All News
Culture | May 25 2006
Soka Gakkai Delegates Visit Nanjing Massacre Museum
On May 22, Soka Gakkai Nanjing Delegation visited the Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre and received a personal tour from museum curator Zhu Chengshan. Words of former premiers Zhou Enlai and Jiang Zeming, "Don't forget the past for it is a lesson for the future" and ... read more
Culture | May 25 2006
Nanjing Arts Institute Honors SGI President
During Jiangsu-Japan People's Friendship Exchange Week, Nanjing Arts Institute (NAI), with a time-honored history spanning 94 years, presented SGI President Daisaku Ikeda with an honorary professorship, the first conferred upon a foreigner. The conferral took place May 22 at the institute's small theater. NAI President Feng Jianqin affirmed that despite ... read more
Culture | May 23 2006
Special Thai Photography Exhibition Commemorates His Majesty the King of Thailand's Reign
On June 1, "Light-Shadow, Under His Majesty the King of Thailand's Reign: the Thai Tradition," a special photography exhibition commemorating the 60th anniversary celebrations of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne, opens at the Soka Gakkai Toda Peace Memorial Hall in Yokohama, Tokyo. The exhibition, which also ... read more
Sustainable Development | May 21 2006
"Dialogue with Nature" Opens at New Soka Gakkai Indonesia Center
On May 14, "Dialogue with Nature--An Exhibition of Photographs by Daisaku Ikeda," featuring some 100 photographs the SGI leader has taken on his travels in Japan and abroad, opened at the new Soka Gakkai Indonesia (SGI-Indonesia) Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia. The show has also toured Semarang, Yogyakarta, and Surybaya cities. ... read more
Buddhism | May 20 2006
Soka Gakkai Indonesia Opens New Headquarters Building; SGI President Commended by Indonesia University of Education and Indonesian Photographers' Association
On May 14, Soka Gakkai Indonesia (SGI-Indonesia) members gathered for the long-awaited opening of their new headquarters building in Jakarta, Indonesia, attended by guests from various sectors of Indonesian society, including Mrs. Mufidah Jusuf Kalla, wife of Indonesian Vice President Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, and President Hasanuddin Yusuf of the Indonesia ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | May 16 2006
Over 20,000 Visit "Women and the Culture of Peace" Exhibition in Kagoshima Prefecture
The Soka Gakkai's "Women and the Culture of Peace" exhibition, which opened on May 10, 2006 at the Soka Gakkai Kagoshoma Culture Center in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, is receiving favorable responses. Over 20,000 visited in the first six days. Created by the Soka Gakkai Women's Peace Committee and the ... read more
Buddhism | May 12 2006
Soka Gakkai Women Launch 55th Anniversary Meetings
Soka Gakkai women have launched meetings celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Women's Division (WD) on June 10. This year, members will meet mostly in small groups. In a message, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda and Mrs. Kaneko Ikeda thanked the women for their dedicated efforts and encouraged them to spend ... read more
Buddhism | May 11 2006
SGI Members Around the World Celebrate May 3 Soka Gakkai Day
SGI members throughout the world celebrated May 3, Soka Gakkai Day, in their respective locales. On May 3, "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 Luther King Jr. and Daisaku Ikeda, opened ... read more
Buddhism | May 10 2006
Soka Gakkai Music Groups Participate in Local Parades Nationwide During Golden Week
Okayama Rainbow Sounds marches in Kurashiki City (May 3, 2006) Combined Hiroshima band parades in Hiroshima City (May 3, 2006) Throughout the "Golden Week" holidays, Soka Gakkai marching bands and fife-and-drum corps participated in various local events and parades. Soka Gakkai Hiroshima Music Band, the Soka Okayama Rainbow Sounds and the ... read more
Education | May 10 2006
Soka Gakkai Youth Peace Conference Hosts Lecture by Bestselling Author Kayoko Ikeda
On the evening of May 9, 2006, some 150 youth attended a lecture by writer and translator of German literature Kayoko Ikeda, at the Josei Toda International Center in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. Soka Gakkai Youth Peace Conference hosted the event as a part of its youth lecture series. Ms. Ikeda ... read more
