All News
Sustainable Development | Apr 11 2006
SGI-Paraguay Hosts "Seeds of Change" Environmental Exhibition
On March 25, "Seeds of Change: The Earth Charter and Human Potential," an exhibit highlighting the Earth Charter as a "map" pointing toward sustainable living and environmental preservation, opened for the first time in Paraguay at the Asuncion Agency of Tourism building. Guests from various sectors of society attended, including ... read more
Culture | Apr 11 2006
Chinese Friendship Delegation Visits Soka Gakkai's Okinawa Training Center
On April 10, a delegation from the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, led by President Chen Haosu, visited Soka Gakkai's Okinawa Training Center and were welcomed by local members. There, the Chinese delegates toured the Okinawa World Peace Monument, which was built upon the site of a ... read more
Education | Apr 9 2006
New Zealand's Raukawa Trust Commends Soka Schools Founder Daisaku Ikeda and Mrs. Ikeda for Contributions to Peace and Education
The Raukawa Trust Board, New Zealand, commended Soka Schools founder Daisaku Ikeda and Mrs. Kaneko Ikeda for their outstanding contributions to peace and education and presented them with honorific Maori titles "Kaumatua o Raukawa" (Maori Raukawa Great Wise Man) and "Kuia o Raukawa" (Maori Raukawa Great Wise Woman), together with ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Apr 8 2006
SGI-Brazil's Orchestra Helps Celebrate Ribeirão Preto City's 150th Anniversary
On March 18, Brazil SGI (BSGI)'s Ikeda Philharmonic Orchestra of Humanism held a peace concert at a theater in Ribeirão Preto City, as part of the city's 150th anniversary celebrations. ... read more
Buddhism | Apr 7 2006
SGI Youth in French Guiana Hold Cultural Event
On March 18, some 120 SGI youth and their friends in French Guiana, South America, commemorated March 16 in a suburb of Cayenne. Bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and situated between Brazil and Suriname, French Guiana, of which 90% is a tropical forest, lies in a tropical belt just north ... read more
Culture | Apr 7 2006
Chinese Friendship Delegation Visits Soka Gakkai
On April 6, President Chen Haosu of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and his party were warmly welcomed by Soka Gakkai Vice General Director Hiromasa Ikeda and staff at the Seikyo Press building in Shinanomachi, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. Expressing appreciation for SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's longstanding ... read more
Buddhism | Apr 5 2006
SGI Members in Africa Celebrate March 16
SGI youth in Africa joined other young people around the world to commemorate March 16, 1958, a day epitomizing youth awakening to their profound individual mission for creating lasting peace. In Kenya, located in eastern Africa, some 30 young people, including six guests, attended a commemorative event on March 12 in ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Apr 2 2006
Singapore Soka Association Hosts Lecture by Dr. Syed Hussein Alatas from National University of Malaya
On March 24, Singapore Soka Association (SSA) sponsored its sixth Daisaku Ikeda Annual Lecture at the SSA headquarters. Among the 800 attendees and guests were Singapore Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim; Prof. Lim Chong Yah, Chair Professor of Albert Winsemius Economics and Director of Economic ... read more
Buddhism | Apr 1 2006
New Soka Young Women's Center Completed
On March 31, the Soka Young Women's Center was completed in Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo. The new building, which has two stories above ground and two stories below ground, a large prayer hall and conference rooms, will serve as the hub for young women's division (YWD) activities in Japan. YWD Chief ... read more
Buddhism | Mar 31 2006
Book on Soka Gakkai and Globalization of Buddhist Humanism Published
University of California Press recently published Encountering the Dharma: Daisaku Ikeda, Soka Gakkai, and the Globalization of Buddhist Humanism by Dr. Richard Hughes Seager, associate professor of Religious Studies at Hamilton College, New York, USA. Dr. Seager, a distinguished historian of religion specializing in the history of religious encounter and ... read more
Buddhism | Mar 29 2006
SGI-Europe Youth Commemorate March 16
In the SGI, March 16, 1958 is celebrated as a day epitomizing youth awakening to their mission and accepting responsibility for creating lasting peace. SGI youth around the world celebrated the day with various events, including those of SGI-Europe. In a message, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda expressed his hopes that ... read more
Human Rights | Mar 29 2006
Human Rights Exhibition Opens in Oita Prefecture
On March 28, the exhibition "21st Century Human Rights Exhibition of Hope--You Are Invaluable" opened at Tokiwa Industry's Across Akeno Center in Oita City, Oita Prefecture. The Office of the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights and the UN Information Center are among the supporters. Prior to the ribbon-cutting for ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Mar 25 2006
