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Culture | May 3 2007

SGI-HK Cosponsors Exhibition on Lu Xun in Hong Kong and Macau

The "Who is Lu Xun?" exhibition showcasing the life and works of the Chinese writer, Lu Xun, was shown at the SGI-Hong Kong Culture Center from February 4 to 25, 2007. The exhibition was jointly sponsored by Shanghai Lu Xun Culture Development Center, Shaoxing Residents' Association of Hong Kong and ... read more

Peace and Disarmament | May 3 2007

Culture of Peace Seminar in New Delhi, India

Will peace remain elusive? To many it might seem so, with media reports calling attention to the escalation in senseless acts of violence occurring around the world. In such a social climate, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and Bharat (India) Soka Gakkai (BSG) jointly organized a ... read more

Buddhism | Apr 30 2007

SGI-Korea Opens Two Culture Centers and a New Hwa Kwang Shinmun Building

The three-story Kwangyang Culture Center opened on April 15 in Kwangyang, Chollanam Province, South Korea, with 600 local SGI members attending. On April 21, the Bangeojin Culture Center officially opened in the metropolitan city of Ulsan in Gyeongsangnam Province. Among the 1,000 attendees were Dong-gu Mayor Jeong Cheon-seok, Dong-gu Council ... read more

Culture | Apr 30 2007

30,000 Participate in Youth Friendship Music Festivals in Thailand

From February through April 2007, SGI-Thailand hosted Youth Friendship Music Festivals at 27 venues throughout Thailand that rallied some 30,000 participants. The youth division took initiative for planning and carrying out the festivals with support from the men's and women's divisions. The shows included gymnastic feats, traditional Thai dances and ... read more

Buddhism | Apr 28 2007

SGI-Brazil Hosts Latin American Conference

On April 28, 2007, SGI-Brazil hosted an SGI Latin America Conference at the International Conference Hall in the Ikeda Culture Center in São Paulo, Brazil. In a message, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda called on the participants to launch afresh "a great tidal wave of world peace from Central and South ... read more

Buddhism | Apr 28 2007

New SGI-Brazil Culture Center Opens

On April 28, 2007, SGI-Brazil opened a new six-story center in São Paulo. The building, named SGI-Brazil Dr. Daisaku Ikeda Culture Center, includes an auditorium that seats 3,000. SGI Vice President Hiromasa Ikeda read a message from SGI President Daisaku Ikeda at a reception held the same day. One day ... read more

Buddhism | Apr 27 2007

Establishment of Nichiren Buddhism Celebrated Worldwide

April 28, 2007 marks the 754th anniversary of the establishment of Nichiren Buddhism (April 28, 1253). Today, SGI members in 190 countries and territories around the world practice Nichiren Buddhism. On April 27, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda participated in a commemorative service to mark the anniversary at the Tokyo Makiguchi Memorial ... read more

Peace and Disarmament | Apr 27 2007

New SGI-Argentina Women's Peace Committee to Promote Ecology and Nuclear Disarmament

On April 27, 2007, SGI-Argentina inaugurated its Women's Peace Committee (WPC) with SGI-Argentina Women's Division Leader Matilde Garrido and Young Women's Division Leader Veronica Higashi serving as chair and vice chair, respectively. At a ceremony held at the SGI-Argentina Peace Auditorium, the two women made a joint statement declaring that ... read more

Sustainable Development | Apr 27 2007

New SGI-Argentina Women's Peace Committee to Promote Ecology and Nuclear Disarmament

On April 27, 2007, SGI-Argentina inaugurated its Women's Peace Committee (WPC) with SGI-Argentina Women's Division Leader Matilde Garrido and Young Women's Division Leader Veronica Higashi serving as chair and vice chair, respectively. At a ceremony held at the SGI-Argentina Peace Auditorium, the two women made a joint statement declaring that ... read more

Education | Apr 26 2007

Soka Gakkai Donates Books to Library in Mongolian City

On April 26, 2007, a Soka Gakkai delegation, led by Eiji Ouchi, visited the central library in Zuunkharaa City, Mandal County, Selenge Province in Mongolia to make a presentation of various Mongolian books. The delegation also presented the library with copies of Mongolian translations of The Great Prairie and the ... read more

Buddhism | Apr 24 2007

German Edition of Burton Watson's Lotus Sutra to Be Published

In May 2007, Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft (WBG), a German publisher of academic books, will release Das Lotos-Sutra, a German edition of the Lotus Sutra, widely considered to be the most important scripture of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. This edition is based on Burton Watson's translation published in 1993 by Columbia University ... read more

