All News
Buddhism | Jan 14 2007
SGI-USA Opens New Center in Guam
On January 14, 2007, SGI-USA opened a new center on Guam in response to the recent increase in membership. The new center has a prayer hall on the first floor, and several multi-purpose halls on the second floor. A chorus san a song about world peace for the opening. SGI-USA ... read more
Culture | Jan 14 2007
Soka Gran Esperanza Color Guard and Soka Kagoshima Southern Blaze Win Top Honors in National Competition
Soka Gakkai bands and groups competed in the 34th All-Japan Marching Band and Baton Twirling Competition, held at the Nihon Budokan Hall in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on January 13 and 14, 2007. Gran Esperanza flag corps Soka Kagoshima Southern Blaze Competing on January 13, the Fuji Fife-and-Drum Corps' Soka Gran Esperanza flag ... read more
Buddhism | Jan 7 2007
SGI-Taiwan and SGI-South Korea Hold Buddhist Study Examinations
On January 7, 2007, SGI-Taiwan held a promotional exam on Nichiren Buddhism for those who previously passed the entrance-level study examination. Some 5,000 candidates sat for the exam at 31 venues, including one on Penghu Island. On December 3, 2006, SGI-Korea conducted an intermediate-level study examination at 92 centers throughout ... read more
Buddhism | Jan 6 2007
SGI-Cuba First Buddhist Association Officially Registered with Cuban Government
SGI-Cuba recently became the first Buddhist association to be officially recognized as a religious corporation by the Cuban government. On January 6, 2007, a ceremony celebrating the official registration was held in Havana, Cuba's capital. Some 200 attended, including: Caridad Diego Bello, head, Office of Religious Affairs (ORA), Central Committee ... read more
Buddhism | Jan 6 2007
Volume II of De Geschriften van Nichiren Daishonin (Dutch Translations of Nichiren's Writings) Published
SGI-Netherlands recently published a second volume of De Geschriften van Nichiren Daishonin, a Dutch translation of The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, comprising 17 letters and treatises. Included are three of Nichiren's five major writings--"On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land," "The Opening of the Eyes" ... read more
Buddhism | Jan 2 2007
SGI Associations in Oceania Celebrate the New Year
On January 1 and 2, 2007, SGI associations in seven countries and territories of Oceania held New Year's meetings at 16 venues with a total participation of 2,500. In Australia, 1,500 SGI members celebrated the new year at five venues throughout the country on January 1. At the meeting in ... read more
Interfaith | Jan 2 2007
Singapore Soka Association Participates in Interfaith Event
On January 2, 2007 some 2,000 delegates from almost all religious organizations in Singapore gathered for a dinner reception at Singapore Expo Hall. Among those attending were some 60 representatives from the Singapore Soka Association (SSA) led by SSA Chairman Ong Bon Chai. Participants were encouraged to sit with those ... read more
Buddhism | Jan 1 2007
SGI-Canada Opens New Center in Québec, Canada
On November 4, 2006, SGI-Canada opened an SGI center in Québec City, Québec Province, the only official French-speaking area in North America. The city, with a portion still surrounded by an old castle wall, prospered as a castle town in the early 17th century. Old Québec has been designated as ... read more
Buddhism | Jan 1 2007
SGI-Europe Associations Greet the New Year
SGI-Spain members at the Madrid Center SGI-Belgium members In Spain, some 800 members gathered at 20 venues including Gran Canaria, the Canary Islands, and at the SGI-Spain Culture Center in Madrid. In Italy, some 15,000 members attended meetings at SGI-Italy's ten community centers across the country including the SGI-Italy Culture Center in ... read more
Buddhism | Jan 1 2007
SGI Associations in Asian Countries Ring in the New Year
SGI-Thailand members SGI-Nepal members In SGI-Thailand, some 10,000 members gathered for New Year's meetings at 90 venues around the country. In SGI-Malaysia, as well, over 10,000 members celebrated the new year at 53 venues in 13 states. SGI-Indonesia held meetings at 18 venues including its headquarters building which opened last year, with a ... read more
Buddhism | Jan 1 2007
SGI Associations in Latin America Celebrate the New Year
SGI associations across Latin America held meetings to celebrate the start of the year. On New Year's Day, 1,000 SGI-Brazil (BSGI) representatives living in and around São Paulo, Brazil, gathered at the BSGI Culture Center in São Paulo. In Mexico, SGI members kicked off the New Year at 15 venues; ... read more
Buddhism | Jan 1 2007
SGI New Year's Prayer Meetings Held Across the African Continent
On January 1, 2007, SGI members of the Central African Republic, located in the heart of the continent, met for a New Year's prayer meeting. Since returning from an SGI training session in Japan in October 2006, Jean Chrysostome Gody, SGI-Central African Republic coordinator, has been sharing reports from his ... read more
Buddhism | Jan 1 2007
