SGI Canada Newsletter, No. 135 - Aug 1, 2025
SGI Canada Newsletter
Issue no. 135
August 1, 2025
Welcome to the 135th 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 - “Igniting a Global Current of Respect for the Dignity of Life”
In his editorial in the August issue of Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai monthly study journal, Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada writes about President Ikeda’s deep commitment to world peace:
“Nothing is more precious than peace. Nothing brings more happiness.” These enduring words—President Daisaku Ikeda’s timeless appeal for eternal peace—constitute the opening lines of his novel The New Human Revolution. What a bold and beautiful cry, filled with fearless conviction and heartfelt passion, resonating from the depths of his being!
President Ikeda penned these words on August 6, 1993, the anniversary of the horrific atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The fact that he chose this day to begin writing The New Human Revolution carries profound meaning: It embodies his vow to fulfil the legacy of his mentor, Josei Toda, who yearned to eradicate misery from the face of the earth and made an historic commitment to the abolition of nuclear weapons. It also signifies the profound mission entrusted to the Soka Gakkai.
President Ikeda used to say that “The opening of a novel is crucial. I, too, wrestled with it—grappling with every word, struggling and suffering over how best to begin.” The themes of war and peace addressed at the outset of both The Human Revolution and The New Human Revolution resonated throughout his life’s work.
This year marks 80 years since the atomic bombings and the end of World War II. With our mentor’s impassioned cry for peace firmly etched in our hearts, we, as members of the Soka Gakkai, commit to eternally uphold pacifism and take tireless action for peace.
The Atomic Bomb Dome at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Japan. © Hoi Wai | Pexels
You’ll find the complete editorial in the September issue of New Century.
News
Soka Gakkai President issues Statement on Creating a World Without War to Mark 80 Years since end of World War II
On August 1, Minoru Harada, president of the Soka Gakkai Buddhist organization, issued a statement marking 80 years since the end of World War II, titled “Creating a Wave of Change Toward a Century Without War,” clarifying its ongoing commitment to peace.
Harada’s statement is grounded in the determination that no one on this planet should have to endure the horrors of war. Sharing his own wartime experiences of the terror of the firebombing of Tokyo, Harada expresses condolences for those killed in war and regret for the suffering caused by the Japanese military during World War II.
He writes:
“As a Japanese citizen, I once again firmly pledge to continue working to build peace not only in the Asia-Pacific region, where Japan’s past actions caused immense devastation and suffering, but also throughout the world, guided by deep reflection on this history.”
Harada stresses that concern for the suffering of innocent civilians underpins the Soka Gakkai’s commitment to peace. The same concern motivated the manifold efforts to build peace and renounce war initiated by his mentor SGI President Daisaku Ikeda (1928–2023)—from his visits to countries in Asia devastated by Japanese brutality to his efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons, and his contribution of annual peace proposals over a 40-year period.
Harada expresses grave concern about the ongoing conflicts and calamitous situations in Ukraine and Gaza and calls for persistent diplomatic efforts to achieve genuine ceasefires. He laments that the 80-year-old goal of the Charter of the United Nations—freeing the world from the scourge of war—has not yet been achieved and urges adherence to international humanitarian law. He also proposes galvanizing public opinion toward the prohibition and abolition of nuclear weapons.
Harada concludes by outlining three key commitments by the Soka Gakkai:
Firstly, ongoing youth exchanges, in line with the organization’s long track record of promoting grassroots exchanges with neighbouring countries in Asia, including China and South Korea. He writes: “We firmly believe that friendships forged by the youth of the next generation will serve as the most powerful foundation for a bulwark against war.”
Secondly, Harada confirms the commitment to continued engagement in interfaith dialogue of the Soka Gakkai and the SGI.
And thirdly, he urges the expansion of global solidarity and commits to ongoing support for UN-centered efforts to address issues such as human rights and climate change.
He states:
“Now, more than ever, the international community must transition from an era characterized by increasing mutual mistrust leading to military buildup to one in which nations work together to tackle common threats and challenges facing humanity. By steadily advancing such efforts, the path toward a century defined by the renunciation of war will inevitably come into clear view.”
The full English translation will be available on the Soka Gakkai website at the end of August.
SGI Representatives Participate in Earth Charter 25th Anniversary Event
From July 1 to 3, a three-day event was held in The Hague in the Netherlands to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the launch of the Earth Charter. SGI representatives presented on intergenerational dialogue and on how SGI’s philosophy resonates with the Earth Charter. The event showcased the “Seeds of Hope & Action” exhibition, a joint initiative of the Earth Charter International and the SGI. The new 360-degree virtual reality video released by the Soka Amazon Institute was also introduced.
Have you set up your online account yet?
SGI Canada members now have access to an online portal in which they can create their own personal SGI Canada accounts, subscribe to publications and make secure online donations.
Members can also use their online account to read the English and French-language publications to which they subscribe, and access their tax receipts and personal information.
How to set up your online account:
● Go to the SGI Canada website at www.sgicanada.org and click on the Online Portal button near the top right corner of your screen.
● Click on I have not created an online account and then Submit
● Fill out the personal information fields and click on Submit
● You will receive an email from accounting@sgicinfo.org . The email will confirm your username and password (which you can change once you log into the site the first time). For assistance with setting up your account, please contact support@sgicinfo.org.
● Once your username and password have been confirmed, you will be able to log into the online portal from the SGI Canada website at any time.
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.
Upcoming events
Men’s Division Day - August 24
August 24 is the anniversary of the day that Daisaku Ikeda became a member of Soka Gakkai in 1947. Men’s Group members commemorate this anniversary as Men’s Division Day.
SGI Canada Men’s Group members will be holding commemorative Men’s Division Day meetings throughout August and September. In his message for the meetings, SGI Canada Men’s Leader Ian Mattinson says:
The emphasis is to deeply connect with all of our members and friends, to celebrate our efforts since last year’s Men’s Division Day, and to create a new wave of fresh energy in this 65th anniversary of Ikeda Sensei’s first journey for worldwide kosen-rufu, which included his first trip to Canada in October.[1]
Please contact your local Men’s Group leaders to find out about the meetings in your location.
[1] NEW CENTURY August 2025, p. 5.
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 August 15, 2025. See you then!