Peace and Disarmament | Apr 23 2007

SGI-Thailand Hosts Third Women for Peace Conference

Dr. Juree (2nd from right) views the "Women and the Culture of Peace Exhibition" sponsored by the SGT women, accompanied by SGT General Director Somkiat Limrossukon (right) and SGT WD Chief Ms. Patoomporn (3rd from right) Speaking at the conference, prominent scholar and women's rights advocate Juree Vichit Vadakan, who ... read more

Interfaith | Apr 23 2007

Seminar on Life and Death at the Boston Research Center

Professor Tu said he believed Confucius once stated that it was impossible to understand death without first understanding life. "The Confucian notion is that you are in this world for a purpose, and it's a blessing for you to become a human. In this regard, for humans, the spiritual death ... read more

Culture | Apr 22 2007

SGI-Hong Kong Participates in Celebrations for Tenth Anniversary of Repatriation

July 1, 2007 will mark the tenth anniversary of Hong Kong's establishment as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the return of sovereignty to China. SGI-Hong Kong members have been participating in celebratory events taking place in Hong Kong. The Cosmic Brass Band and Bauhinia Fife-and-Drum Corps marched in ... read more

Peace and Disarmament | Apr 21 2007

A Day of Peace in Hawaii

Visitors to the exhibition On April 21, 2007, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the School of Architecture at the University of Hawaii was the site of the SGI-USA's Aloha Peace Community Forum, held in conjunction with the opening of the "Creating a Culture of Peace: The Right to Human Security" exhibition at the ... read more

Buddhism | Apr 17 2007

Soka Gakkai Publishes 7th Book in the Lotus Sutra Manuscript Series

The Soka Gakkai recently published Sanskrit Lotus Sutra Manuscript from the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (No. 6), Romanized Text, the seventh of the "Lotus Sutra Manuscript Series," edited by Haruaki Kotsuki, researcher in charge of manuscript studies at the Institute of Oriental Philosophy (IOP). Beginning in ... read more

Buddhism | Apr 15 2007

SGI-Hong Kong's Senior Citizens Meet

On April 15, 2007, some 1,500 members of SGI-Hong Kong's Many Treasures Group--made up of senior citizens--gathered for a general meeting at the Hong Kong Culture Center. In a message, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda paid tribute to their pioneer efforts that have led to the development of the SGI-Hong Kong ... read more

Buddhism | Apr 15 2007

SGI-Czech Members Celebrate 15th Anniversary

On April 14-15, 2007, SGI-Czech Chapter celebrated the 15th anniversary of its establishment in January 1992 with a mere six members. This followed the 1989 "Velvet Revolution" that led to democratization of the former Czechoslovakia. In a message, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda hailed the members who had gathered in Prague ... read more

Buddhism | Apr 14 2007

Bharat Soka Gakkai Men and Women Study at Soka Bodhi Tree Garden

On April 14, 2007, some 300 Bharat (India) Soka Gakkai (BSG) men's and women's division members met at the Soka Bodhi Tree Garden in the outskirts of New Delhi, India, for a study session on Nichiren Buddhism and the history of the SGI. Following lectures on Nichiren's writings and ... read more

Sustainable Development | Apr 14 2007

Earth Day Celebrations and Park Clean-up in Garden Grove, California, USA

On April 14, 2007, Garden Grove Park, located in Garden Grove City, southern California, USA, was the venue for this year's Earth Day celebration and park clean-up cosponsored by the city and the SGI-USA Wild Wild West Area. Local SGI-USA members supported the event by bringing and staffing the "Seeds ... read more

Human Rights | Apr 14 2007

Renowned German Peace Activist and Psychoanalyst Lectures on Gender and Personal Responsibility in Germany

On April 14, 2007, SGI-Germany and the Institute of Oriental Philosophy European Center at Taplow Court, UK, cosponsored a public lecture at the Villa Sachsen Culture Center, Bingen City, Germany. Some 150 attended the lecture by guest speaker Professor Horst-Eberhard Richter, a renowned psychoanalyst and peace activist. Professor Richter is ... read more

Press Releases | Apr 13 2007

Chinese Premier Meets Honorary President of Soka Gakkai Lay Buddhist Group

Tokyo, April 13, 2007/Kyodo JBN/-- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Soka Gakkai Honorary President Daisaku Ikeda at the New Otani Hotel for 30 minutes in the afternoon of April 12. Mr. Wen was accompanied by a party of eleven including Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang ... read more