SGI-Canada Greets the New Year
On January 1, 2007, SGI-Canada held New Year's meetings at locations across the country including the cities of Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax and Saskatoon as well as on Prince Edward Island. At the SGI-Canada Culture Center in Toronto, SGI-Canada General Director Tony Meers emphasized that each individual's personal growth and happiness ... read more
Sustainable Development | Dec 31 2006
Singapore Soka Association Adopts Park
SSA General Director Ong planting a Duranta variegated dwarf shrub SSA volunteers warm up with exercises Under the auspices of Singapore National Park Board's "Adopt a Park" program, women and young women of Singapore Soka Association (SSA) have taken responsibility for beautifying Telok Kurau Park. At the "adoption" ceremony held on December ... read more
Education | Dec 29 2006
Over 8,000 Utilize Soka Gakkai Educational Counseling Centers in Japan during 2006
As part of their educational reform efforts, since 1968, Soka Gakkai members working in education have voluntarily provided free counseling to preschool through high school students and their parents on a variety of problems including bullying, truancy, violence, social withdrawal, problems with interpersonal relationships and learning difficulties. In 2006, 8,598 ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 21 2006
Greek Edition of Burton Watson's The Lotus Sutra Published
Kedros Publishers, Athens, Greece, recently released a Greek edition of The Lotus Sutra, widely considered to be the most important scripture of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. This edition is translated from Burton Watson's translation published in 1993 by Columbia University Press, New York. The 500-page Greek version includes an introduction, ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 19 2006
SGI-Macau and SGI-Hong Kong Celebrate 40th and 45th Anniversaries
Macau: On November 26, 2006, SGI-Macau held its 23rd general meeting at the SGI-Macau Culture Centre. The meeting commemorated SGI-Macau's 40th anniversary and served as a kick-off toward its 50th. Performances by various dance and chorus groups, including the girls' Daybreak Dancers, celebrated the event. A couple shared their experience ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Dec 19 2006
World Federation of the United Nations Associations (WFUNA) Secretary General Visits Soka Gakkai Headquarters, Tokyo
On December 19, 2006, Pera Wells, secretary-general of the World Federation of the United Nations Associations (WFUNA) met with Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada at the Soka Gakkai headquarters in Shinanomachi, Tokyo. She was accompanied by Park Soo Gil, honorary chair of the United Nations Association (UNA) of the Republic ... read more
Education | Dec 19 2006
Chief Editor of Ming Pao Lectures on Responsible Journalism at SGI-Hong Kong Center
On December 1, 2006, SGI-Hong Kong sponsored a lecture by Paul K. B. Cheung, chief editor of Ming Pao, one of Hong Kong's leading newspapers, at the SGI-Hong Kong Culture Centre. Speaking to an audience of 550 on the media's responsibility to society and its influence, Mr. Cheung remarked that ... read more
Culture | Dec 19 2006
Indonesian National Youth Council Visits Soka Gakkai Headquarters
On December 19, 2006, Hasanuddin Yusuf, president of the Indonesian National Youth Council (KNPI), the Republic of Indonesia's largest youth organization, and other KNPI officials visited the Seikyo Shimbun Press offices in Shinanomachi, Tokyo to meet with Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada, General Director Masaaki Masaki, Soka Gakkai International (SGI) ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 17 2006
SGI-Hong Kong, SGI-Macau and SGI-Malaysia Hold Buddhist Study Examinations
On December 17, 2006, SGI-Hong Kong and SGI-Macau held an intermediate-level study examination on Nichiren Buddhism. The candidates were tested on Nichiren's writings. The study material included SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's "Lectures on 'The Opening of the Eyes'" and The World of Nichiren Daishonin's Writings, a dialogue between Mr. Ikeda ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 16 2006
SGI-Korea Young Men Participate in Training Session on Cheju Island
December 1-3, 2006, 108 SGI-Korea Young Men's Division (YMD) representatives from throughout South Korea attended a training session at the Cheju Korea-Japan Friendship Training Center in Seogwipo City, Cheju Province on Cheju Island. The young men studied Buddhist philosophy based on Nichiren's writings and SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's recent speeches ... read more
Education | Dec 14 2006
Government Selects SGI-Taiwan's Monthly Periodical for Young Children as Recommended Reading
The Taiwan Government Information Office (GIO) recently selected Soka Youth, a monthly magazine for young people published by SGI-Taiwan's Cheng Yin Culture Enterprise Co., Ltd., for inclusion in its 27th excellent extracurricular reading list for elementary and junior high school students. Every year, the GIO sponsors a program to ... read more
