SGI Canada Newsletter, No. 132 - June 20, 2025
SGI Canada Newsletter
Issue no. 132
June 20, 2025
Welcome to the 132nd 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
SGI President Daiskaku Ikeda’s encouragement for the Future Division - “Make Fresh Progress Each Day”
SGI President Daisaku Ikeda offered the following encouragement to members of the Future Division in an article published in the May 1 2025, issue of the Mirai [Future] Journal, the Soka Gakkai monthly newspaper for the junior high and high school divisions:
You go to school, take part in club or team activities, and then go home to study and do your homework. Some of you may also attend cram school or take music or other kinds of lessons. And on top of all that, you’re also challenging yourselves in your Future Division activities.
I’m sure you are all doing your absolute best, and that’s very admirable. Please know that I am praising you wholeheartedly, even if no one else does.
I can imagine how tough it must be being so busy, but it’s at such times that young people can really grow and develop. Spending your days doing nothing and just taking it easy might be nice once in a while, but if every day were like that, you’d get bored and restless and wouldn’t feel fulfilled.
Not only people, but all living things, are constantly evolving and growing. Life never stands still for a moment.
To be busy is to be alive. Finding ways amid your full schedules to encourage and motivate yourselves and to keep making fresh progress each day is the key to success in life.
Because you are so busy, please use your time wisely and be sure to get enough sleep. You can’t keep going very long without sleep. Make your health your top priority and don’t overexert yourselves.
*
If you’ve got a busy morning, it’s all right to just chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo three times to the Gohonzon. Chanting sincerely and strongly is what matters.
Remember, you have at your disposal the most powerful tool of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. So even when you’re busy, don’t forget to chant. It will let you greet the day filled with life force as vibrant and dynamic as the rising sun.
News
Young Lions and Young Phoenix General Meetings in June
This month, the Young Lions Group and the Young Phoenix Group will both hold their General Meetings.
The theme for the Young Lions Meeting is “Peace Starts with Me and You – We can chant for World Peace”. In her message for the meetings, Young Lions Leader Kumi Hardin says that “world peace may sound like it is something difficult to achieve, but it does not exist somewhere far away”[1]. She quotes Ikeda Sensei’s guidance that “where there are smiling faces, hope is created, happiness spreads, and peace shines”[2].
The theme for the Young Phoenix Group General Meeting is: “Your Heart is The Foundation of Your Future!”. Young Phoenix Group Leaders Megumi Takahashi and Harold Hunter have encouraged YPG members across Canada to share their thoughts about why it is important to have a “good heart”.
The General Meetings for both groups will be held at the area or regional level across the country throughout the month of June. Please contact the Young Lions and Young Phoenix leaders in your region for more information.
[1] NEW CENTURY June 2025, p.7.
[2] Ibid.
Congratulations to Soka University of America graduates!
Three young SGI Canada practitioners were part of the Soka University of America graduating class of 2025:
- Maya Klein
- Kako Shimamura
- Keito Newman
Congratulations to Maya, Kako and Keito!
For more information, please see the SUA newsletter at:
https://www.soka.edu/news-events/news/sua-world-student-voices-commencement-day
Canadian SUA graduates Keito Newman (far left)
and Kako Shimamura (second from the right).
Advancement of “Many in Body, One in Mind!” Gatherings of seeking spirit around the world - Canada
The following article appeared in the June 12 2025 edition of Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper.
SGI Canada’s Eastern Region meeting was held joyously on May 4th at the Ottawa Centre and online. Phonexiematte Kierulf shared her experience and a representative leader shared her determination. Men’s Group members performed the Soka Gakkai song “Haha.” SGI Canada General Director, Glenn Turner shared that our daily practice will become the foundation to create our own happiness.
Canadian members expanding happiness and hope in society and their communities.
SGI Canada Women’s Group leader, Helen Izumi-Choi joined the meeting on ZOOM
to encourage the members (photo by Michael Sunderland).
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 July 4, 2025. See you then!