Student Division Sponsors Lecture on a Warless East Asia
On March 24, the Soka Gakkai Student Division sponsored its second lecture in a series at the Josei Toda International Center in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. Speaking on "The Path to a Warless East Asia Community," Professor Takehiko Yamamoto of Waseda University emphasized the importance of establishing a system of security, ... read more
Buddhism | Mar 24 2006
European Academy of Sciences and Arts President Felix Unger Speaks on Future of Medicine and Humanity
On March 23, European Academy of Sciences and Arts President and a world-renowned cardiologist Felix Unger lectured on "Medicine and the Future of Mankind" at an Institute of Oriental Philosophy (IOP) symposium held at the Nihon Seinenkan in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. This is also the topic of a serialized dialogue ... read more
Buddhism | Mar 23 2006
Singapore Soka Association Holds Entrance and Intermediate-Level Study Examinations on Nichiren Buddhism
On March 12, some 2,100 Singapore Soka Association members, ranging in age from 15 to 85 years, sat for the Study Department entrance and intermediate-level examinations in Serangoon, northeastern Singapore. The exam was conducted in English and Chinese. The study material included Nichiren's life and "Letter from Sado" and "On ... read more
Buddhism | Mar 20 2006
Hokkaido Youth Hold Experience Rallies at 135 Venues
Soka Gakkai youth in Hokkaido have been sponsoring experience rallies throughout their area. On March 19, rallies were held at over 50 locations. Many friends and guests from various social spheres attended the rally at the Hokkaido Ikeda Hall in Sapporo. The event, titled "The Power of Youth," began with ... read more
Culture | Mar 18 2006
Soka Gakkai Seafarers' Photography Exhibition to Open March 29 in Vietnam
"Beyond the Horizon," an exhibit of photographs taken by the "Hato-kai," Soka Gakkai members working on ocean-going vessels, will open March 29 at the Vietnam Maritime University in Haiphong, Vietnam. The exhibition has traveled to seaports throughout the world, including Japan, Russia, the Philippines, China and India. This is the ... read more
Education | Mar 14 2006
Panama Education Ministry Commends SGI President for Educational Contributions
The National Department of Private Education, Ministry of Education, Panama, recently commended SGI President Daisaku Ikeda for his educational contributions. The conferral took place on February 17, 2006, at Antigua Bilingual Academy in Panama City, during a seminar on Soka Education and the pedagogy of first Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo ... read more
Buddhism | Mar 13 2006
Bahrat (India) Soka Gakkai Members Hold Family Festivals in Soka Bodhi Tree Garden
From January 15 through March 5, Bharat (India) Soka Gakkai members held family festivals at the Soka Bodhi Tree Garden in a suburb of New Delhi. Inviting family members, BSG members held unique, creative "family festivals" in appreciation for their families' support of their activities in the BSG and in ... read more
Buddhism | Mar 13 2006
SGI-Portugal Holds Study Session in Trets, Southern France
From February 25-28, 100 SGI-Portugal members, mainly youth, attended a study session at the SGI European Center in Trets, southern France. The organization, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2005, has grown to one headquarters and four chapters. Newly appointed SGI-Europe Chair Hideaki Takahashi and SGI-Europe Women's Chair Sakae Takahashi ... read more
Culture | Mar 8 2006
Soka University Opens Beijing Office Near Peking University, China
On March 6, Soka University opened its Beijing Office in the Resource Building located adjacent to Peking University. Many guests attended, including representatives from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 44 universities and academic institutions, the China-Japan Friendship Association and the All-China Youth Federation. A delegation from Soka University, led by ... read more
Interfaith | Mar 7 2006
SGI-USA Representative Speaks at Interfaith Event During UN Commission on the Status of Women, in New York
On March 1, 2006, the Temple of Understanding, a nongovernmental organization accredited with the United Nations (UN), hosted a second lecture on "Religion and Global Citizenship" in New York, USA. This event was an official parallel event of the 50th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Mar 5 2006
Soka Gakkai Women's Peace Committee Sponsors Culture of Peace Forums
On March 4, 2006, Soka Gakkai Women's Peace Committee's (WPC) "Culture of Peace" forums were held respectively in Nakano and Sumida Wards, Tokyo; Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture; Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture; and Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. At each venue, women representatives shared how they overcame hardships through their practice of ... read more
Culture | Mar 5 2006
Soka Gakkai Delegates Visit Renowned Chinese Scholar, Professor Jao Tsung-i