Sustainable Development | Dec 11 2006
"Seeds of Change" Exhibition at the Indian Museum, Kolkata, India
On December 11, 2006, the "Seeds of Change: The Earth Charter and Human Potential" exhibition was inaugurated at the Indian Museum in Kolkata by Mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya. The exhibition was co-sponsored by Bharat (India) Soka Gakkai (BSG), UNICEF and the West Bengal Federation of United Nations Association (WEBFUNA). Mayor Bhattacharya, ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 10 2006
Bharat (India) Soka Gakkai Holds 32nd General Meeting
On November 26, 2006, 1,200 Bharat (India) Soka Gakkai (BSG) representatives met for their 32nd general meeting at the Soka Bodhi Tree Garden in a New Delhi suburb. In a message, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda congratulated the participants on BSG's development and growth. Encouraging everyone to work in harmony, Mr. ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 10 2006
Youth Support Groups Meet in Italy and Belgium
From December 1 through 3, 2006, a combined training course for SGI-Italy Soka and Byakuren groups was held in Pescia, a small medieval town in the hills northwest of Florence, Italy. The Soka and Byakuren Groups are young men's and young women's support groups, respectively, within the SGI organization that ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 10 2006
SGI-Paraguay Celebrates 45th Anniversary
On December 10, 2006, SGI-Paraguay hosted a general meeting commemorating its 45th anniversary in Pirapo City, Itapúa, Paraguay. Several members recounted how they had applied the philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism in order to surmount hardships and achieve their personal goals, while representatives of each division shared their resolutions for 2007. ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Dec 10 2006
"Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace" Exhibition Shows in Kathmandu and Pokhara, Nepal
Chancellor Satya Mohan Joshi views display Opening ceremony From November 9 through 19, 2006, the exhibition "Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace" was held at the Nepal Art Council in Kathmandu, Nepal. Some 200 guests attended the official opening on November 9. Chancellor of the Nepal Bhasha Academy Satya Mohan ... read more
Culture | Dec 10 2006
China-Japan Friendship Association Delegates and SGI President Discuss Bilateral Friendship
On December 9, 2006, President Song Jian of the China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA), China, and his party were warmly received by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada, and Soka Gakkai youth representatives at Soka Gakkai's Tokyo Makiguchi Memorial Hall in Hachioji, Tokyo. In a two-hour discussion, Mr. ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 9 2006
SGI-Nepal Holds 12th General Meeting
On November 25, 2006, SGI-Nepal members held their 12th general meeting at their center in Kathmandu. In a message, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda stated that sharing in friends' sorrows and sufferings and endeavoring to encourage them through dialogue is to live in accord with Nichiren's teachings. He also encouraged the ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 7 2006
SGI-USA Conducts Memorial Service at Site of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks in New York
Plaque bearing Mr. Ikeda's prayer for peace On October 31, together with SGI-USA representatives, SGI General Director Yoshitaka Ohba of Japan visited "Ground Zero," the site of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, where the former World Trade Center once stood. They offered prayers for the victims of 9/11 as ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 7 2006
SGI-Argentina and SGI-Taiwan Hold Entrance-Level Study Exams on Nichiren Buddhism
On October 29, 2006, SGI-Argentina held an entrance-level examination on Nichiren Buddhism. Some 1,800 members participated at 36 venues in Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Tucuman, Bariloche and others. The members were tested on their knowledge of the life of Nichiren as well as the letters of encouragement he sent his followers, ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 7 2006
SGI-Norway Opens First Center; Holds First Study Examination
On the following day, SGI-Norway held its first study exam on Nichiren Buddhism at the new center. The candidates were tested on basic Buddhist concepts and Nichiren's writings, such as "Many in Body, One in Mind" and "Reply to Kyo'o." ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 7 2006
SGI-Argentina Peace Auditorium Recognized for Architectural Excellence
On December 7, 2006, the University of Palermo, Argentina, presented its Outstanding Building Award to the SGI-Argentina Peace Auditorium in Buenos Aires, recognizing the structure as the best constructed in Argentina during the past ten years. A panel of renowned architects were judges in the competition. SGI-Argentina Peace Auditorium Corindo Testa, ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 6 2006
