SGI Canada Newsletter, No. 136 - Aug 15, 2025
SGI Canada Newsletter
Issue no. 136
August 15, 2025
Welcome to the 136th 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 Daisaku Ikeda’s encouragement for the Junior High and High School Divisions: “Walking the Path of Mentor and Disciple”
Our emotions can change in an instant, leaving many of us to feel like we are easily influenced by our surroundings. However, when we have a mentor in our hearts, we can become stronger and remain unswayed by anything. The July 2025 issue of the Mirai [Future] Journal includes President Ikeda’s own experience of walking the path of mentor and disciple:
Our feelings and emotions are constantly changing––one moment we may feel happy, the next sad; one moment enjoying ourselves, and the next filled with pain. This is especially true during the time of youth.
Nichiren Daishonin cites the words: “Become the master of your mind rather than let your mind master you” (WND-1, 502).
It might seem fun to just do as we please all the time, but if we live our lives ruled by fleeting emotions, we will eventually lose our way. That’s why it’s so important to have a mentor whose guidance and example we can keep in our hearts as a spiritual compass.
My mentor, Josei Toda, is always in my heart. To this day, I have an inner dialogue with him every day. I always ask myself what he’d do in my situation and what would make him proud. Because I have this inner foundation, I am never uncertain or afraid.
The path of mentor and disciple is the supreme path of human life. It is a path of justice and a path of hope. It is a path of happiness and victory.
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All the world leaders I have met had mentors whom they were indebted to. They were all great individuals who never forgot their gratitude to the mentors who contributed to their growth.
Genuine mentors seek to foster their disciples or students into capable individuals who go on to surpass them. Disciples who have a good mentor can awaken to and make full use of their innate strengths and abilities.
You’ll find more encouragement for members of the Young Phoenix Group in the “Passing the Baton to You, My Young Successors” feature in each issue of New Century.
News
August Friendship Meetings
August is traditionally a month for friendship meetings and informal get-togethers. We hope you have the opportunity to have many dialogues with friends and fellow district members!
The following photos were all taken on August 10, 2025.
Members of Fairview District, Toronto East Area
Members of Indigo District (Lanark County Group), Ottawa-Gatineau Area
Members of Lotus Blossom district, Vancouver Area 4
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 quotes Ikeda Sensei:
The key to realizing kosen-rufu actually lies within the realm of your daily lives. It all comes down to how much you can foster ties of friendship with your neighbours and become liked and trusted by them. Kosen-rufu really depends on the trust and respect we cultivate in our environment.[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 29, 2025. See you then!