Culture | Apr 12 2007

Chinese Premier Meets with SGI President

TOKYO: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with SGI President Daisaku Ikeda at the New Otani Hotel for 30 minutes in the afternoon of April 12, 2007. Mr. Wen was accompanied by a party of eleven including Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi. Soka Gakkai President ... read more

Education | Apr 11 2007

Columbia University's Teachers College Press Publishes Ethical Visions of Education: Philosophies in Practice

The Teachers College Press of Columbia University recently published Ethical Visions of Education: Philosophies in Practice, edited by Professor David Hansen of Columbia University Teachers College and developed by the the Boston Research Center for the 21st Century (BRC). The book features the ideas of some of the 20th century's ... read more

Buddhism | Apr 6 2007

SGI-UK Representatives Attend Training Sessions at SGI European Center in Southern France

From April 1-6, 2007, SGI-UK held training sessions for various groups at the SGI European Center in Trets, southern France. Each session focused on the study of Buddhism. Participants had prepared beforehand by studying selected writings of Nichiren and SGI President Daisaku Ikeda. The men's group studied Nichiren's well-known letter ... read more

Peace and Disarmament | Apr 3 2007

Dr. N. Radhakrishnan of the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti Lectures at the Institute of Oriental Philosophy

On April 3, 2007, Dr. N. Radhakrishnan, former director of the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, New Delhi, India, was invited to lecture at an Indo-Japan Joint Symposium held at the Institute of Oriental Philosophy (IOP), Hachioji, Tokyo, to commemorate the centennial of Gandhi's satyagraha, the non-violence resistance movement for ... read more

Buddhism | Apr 2 2007

Anniversary of Second Soka Gakkai President's Death Commemorated

On and around April 2, 2007, Soka Gakkai commemorated the 49th anniversary of the death of second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda (1900-58) with memorial services at major culture and community centers throughout Japan. On April 2, at Tokyo Makiguchi Memorial Hall, Hachioji, Tokyo, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda led a prayer ... read more

Buddhism | Apr 1 2007

University of Nairobi Professor Speaks at SGI-Kenya General Meeting

Professor Henry Indangasi began by congratulating the participants on SGI-Kenya's anniversary. He recalled his first encounter with the SGI in 1986 when SGI President Daisaku Ikeda received the Kenya Oral Literature Association Award in proxy at the University of Nairobi. Thereafter, when the University of Nairobi undertook the Swahili translation ... read more

Education | Mar 31 2007

SGI-Brazil Educators Promote Literacy Education

During February and March 2007, the SGI-Brazil (BSGI) Education Department held instructors' training seminars for its 150 Adult Literacy Education Program volunteers in the four Brazilian cities of São Paulo, Mogi das Cruzes, Ribeirão Preto and Ponta Grossa. The training seminars were held to review and improve the program to ... read more

Buddhism | Mar 29 2007

SGI-Europe Youth Celebrate March 16 and Reaffirm Their Commitment to Peace

SGI organizations throughout Europe commemorated March 16, 1958, a significant day in SGI's history when second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda met with 6,000 youth and bequeathed to them what he considered their mission--to work tirelessly for humanity's peace, prosperity and happiness, based on the philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism. With ... read more

Buddhism | Mar 28 2007

SGI-Taiwan Publishes Fifth Volume of Anthology of Nichiren's Writings in Modern Chinese

SGI-Taiwan recently published the fifth volume of an anthology of Nichiren's writings in modern Chinese. The classical literary style is also provided. The newest volume includes "The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind," considered to be one of Nichiren's most important writings. [Adapted from an article in the March 28, ... read more

Human Rights | Mar 28 2007

Human Rights Education Conference in Murmansk, Russia

Kazunari Fujii, SGI UN Liaison Officer in Geneva and chair of the NGO Working Group on Human Rights Education & Learning of the CONGO (Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationships with the UN), attended an International Conference on Human Rights Education from March 27-28, 2007, in Murmansk, northwest Russia, organized ... read more

Buddhism | Mar 25 2007

SGI Associations Throughout Latin America Hold Commemorative Gatherings

On March 16, 2007, the young men and young women of SGI-Peru each held meetings at the SGI-Peru Culture Center in Lima to reaffirm their dedication to developing their own lives and further contributing to peace and prosperity in Peru and the world at large. On the previous day at ... read more

Buddhism | Mar 25 2007

SGI-USA Youth Celebrate March 16

During March 2007, SGI-USA youth throughout the country commemorated March 16, 1958, a historic day in the history of the Soka Gakkai. On that day, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, weakened and failing in health, bequeathed the task of realizing the peace and happiness of humanity based on the ... read more

