's history dates back to the first and second centuries of the ... read more
Press Releases | May 16 2008
Soka Gakkai Donates 30 Million Yen for China Earthquake Relief
Tokyo, Japan: On Thursday May 15, the Soka Gakkai made a donation to the Chinese Government in response to Monday's devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province which officials say may eventually claim more than 50,000 lives. Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada visited the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo to inform Ambassador Cui Tiankai ... read more
Sustainable Development | May 16 2008
SGI-Iceland Hosts the "Seeds of Change" Exhibition in Reykjavík
On April 25-26, 2008, "Seeds of Change: The Earth Charter and Human Potential," an exhibition created by the SGI and the Earth Charter Initiative about taking action for change, was held at the Perlan exhibition hall in Reykjavík, Iceland. The Environment Ministry invited SGI-Iceland, together with 20 other NGOs and ... read more
Buddhism | May 15 2008
Nanzan University Professor Lectures on Religion and Society
On May 15, 2008, Soka Gakkai youth in the Chubu Region sponsored a lecture by Manabu Watanabe, professor of Humanities at Nanzan University and research fellow at the Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture in Nagoya, Aichi. Speaking at the Soka Gakkai Chubu Peace Center in Nagoya, on the theme ... read more
Humanitarian Activities | May 15 2008
Soka Gakkai Donates 30 Million Yen for China Earthquake Relief
On May 15, 2008, the Soka Gakkai made a donation to the Chinese Government in response to Monday's devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province which officials say may eventually claim more than 50,000 lives. Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada visited the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo to inform Ambassador Cui Tiankai of the ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | May 14 2008
Two SGI-USA Youth Bring Peace Exhibitions to Their High School
During one of two student body assemblies coinciding with the exhibitions, SGI-USA Vice General Director Phyllis Goodson told the students, "No one else is going to come to Crane and give you peace. You have to do it because this is your home." To mark the opening of the exhibitions, Crane ... read more
Buddhism | May 13 2008
Spanish Translation of The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Published
On May 3, 2008, the long-awaited Spanish translation of The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin was published. The book is a direct translation of the first volume of the English edition of Nichiren's writings and contains 172 works, including Nichiren's five major writings: "On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace ... read more
Sustainable Development | May 12 2008
Engaging People in Sustainability--Roundtable Discussion in New York
On May 12, 2008, SGI UN Representative Hiro Sakurai, in his capacity as bureau member and immediate past president of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the UN, chaired a roundtable discussion on "Engaging People in Sustainability: the Role of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue" at the Church Center for the ... read more
Culture | May 11 2008
"Chinese Seal-Carving, Calligraphy and Painting Exchange" Exhibition Held in Malaysia
From May 4-11, 2008, SGI-Malaysia (SGM), Cao Tang Men Eastern Arts Society, Malaysia, and Siaw-Tao Chinese Seal-Carving, Calligraphy & Painting Society, Singapore, jointly organized the "Singapore-Malaysia Chinese Seal-Carving, Calligraphy & Painting Exchange" exhibition at the SGM Grand Culture Center in Kuala Lumpur. Tan Sri Dato' Michael Chen Wing Sum, former ... read more
Buddhism | May 11 2008
SGI-Argentina Holds Autumn Training Sessions
On May 11, 2008, SGI-Argentina leaders met at the SGI-Argentina Peace Auditorium in Buenos Aires. The day's various gatherings commemorated May 3, Soka Gakkai Day. The formation of the Youth Ikeda Vanguard Orchestra was announced and a square adjoining the auditorium was named Youth Square. SGI-Argentina Arts Division members staged an ... read more
Sustainable Development | May 11 2008
SGI-Costa Rica Members Participate in Tree-Planting
Costa Rica is considered to be one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world for its incredible wealth of plants and animals found in the rain forest. The national government has initiated numerous innovative programs to promote sustainable development. In 2007, the country oversaw the planting of five million ... read more
Buddhism | May 11 2008
New SGI-Paraguay Youth Leaders Announced at General Meeting
On May 11, 2008, some 400 SGI-Paraguay members gathered for a general meeting at the SGI-Paraguay Culture Center in Asunción. Newly appointed youth leaders, Young Men's Leader Samuel Medina and Young Women's Leader Chieko Nagasawa, expressed their resolve to further dedicate themselves for the sake of the members' happiness as ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | May 9 2008
Exhibition on Nuclear Abolition and Human Security Opens at Geneva UN Headquarters
"From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit," an exhibition created by the SGI that examines the nuclear weapons issue through the lens of human security, officially opened April 30, 2008, and showed through May 9 at the UN Office in Geneva. Held in ... read more
Humanitarian Activities | May 9 2008
Singapore Soka Association Assists Relief Activities for Cyclone Victims in Myanmar
The cyclone that hit Myanmar on May 3, 2008, has left tens of thousands dead and many more suffering from hunger and lack of potable water. Singapore Soka Association (SSA) has responded by assisting relief efforts organized by Mercy Relief, a Singapore-based organization promoting humanitarian relief and development projects in ... read more
Culture | May 8 2008
Chinese President Hu Jintao and SGI President Daisaku Ikeda Meet in Tokyo
Chinese President Hu Jintao met with SGI President Daisaku Ikeda at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo for 30 minutes in the evening of May 8, 2008. Accompanying President Hu were China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cui Tiankai. Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada and youth ... read more
Buddhism | May 4 2008
SGI Members Throughout the World Celebrate Soka Gakkai Day
SGI members throughout the world have commemorated May 3, Soka Gakkai Day. In Russia, SGI members gathered on April 27, 2008, at their respective locales, including Moscow, St. Petersburg and Vladivostok. SGI-Italy held a leaders training session on May 3-4 at their center in Rome and SGI-Europe Chair Hideaki Takahashi led ... read more
Buddhism | May 3 2008
SGI-Nepal Members Meet; Exhibition on Nuclear Weapons Abolition and Human Security Shown
On May 3, 2008, SGI-Nepal members met at the SGI-Nepal Peace Center in Kathmandu, commemorating May 3, Soka Gakkai Day. Representatives reported on breakthroughs achieved with their daily Buddhist practice and youth talked about the significance of May 3. SGI-Nepal General Director Sahana Shrestha encouraged everyone to live with a ... read more
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