SGI Canada Newsletter, No. 48 - March 18, 2022
SGI Canada Newsletter
Issue no. 48
March 18, 2022
Welcome to the 48th 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 Ikeda’s message to 8th Soka Gakkai Headquarters Meeting: “The Great Beneficial Medicine for Creating Peace”
In his message to the 8th Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting toward Centennial 2030, held in conjunction with the 2nd Youth Division Leaders Meeting, at the Soka Gakkai Kanagawa Ikeda Auditorium in Yokohama on March 6, 2022, SGI President Ikeda speaks of the importance of our efforts to create a peaceful world:
In his writings, the Daishonin tells us that in an age of conflict, when the people are assaulted by an endless barrage of calamities, “the wonderfully efficacious medicine of the Lotus Sutra [Nam-myoho-renge-kyo] will provide the cure for all these grave disasters” (WND-1, 879). The Mystic Law is the great beneficial medicine that can lead all people—equally and without discrimination—to happiness and peace.
My mentor Josei Toda’s vision of bringing humanity together as one global family was infused with his impassioned wish that no people in any country would be driven into the depths of misery.
People everywhere long to live in happiness and peace. I hope that the greater the challenges, the more you, our young global citizens of Soka, will unite your passion and power. Together, let’s keep reaching out to others in dialogue to create a better world. Let’s strengthen our united prayers to bring peace to our planet—the place we have gathered as Bodhisattvas of the Earth—and actualize the words of the Lotus Sutra “this, my land, remains safe and tranquil” (LSOC16, 272).
News
SGI President Ikeda’s 2022 Peace Proposal now available on SGI Canada website in English
SGI President Ikeda’s 40th annual peace proposal titled “Transforming Human History: The Light of Peace and Dignity,” is now available in English on the SGI Canada website.
The proposal offers concrete ideas for tackling the climate crisis and achieving inclusive education and nuclear disarmament. The French text will be posted online as soon as it is available.
The Wisdom for creating happiness and peace (part 1) now available online in French
The French version of the latest edition of The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace (Part 1) will be available on the Soka Gakkai (global) Website as of March 18, 2022 at this address:
While this website is currently available in English, Spanish and Chinese, it will start offering contents in French from the “Essential Study Materials” (ESM), such as The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, The Basics of Nichiren Buddhism for the New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu and the New Human Revolution .
These materials will be published gradually with the sincere goal to support the Buddhist study efforts of French-speaking members around the world.
Message from SGI Canada Youth Division: February Campaign a Great Success!
To mark the 70th anniversary of Ikeda Sensei’s famous February Kamata Chapter Campaign in 1952, the youth division of SGI Canada launched the Youth Division Friendship Campaign in February. Igniting the spirit of engaging others in Buddhist dialogue, the youth members are challenging themselves to form meaningful new relationships. Since the beginning of February, the youth division members have conducted more than 200 dialogues across Canada. Congratulations!
Now in March, as we celebrate March 16 Kosen-rufu Day, we are excited to announce that the youth division has launched the next phase of our Friendship Campaign toward June, when we will commemorate Sensei’s second visit to Canada in 1981 by holding area-level Young Phoenix Group Annual General Meetings across Canada! Our goal is to achieve 500 dialogues nationwide. The February Friendship Campaign was a great success. We have kick-started a new joyful momentum of introducing others to Buddhism. Riding these fresh waves of momentum, let’s make them surge even higher in March toward June!
Three Main Actions Each Day
The Friendship Campaign has three main elements:
- Chant Daimoku: Challenge ourselves to chant abundant daimoku each day.
- Initiate Dialogue: Take bold action based on our determination as disciples of Ikeda Sensei to encourage each friend as we engage in Buddhist dialogue each day.
- Create Unity: Strive in the spirit of “many in body, one in mind,” praising and supporting one another as we advance together, leaving no one behind!
The Spirit of March 16
March 16 is now viewed within the Soka Gakkai as a day of new departures, “of eternal beginnings and perpetual hope.” It is also an occasion for focusing on fostering capable youth.
At our March 16 commemorative district meetings, we heard President Ikeda’s message from the March editorial “We are all great philosophers embodying the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life”. In the editorial, Ikeda Sensei writes,
In these present times when it feels like we are in a dark tunnel with no end in sight, let us re-determine to fulfill our vow as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, brimming with a powerful resolve that moves the universe. Working with and for the people, let us make even greater efforts to engage in dialogue to encourage others with genuine care and warmth.
Thank you so much for all of your efforts so far and let us continue to work together in unity toward June, report our astounding victories to Ikeda Sensei and make him proud!
Soka Gakkai Donates to UNHCR in Support of Ukrainians Forced to Flee
On March 10, the Soka Gakkai donated 30 million yen (Cdn$ 322,080) to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), contributing to humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians forced to flee their homes. UNHCR Japan Representative Karen Farkas visited the Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Tokyo to meet with Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada, and expressed her gratitude for the donation, stating that there is a pressing need for many forms of assistance, including blankets, food and psychological support.
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 April 1, 2022. See you then!