On March 3, a Soka Gakkai delegation headed by SGI Vice President Hiromasa Ikeda visited renowned Chinese scholar, Professor Jao Tsung-I, professor emeritus of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong City. Known as the "Leonardo da Vinci of the Orient" and "Great Sage of Chinese Literature," Professor ... read more
Buddhism | Mar 3 2006
23,000 Pass Youth Division Advanced Level Study Examination on Nichiren Buddhism
Some 23,000 passed the advanced level youth division study examination on Nichiren Buddhism that took place on February 26 throughout Japan. Soka Gakkai Study Department Chief Katsuji Saito congratulated the successful candidates, as well as thanked those who supported their study efforts behind the scenes, including everyone involved in the ... read more
Culture | Mar 3 2006
Chinese Culture University, Taiwan, Hosts Gandhi, King, Ikeda Exhibition
At the invitation of the Chinese Culture University, Taiwan, Soka Gakkai representatives attended the university's commemorative events celebrating its 44th anniversary. On March 1, the "Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace," an exhibition introducing the human rights and peace activism of three 20th century leaders, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin ... read more
Culture | Mar 3 2006
Soka Gakkai Delegates Visit National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan
On March 1, a Soka Gakkai delegation, headed by Hiromasa Ikeda, visited the National Palace Museum (NPM) in Tapei, Taiwan. NPM receives over 2 million visitors annually, making it one of the most popular museums worldwide. Speaking with museum representatives, Vice President Ikeda emphasized the exalted, universal values of culture ... read more
Buddhism | Feb 27 2006
Soka Gakkai Holds Youth Division Advanced-level Examination on Nichiren Buddhism
On February 26, approximately 45,800 Soka Gakkai youth sat for an advanced-level study examination at 457 locations throughout Japan. The 90-minute exam focused on four of Nichiren's major writings in the original classical Japanese, "The True Object of Worship," "Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life" and portions of "Letter ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Feb 26 2006
Soka Gakkai Women's Peace Committee Sponsors Culture of Peace Forums
The Soka Gakkai Women's Peace Committee's (WPC) "Culture of Peace" forums have been well-received across Japan. On February 25, during a forum held at the Tsukuba Culture Center in Ibaraki Prefecture, Keiko Murakami, Kumiko Sawahata, Tokue Nakazawa and Kiriko Otsukawa shared experiences spanning international exchanges, caregiving and dealing with a child ... read more
Culture | Feb 22 2006
SGI Mourns Loss of Master Chinese Painter Fang Zhaoling
SGI President Daisaku Ikeda sent his condolences upon the death of master Chinese painter Fang Zhaoling, "Hong Kong's Mother of the Arts," on February 20, 2006. Madame Fang was 92 years old. In a telegram to the family, Mr. Ikeda expressed deep sorrow at the loss of humanity's great treasure ... read more
Buddhism | Feb 21 2006
Soka Gakkai Agriculture and Fisheries Division Members Gather throughout Japan
On February 18-19, 2006, members of the Soka Gakkai Agriculture and Fisheries Division gathered for an annual conference in their respective prefectures. At each venue, the ninth Agriculture and Fisheries Renaissance Rally was broadcast via satellite. Three representatives gave progress reports on their particular business. Nobuaki Omori, Miyazaki Prefecture, together with ... read more
Humanitarian Activities | Feb 21 2006
SGI President Sends Condolences to Republic of the Philippines President for Massive Landslide
SGI President Daisaku Ikeda sent a condolence telegram, on behalf of the SGI, to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Republic of the Philippines, following the devastating landslide on Leyte Island on February 17, 2006. In his message, Mr. Ikeda expressed his deep sympathy for the victims and sincere prayers for ... read more
Buddhism | Feb 17 2006
Nichiren's Birthday Observed
On February 16, Soka Gakkai members throughout Japan and SGI members throughout the world, held services commemorating Nichiren's birthday at respective centers. Nichiren was born February 16, 1222 in Awa Province in what is now Chiba Prefecture. SGI President Daisaku Ikeda attended the service at the Soka Gakkai Headquarters No. ... read more
Culture | Feb 17 2006
China's Ambassador to Japan and SGI President Meet
On February 16, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda and Soka Gakkai representatives welcomed Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi and his party at the Seikyo Press Building in Shinanomachi, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. They discussed Sino-Japan friendship and Asia's growth and development in the current age. Mr. Ikeda affirmed that Japan owes ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Feb 11 2006
Toda Institute Celebrates Tenth Anniversary with Conference on UN Reforms
