SGI Canada Newsletter, No. 80 - June 2, 2023
SGI Canada Newsletter
Issue no. 80
June 2, 2023
Welcome to the 80th 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 editorial - “Spreading the Hope-Inspiring Breezes of Eternity, Happiness, True Self, and Purity ”
In his June editorial in the Daibyakurenge study magazine, SGI President Ikeda points out the way to overcome all suffering, and illness in particular:
We are all engaged in an intense and noble struggle to fulfill our mission of kosen-rufu. As time passes, daunting challenges present themselves in our lives, including illness—whether our own or that of loved ones—and having to care for infirm or elderly family members. Even Nichiren Daishonin reflected in the year before his death: “My body is worn out and my spirit suffers from the daily debates, monthly persecutions, and two exiles” (WND-2, 949).
My mentor, Josei Toda, warmly encouraged members who were battling illness, sharing passages from the Daishonin’s writings, such as: “Could not this illness . . . be the Buddha’s design, because [the sutras] teach that sick people will surely attain Buddhahood? Illness gives rise to the resolve to attain the way” (WND-1, 937). He reassured them that their struggle with illness was part of the mission they had undertaken for Buddhism and an opportunity for lessening their karmic retribution.[1] It was a sign, he said, that the moment had come for them to radically transform their karma through their Buddhist faith and practice.
The Mystic Law is the underlying and eternal Law of the universe. When we embrace faith in this Law, we can return each day to our original life from time without beginning, tap limitless revitalizing power, and solidify the great, indestructible life state of Buddhahood within us. All of the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death are challenges we must face to successfully climb the summit of attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime. There is no obstacle we cannot overcome.
[1] Lessening karmic retribution: This term, which literally means, “transforming the heavy and receiving it lightly,” appears in the Nirvana Sutra. “Heavy” indicates negative karma accumulated over countless lifetimes in the past. As a benefit of protecting the correct teaching of Buddhism, we can experience relatively light karmic retribution in this lifetime, thereby expiating heavy karma that ordinarily would adversely affect us not only in this lifetime, but over many lifetimes to come.
The complete message will be published in the July 2023 New Century.
News
Lifting of restrictions on district activities
SGI Canada’s national leaders and the National Planning Committee are pleased to announce that all restrictions on district activities will be removed as of Sunday, June 4, 2023. This means that each district will be free to meet in the way that is most suitable for its members: online, in-person or hybrid. We know that districts have used the last three months very effectively to find out what is best for them.
Some districts may choose to remain online, or to continue with hybrid meetings, and this is fine. There is no need to return to in-person meetings if it is not appropriate right now. We have confidence that each district will choose wisely for Itself.
SGI Canada centres continue to work toward reopening, according to their individual circumstances.
Thank you for your patience and for all your efforts to keep everyone safe. We can be proud of what we have accomplished in this challenging and inspiring period in SGI Canada’s history.
SGI Canada National Leaders and National Planning Committee
Upcoming events
SGI CANADA INTRODUCTORY EXAM 2023
The SGI Canada Introductory Study Exam will be held on Sunday, October 29. The exam is intended for new members or those who have not yet taken an SGI Canada exam; youth and Future Division members; and interested friends. You do not have to be an SGI Canada member in order to take the exam.
To register for the exam, simply complete the short form at:
https://www.sgicanada.org/activities/sgi-canada-introductory-exam-2023
The exam will focus on topics from “Basics of Nichiren Buddhism in the New Era for Worldwide Kosen-rufu”. The study material is available in a pdf document which will be emailed to you. You can also find the study material in English and Chinese at www.sokaglobal.org, or by clicking below:
A printed booklet of the study material will be available (in English, French and
Chinese) through the online bookstore at https://sgicanada.myshopify.com
More details on the exam will be available in the coming months in New Century, Ère nouvelle, Chinese New Century and in your district. If you have any questions, please talk to the person who encouraged you to sign up for the introductory exam, or to your local district leaders.
The purpose of Buddhist study is to experience joy, to apply this great philosophy in our daily lives, and to illuminate the lives of others toward creating a truly peaceful world. This is also the purpose of the SGI Canada Introductory Study Exam.
In this excerpt from his essay “Be Champions of Wisdom, Diligently Training in Practice and Study!”, President Ikeda talks of the power of study:
“To the age of 40: Perfecting my study and practice of Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings.”
As I approached my 30th birthday, this was the spirit in which I studied the Daishonin’s writings—while riding trains, while waiting to meet someone, during any spare moment I could find. Firmly embracing the “strategy of the Lotus Sutra” (WND-1, 1001), I took leadership of our movement, my heart united with my mentor. I was the age of our young men’s division members today.
Studying the Daishonin’s writings rouses the Daishonin’s indomitable fighting spirit in our hearts and causes our beings to resound with his great compassion to alleviate the sufferings of all people. When we read the Daishonin’s writings, boundless courage surges within us, along with immense passion and wisdom for finding a way forward, no matter what difficulties or obstacles we face.
Mr. Toda once declared with unshakable conviction: “I will be fine, even if I should fall into hell. Why? Because I would simply share the Mystic Law with the inhabitants there and transform it into the Land of Tranquil Light.”
Nichiren Buddhism is not abstract theory. It has real practical power to change people’s hearts and lives, and to transform society.
(NEW CENTURY, Dec. 2022, p. 26)
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 June 16, 2023. See you then!