SGI Members Around the World Celebrate New Year's Day

In early January, 2008, SGI members in 190 countries and regions gathered in their respective locales to usher in the new year, designated by the SGI as "Year of Capable People and Development," and to celebrate January 2, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's 80th birthday. On January 1, around 7,000 SGI-UK members met at their centers throughout the country to celebrate the new year. At Taplow Court Grand Culture Center in Berkshire, UK, SGI-UK men leader Robert Harrap lectured on "Offerings in the Snow" from Nichiren's writings (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Volume II, p.809). On the same day, some 600 SGI-Australia members and guests, including Auburn City Mayor Le Lam, celebrated the new year at their center in Sydney.

[Adapted from an articles in the January 4, 11, 13 and 21, 2008 issues of the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan]