SGI Canada Newsletter, No. 130 - May 23, 2025
SGI Canada Newsletter
Issue no. 130
May 23, 2025
Welcome to the 130th issue of the SGI Canada Newsletter, a bi-weekly summary of news, upcoming events and encouragement. If you are not subscribing to the SGI Canada Newsletter, you may do so by clicking on the button below. Subscriptions are free of charge, and the SGI Canada Newsletter will be emailed directly to you.
Encouragement
Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada’s editorial - “Summoning Forth an Invincible Spirit!”
In his editorial in the June issue of Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai monthly study journal, Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada says that “capable individuals are the most valuable of treasures”:
The peak of Mount Fuji is exposed to fierce winds, yet this magnificent monarch among mountains remains unmoved, supported by its vast and enduring foundations.
In the same way, the Soka Gakkai, as the monarch of the world of religion, stands firm against any storm. And the bedrock of this great, unshakable mountain is our members—who share with others our philosophy of happiness and strive to expand our movement for truth and justice across the world.
In 1970, the Soka Gakkai stood at the center of what has come to be known as the Freedom of Speech Incident.[1] That May, addressing a press conference amid a storm of vicious slander and attacks against the Soka Gakkai, President Ikeda declared with calm composure: “Please wait and see how the Soka Gakkai develops in the 21st century! We’ll have a steady stream of outstanding individuals who are making great contributions to society. That will be the proof of my victory!”
Capable individuals are the most valuable of treasures. President Ikeda dedicated himself to personally raising successors, vowing to transform darkness into light in this way.
A month after that press conference, representatives from the Tokyo metropolitan area Future Division gathered in Kanagawa Prefecture. Reflecting on events such as the Osaka Incident,[2] President Ikeda offered them strict yet compassionate guidance—urging them to become individuals who protect ordinary people and work for their happiness. The youthful, earnest successors engraved in their hearts their mentor’s heartfelt resolve to fully entrust them with the future of the Soka Gakkai. Over the past half-century, the members of the Future Group (groups of Future Division members in various regions across Japan)—have grown into leaders in both society and the movement for kosen-rufu and are dedicating their lives to encouraging others, manifesting actual proof of Nichiren Buddhism.
The complete editorial will appear in the July issue of NEW CENTURY.
News
Delivery of SGI Canada publications
The ongoing labour dispute at Canada Post may lead to disruptions in mail delivery either locally or across the country. This may affect delivery of your June and July SGI Canada publications. We hope that the labour dispute will be resolved soon, and that subscribers will receive their publications without too much delay.
New Century, ère nouvelle and From Today Onward are all available online right now to
subscribers with an SGI Canada online account. We are currently working on also making Chinese New Century available online.
If you are an SGI Canada practitioner and have an SGI Canada online account, you can read your publications by simply going to sgicanada.org and clicking on the Online Portal button at the top right corner of the screen.
If you are an SGI Canada practitioner and you do not yet have an online account, this is the right time to sign up! For instructions, click HERE.
By creating your own personal SGI Canada account, you can subscribe to publications and make secure online donations. You can also use your online account to read the English and French-language publications to which you subscribe, and access your tax receipts and personal information.
Many SGI Canada members have already registered. We hope you will also take advantage of this convenient method of making online donations, subscribing to SGI Canada publications, and reading them online.
“Real Talk: How Soka Gakkai Activities Impact Our Lives”
The second video of “Real Talk,” a three-part series, has been released on the Soka Gakkai Official YouTube channel. Watch the latest episode here. The series is currently available in English only.
President Harada Sends Congratulatory Message to New Pope
On May 9, Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada sent a congratulatory message on behalf of Soka Gakkai members throughout the world to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, who was elected the 267th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church on May 8.
In the message, President Harada stated that the appointment signified a “new and hope-filled departure for the global Catholic community and for people everywhere who yearn for peace.”
Referring to the role of religion, he expressed his hope that His Holiness would provide leadership that “serves to unite humanity in pursuit of harmony, peace and stability, renewal and flourishing” and affirmed the Soka Gakkai’s commitment to dialogue and collaboration toward the realization of these values. President Harada concluded his message by extending his wishes for His Holiness’ good health and success.
SGI Canada Special Kosen-rufu Fund
Thank you very much for your generous donations to the SGI Canada Special Kosen-rufu Fund.
Members can contribute at any time through their SGI Canada online portal account (by credit card or debit card) at https://sgicinfo.org/portal/login or by mailing a cheque to SGI Canada at 2050 Dufferin Road, Toronto, Ont. M6E 3R6.
Monthly contributions from a chequing account can also be made by completing a Pre-Authorized Payment (PAP) form available from district leaders.
If you have any difficulties making a donation online, please contact support@sgicinfo.org. For all other enquiries (including subscriptions to publications) please email contact@sgicanada.org. Help is available in English and French.
Thank you so much for your sincere donation and for your support in every way for the advancement of kosen-rufu in Canada!
We hope you found this newsletter beneficial. Please email your questions or comments to contact@sgicanada.org. Please note that the next SGI Canada Newsletter will appear on June 6, 2025. See you then!
[1] The name given to a controversy that arose in 1970, when the Soka Gakkai tried to defend itself from libel. For further details, see the “Fierce Winds” chapter of The New Human Revolution, vol. 14.
[2] Osaka Incident: The occasion when President Ikeda, then Soka Gakkai youth division chief of staff, was arrested and wrongfully charged with election law violations in a House of Councillors by-election in Osaka in 1957. At the end of the court case, which continued for more than four years, he was fully exonerated of all charges on January 25, 1962.