Buddhism | Mar 25 2007

Youth Study Session at Soka Bodhi Tree Garden, New Delhi, India

Some 1,000 Bharat (India) Soka Gakkai (BSG) youth members from throughout India gathered at an auditorium in New Delhi on March 24, 2007, and on the following day at the Soka Bodhi Tree Garden in the outskirts of New Delhi, India. The youth studied Nichiren's writings and SGI President Daisaku ... read more

Culture | Mar 25 2007

Spring Festival in San Francisco Showcases Cultural Diversity

On March 25, 2007, SGI-USA members and guests in northern California were treated to a Spring Festival that included songs and dances from 11 different cultural traditions along with American rock and roll standards and hip hop dancing. The annual event began a number of years ago as a Chinese ... read more

Peace and Disarmament | Mar 25 2007

Women's Peace Conference Held in Malaysia's Sabah Region

On March 24 and 25, 2007, Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) women and young women hosted a women's peace conference titled "The Role of Women in Building Bridges of Peace through Culture and Arts." The conference, aimed at deepening an understanding of the significance and role of culture and the ... read more

Interfaith | Mar 25 2007

SGI New Zealand Race Relations Day in Auckland

On March 25, 2007, SGI-New Zealand (SGI-NZ) sponsored "Overcoming the Challenges of Difference," a public event celebrating diversity and fostering a shared humanity, at the SGI-NZ Culture Center in Auckland. The activity supported New Zealand's Race Relations Day and the UN "International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination," which ... read more

Buddhism | Mar 24 2007

SGI-Italy Holds National Leaders' Meeting

On March 24, 2007, some 500 SGI-Italy representatives attended a national leaders' meeting at the SGI-Italy Culture Center in Florence. SGI President Daisaku Ikeda sent a congratulatory message and a poem dedicated to the SGI-Italy members. The meeting opened with a performance of "Young Heroes," the SGI-Italy Youth Division song. ... read more

Education | Mar 24 2007

Hong Kong Soka Kindergarten Rated "Excellent" by Education and Manpower Bureau

Hong Kong Soka Kindergarten (HKSK) received an "excellent" rating for 2005-06 from the Education and Manpower Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in recognition of the school's high-quality education, teachers and staff. Bureau inspectors in charge of assessing the quality assurance of kindergartens noted that ... read more

Interfaith | Mar 21 2007

Interfaith and Cultural Events Accompany Peacebuilders Exhibition in Oxford, UK

Between March 21 and 31, 2007, SGI-UK members in Oxfordshire hosted a series of events including interfaith discussions, talks and activities for schoolchildren at Oxford Town Hall, to accompany the showing of the Gandhi, King, Ikeda (GKI) exhibition that introduces the lives of the three peacebuilders. "I was very impressed ... read more

Human Rights | Mar 20 2007

SGI Representative Moderates Panel Discussion on Human Rights Education

On March 20, 2007, at the UN European Headquarters in Geneva, a panel discussion parallel to the 4th session of the UN Human Rights Council on the UN World Programme for Human Rights Education and the Right to Education was organized by the NGO Working Group on Human Rights ... read more

Buddhism | Mar 18 2007

Bharat (India) Soka Gakkai Holds Study Sessions on Nichiren Buddhism

On March 17 and 18, 2007, Bharat (India) Soka Gakkai (BSG), held its first study session with SGI Study Department Chief Katsuji Saito from Japan. A total of 1,000 representatives throughout India attended. On March 17, the participants studied "The Opening of the Eyes" and "Reply to Kyo'o" together with ... read more

Buddhism | Mar 18 2007

SGI-Taiwan Studies Nichiren's Writings; Holds Study Exam for Lecturers on Nichiren Buddhism

On March 17 and 18, 2007, SGI-Taiwan held study sessions on Nichiren Buddhism with a special lecture by Soka Gakkai Study Department Chief Masaaki Morinaka from Japan on "On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime," one of Nichiren's writings, based on SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's lecture on the same writing. A ... read more

Buddhism | Mar 18 2007

SGI-Sri Lanka Holds Youth General Meeting

On March 18, 2007, SGI-Sri Lanka youth members held their fourth general meeting at the SGI-Sri Lanka Culture Center in Colombo. The meeting, attended by SGI members and their guests, began with SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's congratulatory message followed by a choral performance and local traditional dances. A young woman ... read more