SGI-UK Opens New Center in Central London
Local SGI members celebrate opening On November 18, 2006, SGI-UK opened a new center in central London, which will serve as the hub of activities for members living in North, Central and East London. Some 500 representatives gathered to celebrate the opening. SGI-UK Vice General Director Kazuo Fujii congratulated everyone, ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 5 2006
New SGI Center Opens in Bremen, Germany
On November 18, Soka Gakkai's 76th anniversary, SGI-Germany opened a new center in Bremen, Germany. The local members attending the opening prayed for the happiness and prosperity of their families and society and for lasting peace in the world. Bremen, situated in northwestern Germany, has a rich history dating back ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 4 2006
Philosophical Dialogue among Confucian, Buddhist and Daoist Scholars in Hong Kong
In a message, IOP founder and SGI President Daisaku Ikeda stated that ideas such as the "golden mean" and "neutrality" that underlie traditional Chinese thought find common ground in the Buddhist concept of the "Middle Way." These schools of thought are expressions of the virtues of the "Middle Way" that ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 4 2006
Lotus Sutra Exhibition in Hong Kong Displays Rare Artifacts from Early Recorded History
On November 25, 2006, some 300 guests attended the opening of "The Lotus Sutra--A Message of Peace and Harmonious Coexistence" at the SGI-Hong Kong Cultural and Recreational Centre. The exhibition brought together a rare collection of artifacts, calligraphic and pictorial representations of the Lotus Sutra including historic originals and reproductions ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 4 2006
8,000 Sit for Buddhist Study Exams in 25 European Countries
This autumn (2006), some 8,000 SGI members in 25 European countries, such as Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, U.K., Switzerland and Belgium, were tested on their study of Nichiren Buddhism. The exam material included basic Buddhist concepts and "Many in Body, One in Mind" and "Reply to Kyo'o" from Nichiren's writings ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 3 2006
SGI Members in Slovenia Host Seminar
On December 2 and 3, 2006, SGI members in the southern Alpine states and Adriatic nations of Europe hosted an "Alpine and Adriatic Seminar" in Ljubljana, the capital of the Republic of Slovenia. Fifty SGI members and their friends from six countries--Italy, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, and Hungary--gathered for a ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 3 2006
SGI-Peru Holds Elementary-Level Buddhist Study Examination in 14 Cities
On December 3, 2006, the SGI-Peru Study Department held an elementary-level examination in 14 cities throughout Peru, including Lima, Peru's capital. Some 780 SGI-Peru members of all ages sat for the examination to test their knowledge on basic Buddhist concepts and Nichiren's writings such as "The True Aspect of All ... read more
Buddhism | Dec 2 2006
SGI-USA Language Groups Help Build Global Network
SGI-USA National Language Bureau representatives discuss their goals for 2007 For those first attending an SGI-USA activity, the wide diversity of its membership, a hallmark of SGI-USA, is immediately apparent. SGI-USA members represent cultures and speak languages from around the globe. Sixty-four representatives representing 13 languages--Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, French, ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Dec 2 2006
"Children and a Culture of Peace" Exhibition Opens in Ishikawa, Tochigi and Yamagata Prefectures
On December 2, 2006, "Children and a Culture of Peace Exhibition: For the Sake of Children's Happiness," created and sponsored by the Soka Gakkai Women's Peace Committee (WPC), opened simultaneously at the Hakusan City Citizen's Exchange Center in Ishikawa Prefecture; the Ohtawara Community Vocational Training Center in Tochigo Prefecture; and ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Dec 1 2006
IAEA Director General Meets with SGI President
On November 30, Nobel Peace Laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an inter-governmental organization under the auspices of the United Nations, met with SGI President Daisaku Ikeda in Tokyo. Dr. ElBaradei and his wife, Aida Elkachef, received a warm welcome from SGI President Daisaku ... read more
Buddhism | Nov 29 2006
SGI-Mexico and Veracruz City Cosponsor Youth Peace Convention
On November 19, SGI-Mexico and Veracruz, a major port city in Mexico, cosponsored the "2nd Youth Peace Convention" at Redondo Campo Hall. Some 600 young people attended from throughout Mexico. Panelists SGI-Mexico Young Men's Leader Roberto Toledo, Jésus Orosco, Veracruz Youth Assembly chair, and Eduardo Muñoz, professor ... read more
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