Culture | May 2 2006
World Poet Laureates' Monument Unveiled at SGI-Korea's Korea-Japan Friendship Training Center
On April 30, SGI-Korea representatives gathered at their Korea-Japan Friendship Training Center in Jeju Island, South Korea, commemorating May 3, Soka Gakkai Day. On the occasion, a stone monument of world poet laureates, inscribed with a quote from SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's poem presented to SGI-Korea members, was unveiled. Bronze ... read more
Buddhism | Apr 30 2006
5,000 Soka Gakkai Youth Rally in Tokyo
On April 29, some 5,000 Soka Gakkai youth representatives gathered from throughout Tokyo, Tokaido and Kanto regions for a rally at Soka University's main auditorium in Hachioji Tokyo. The event commemorated the 55th anniversary of the founding of the Soka Gakkai young men's division (YMD) and young women's division (YWD). ... read more
Sustainable Development | Apr 30 2006
SGI-USA Denver Members Celebrate 18th Annual Cherry Tree Planting
On April 23, 2006, SGI-USA members in Denver, Colorado, USA, celebrated their 18th annual cherry tree planting. Some 250 members planted 65 new trees in Washington Park and a local city park. SGI-USA Denver members inaugurated the tradition in March 1989, to commemorate the opening of their Denver Culture Center, ... read more
Culture | Apr 28 2006
Anson Chan, Former Chief Secretary of Hong Kong, Receives Honorary Doctorate from Soka University and Speaks on "Women in the 21st Century"
On April 27, Ms. Anson Chan, former chief secretary for administration in Hong Kong, received an honorary doctorate from Soka University. Ms. Chan was head of Hong Kong's civil service, from 1993 to 2001, before and after the territory's handover to the People's Republic of China from British colonial rule. ... read more
Culture | Apr 25 2006
Egyptian Ambassador Visits Soka Gakkai
His Excellency Hisham Badr, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Japan, visited Soka Gakkai headquarters on April 24 and met with Vice General Director Hiromasa Ikeda. He expressed appreciation for SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's visit to Cairo, Egypt in 1992 and his meeting with President Hosni Mubarak that ... read more
Culture | Apr 25 2006
US-Japan Friendship for Peace Festival in Southern California
On April 16, SGI-USA hosted the "2006 US-Japan Friendship for Peace" festival at the SGI World Culture Center in Santa Monica, California, USA. Begun in 2005 to promote amity between the people of USA and Japan by the SGI-USA Southern California Japanese Language Group, this year's event drew over 2,000 ... read more
Buddhism | Apr 24 2006
SGI-Brazil's Future Division Celebrates 15 Years
Joyous laughter fills the auditorium as high school students celebrate their springtime of youth Junior high school musicians join SGI-Brazil's Ikeda Philharmonic Orchestra of Humanism for a combined performance The SGI-Brazil (BSGI) Future Division, comprising young people from elementary school through high school, celebrated its 15th anniversary on April 8 at ... read more
Interfaith | Apr 24 2006
Finding Meaning in Death: Interfaith Forum in Norfolk, Virginia, USA
On April 24, 2006, at an interfaith forum sponsored by Wesleyan College's Center for the Study of Religious Freedom, students and community members tackled one of humanity's most profound topics: death. Panelists discussing how various religious communities find meaning in death included native American spiritual leader; a rabbi and Wesleyan ... read more
Buddhism | Apr 23 2006
Soka Gakkai Fuji Fife-and-Drum Corps Marches in Shinjuku City Parade
Fuji Fife-and-Drum Corps members march pass the Josei Toda International Center (in background) during a local Shinjuku parade On April 22, the Soka Gakkai Fuji Fife-and-Drum Corps marched along Gaien-nishi Avenue, passing in front of the Josei Toda International Center, home of the SGI headquarters. The parade celebrated completion of new ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Apr 23 2006
"Building a Culture of Peace" Exhibition Opens in New Delhi, India
