SGI Canada Newsletter, No. 133 - July 4, 2025
SGI Canada Newsletter
Issue no. 133
July 4, 2025
Welcome to the 133rd 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 - “Achieving Resounding Victory through Shared Struggle”
In his editorial in the July issue of Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai monthly study journal, Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada writes about the significance of July 3, Mentor-Disciple Day:
The spirit to stand up alone—this was the quality most cherished by first Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, our founding mentor.
On July 3, 1945, amid the scorched ruins of war-torn Japan, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda stood alone. Never yielding to the brutal oppression of the militarist government, he emerged from prison as an indomitable champion of the Mystic Law. With unwavering resolve, he vowed to vindicate his mentor, Makiguchi—who had died in prison—by spreading Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings and realizing kosen-rufu. In the steadfast fulfillment of that vow, he inspired the emergence of 750,000 Bodhisattvas of the Earth.
Keeping the burning spirit of Makiguchi and Toda alive in his heart, the young Daisaku Ikeda, Toda’s devoted disciple, waged an unrelenting battle against the devilish nature of the authorities. On July 3, 1957, he was unjustly arrested on false charges in what came to be known as the Osaka Incident.[1] Upon his release from custody on July 17, he proclaimed at the Osaka Rally[2]: “Final victory belongs to those who strive tenaciously in faith!”
Fifty years ago, on July 17, 1975, President Ikeda took time to talk with me and other members in Kanagawa Prefecture. Recalling the day of his release, he called out with conviction: “Let us raise high the banner of humanism and forge ahead with courage and perseverance along the steep path ahead.” Notably, just one day before his full acquittal—on January 24, 1962—he addressed a Kansai young men’s division leaders meeting in Hyogo Prefecture. To his cherished comrades who were fighting alongside him, he declared: “Let us boldly set forth anew, with an unflagging commitment to put the happiness of the people first.”
Bold advance—this is our shared motto as we continue striving to expand justice and truth throughout society.
[1] 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.
[2] Osaka Rally: A Soka Gakkai rally held to protest the unjust detention of President Ikeda by the Osaka District Prosecutor’s Office. It was convened at the Nakanoshima Civic Hall in Osaka on July 17, 1957, the day of President Ikeda’s release after two weeks of interrogation by the authorities.
You’ll find the complete editorial in the September issue of New Century.
News
SGI Representative Speaks at Digital Citizenship Education Forum in France
On May 27 and 28, the Digital Citizenship Education Forum “Let’s Act Now!” was held in Strasbourg, France, organized by the Council of Europe. Representing the NGO Working Group on Human Rights Education and Learning, Elisa Gazzotti of the SGI Office for UN Affairs spoke at a session tackling online disinformation, fake news and political manipulation.
The documentary “Changemakers: Stories of Young Human Rights Educators,” jointly created by the SGI, OHCHR and Amnesty International, was introduced during the Forum. (PR Weekly Jun 23/25)
Chapter 2 of The New Human Revolution volume 30 now available online in French
The Soka Gakkai Office of Translation has announced that chapter 2 of The New Human Revolution volume 30 is now available in French on the Soka Global website. This chapter can be accessed at:
La Nouvelle Révolution humaine | Soka Gakkai (global)
The remaining chapters of volume 30 will be posted on the website in French as soon as official translations become available.
All of The New Human Revolution volume 30 is available online in English and Chinese at:
https://www.sokaglobal.org/resources/study-materials/buddhist-study/the-new-human-revolution.html
Upcoming events
Leaders’ Training Meetings
Many regions and areas will be holding leaders’ training meetings during July. Please contact your area or regional leaders to find out about your local activities.
Countdown to October!
There are only two months to go before the 65th anniversary of President Ikeda’s first visit to Canada. Across the country, plans are being made for commemorative meetings on Sunday October 5. Book the date! More details to come soon!
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 18, 2025. See you then!