On February 11, 2006, the Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research, a Soka Gakkai-affiliated peace organization, celebrates its 10th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, the Toda Institute hosted an international conference February 4-5, in Los Angeles, USA, with a theme of "Transforming the United Nations: Human Development, Regional ... read more
Buddhism | Feb 10 2006
Buddhism Study Conference Held at Florida Nature and Culture Center
January 27-30, 2006, some 187 representatives of SGI North American and Latin American countries attended a study conference on Nichiren Buddhism at the SGI-USA Florida Nature and Culture Center (FNCC) near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. SGI Study Department Chief Katsuji Saito lectured on January 28-29. The study material included "Reply ... read more
Human Rights | Feb 8 2006
Boston Research Center for the 21st Century and Wellesley Centers for Women Cosponsor "The Eleanor Roosevelt Lecture on Global Vision"
On February 1, 2006, "The Eleanor Roosevelt Lecture on Global Vision" took place at the Boston Research Center (BRC), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. The lecture, the fifth and final, in the Women of Courage lecture series, was cosponsored by the BRC and the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College. Launched ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Feb 5 2006
Soka Gakkai Women's Peace Committee Hosts Peace Forums in Chiba, Tochigi and Ibaraki
On February 3 and 4, 2006, Soka Gakkai's Chiba Prefecture Women's Peace Committee hosted a "Culture of Peace" forum at the Soka Gakkai Kisarazu Culture Center in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture. Four women shared their experiences that included a first-hand account of war and involvement with a nursing care for ... read more
Education | Feb 4 2006
The Mahatma Gandhi People's Welfare Trust, India, Confers Ramachandran-Ikeda Award
The Mahatma Gandhi People's Welfare Trust recently conferred its fifth Ramachandran-Ikeda Award on Kerala Harijan Sevak Sangh, a welfare organization. The award, commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of Dr G. Ramachandran and the 75th year of Soka Gakkai's foundation, recognized Kerala Harijan Sevak Sangh's work in providing educational scholarships to ... read more
Culture | Feb 2 2006
Soka Gakkai Remembers Victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake
On January 19-25, the 2nd International Orchid Festival was held at Maejo University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, celebrating the 60th coronation anniversary of his Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. SGI-Thailand chorus members performed at a commemorative ceremony on January 23, graced by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand. [Since 1961, SGI President ... read more
Buddhism | Jan 30 2006
SGI-Macau and SGI-Hong Kong Hold Study Session, Respectively; SGI-Hong Kong Publishes Chinese Translation of Nichiren's Writings
SGI-Macau held a beginning-level study session on Nichiren Buddhism on January 21, at the SGI-Macau Culture Center. Some 100 members attended and discussed basic concepts of Nichiren Buddhism, such as "faith, practice and study"--the three essential elements of the practice of Nichiren Buddhism. On January 23, some 300 SGI-Hong Kong ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Jan 28 2006
SGI-USA Hosts Youth Nonviolence Conference to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On January 16, a national holiday celebrating and honoring the life and achievements of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), SGI-USA hosted the third annual youth nonviolence conference at the SGI-USA New York Culture Center. Some 120 SGI-USA youth representatives and members of UN NGOs participated. Entitled ... read more
Buddhism | Jan 27 2006
SGI-USA Celebrates Chinese New Year
On January 22, 2006, SGI-USA hosted a Lunar (Chinese) New Year celebration at the SGI-USA World Culture Center in Santa Monica, California, USA. Some 1,000 SGI-USA members, mainly of Asian ancestry, gathered together with their families and friends. Attractions included dances with a youthful beat, traditional Chinese Kung Fu performed ... read more
Buddhism | Jan 27 2006
SGI Members in Togo, Kenya and Côte d'Ivoire, Africa, Respectively Kick Off 2006
On January 8, 2006, some 500 SGI-Togo members met in Lome, the capital of Togo. Youth leaders expressed their resolve to take the initiative in promoting the humanistic philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism for the sake of people's happiness and the betterment of society. SGI-Kenya leaders met on January 15, in ... read more
Buddhism | Jan 27 2006
Seikyo Shimbun Holds Grand 55th Anniversary Reception
On January, 26, 2006, the Seikyo Shimbun, which celebrates its 55th anniversary this April, hosted a reception commemorating the occasion in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. Over 1,700 guests, including those from the media and foreign embassies, were welcomed by Soka Gakkai President Einosuke Akiya, General Director Toru Aoki, Vice General Director ... read more
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