Visitors take notes as they make their rounds In her welcome remarks, BSG Director General Naveena Reddi expressed her hopes that the exhibition will "contribute to changing people's mindset and behavior so that they are grounded in a culture of peace rather than one of war." Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, she said, ... read more
Sustainable Development | Apr 23 2006
SGI-Italy Sponsors "Seeds of Change" Exhibition in Rivoli, Turin Province, Italy
On April 1 through 9, SGI-Italy hosted "Seeds of Change: The Earth Charter and Human Potential," an exhibit highlighting the Earth Charter as a "map" pointing the way toward sustainable living, in Rivoli City, Turin Province, a satellite city in northern Italy. Rivoli Mayor Prof. Guido Tallone and Mario Rotella ... read more
Culture | Apr 17 2006
Min-On Concert Association's International Exchanges Grow to 93 Countries
During June and July 2006, the folklore ensemble Radzimichy of Belarus will tour 15 cities in Japan at the invitation of the Min-On Concert Association. Belarus marks the 93rd country with which Min-On has had Cultural Activitiess. The ensemble, named after an ancient tribe that inhabited regions of Belarus, had ... read more
Buddhism | Apr 15 2006
SGI-Iceland Becomes a Headquarters
SGI-Iceland recently formed a headquarters with two chapters. The organization held a kick off on April 2 in Reykjavik, the nation's capital. Newly appointed leaders, including Headquarters Chief Eyglo Jonsdottir, gave resolutions. SGI-Europe Chair Hideaki Takahashi and Executive Advisor Shoichi Hasegawa spoke. [Situated next to the North Pole, Iceland is ... read more
Human Rights | Apr 15 2006
Soka Gakkai Youth's Human Rights Exhibition Opens in Kita Kyushu City
The "21st Century Human Rights Exhibition of Hope--You Are Invaluable" opened at the West Japan General Exhibition Center in Kita Kyushu City, on April 14. The Office of the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights and the UN Information Center are among the supporters. The exhibition, which appeals for human ... read more
Education | Apr 15 2006
Boston Research Center for the 21st Century Pays Tribute to Four Educators at 2006 AERA Symposium
On April 10, the Boston Research Center (BRC) hosted an international symposium entitled "Four Enduring Philosophies of Education and the Challenges Facing Teachers Today" during the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the foremost international organization for advancing educational research. This year's gathering, which attracted researchers from ... read more
Peace and Disarmament | Apr 14 2006
SGI-Bolivia Hosts Buddhist Seminar
On April 3-4, SGI-Bolivia held a Buddhist seminar at the SGI-Bolivia Culture Center in Santa Cruz, in collaboration with Nur University, Bolivia. Since July 2003, SGI Bolivia has hosted lectures and seminars on Buddhism, at the request of Professor Juan Martinéz of Nur University, a former Bolivian education minister. This ... read more
Culture | Apr 14 2006
Student Division Sponsors Lecture on Global Citizenship
On April 13, the Soka Gakkai Student Division sponsored its third lecture in a series at the Josei Toda International Center in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. Assistant Professor Akira Mizuguchi of Keiai University, Chiba Prefecture, spoke on "Global Citizens: Dialogue with the Islamic Civilization (tentative translation)." Mr. Mizuguchi stressed that now ... read more
Buddhism | Apr 12 2006
SGI-Cameroon Youth Start Afresh
On April 4, SGI-Cameroon members hosted a youth division general meeting in Kribi, a port city lying on the Gulf of Guinea coast, southern Cameroon. Some 800 members gathered from Yaounde, Cameroon's capital, Douala, Edea and Maroua. Since SGI-Cameroon was officially registered as a non-profit organization advancing culture and education ... read more
Buddhism | Apr 11 2006
SGI Women Around the World Gather--USA, Peru and Italy
During February and March SGI-USA women held their annual women's general meetings with a theme of "Myoho Sisterhood--Continuing to Transform the Impossible into the Possible" at 4,200 venues throughout the United States. Some 50,000 women, including guests and young women's division members, held gatherings infused with cheerful discussions. Crystal Springs District, ... read more
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
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