SGI Canada Newsletter, No. 99 - February 23, 2024
SGI Canada Newsletter
Issue no. 99
February 23, 2024
Welcome to the 99th 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: “Shine as Youthful Successors and Bodhisattvas of the Earth”
In his March 2024 editorial in Daibyakurenge, Soka Gakkai President Harada describes the role played by Ikeda Sensei, 70 years ago:
On March 1, 1954, the young Daisaku Ikeda wrote in his diary: “Spring has arrived at long last. The gentle breezes, the budding greenery, the mist—all seem to be drawing in our life force.”
At the time he wrote this, he was exerting himself to the full, acting on behalf of his mentor wherever he went. Even though he was plagued by a persistent low fever, as a youthful, 26-year-old Buddhist revolutionary, he looked to the future optimistically with a poetic spirit, ever engaged in a dialogue with the natural world. He was a true champion of the human spirit, a majestic flower that blossomed with the unwavering determination embodied in the Lotus Sutra: “We care nothing for our bodies or lives / but are anxious only for the unsurpassed way” (LSOC13, 233).
It was also around this time that second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda said to him: “Daisaku, you must remember this. Everything will rest on the third president. The third president is crucial!” Shortly after, Mr. Toda appointed him to the position of youth division chief of staff, saying: “I entrust everything to you.” This month marks the 70th anniversary of that appointment.
President Ikeda, deeply understanding his mentor’s feelings, stood up with the determination to become the driving force for the development of the whole Soka Gakkai, beyond the scope of his role as youth division leader. Such a sense of responsibility is the original spirit that all youthful successors, Bodhisattvas of the Earth, should engrave in the depths of their hearts.
The complete editorial will be available in the May 2024 New Century.
News
Commemoration of Ikeda Sensei’s achievements at European Parliament
On February 20, Vice President of the European Parliament Pina Picierno hosted an event at the European Parliament to honour President Ikeda’s life and contributions in the areas of peace, culture and education. Watch the recorded event here.
(Soka Gakkai International Office of Public Information)
Annual band concerts will be live-streamed
The upcoming annual concerts of the Soka Renaissance Vanguard Drum and Brass Corps and the Soka Gloria Wind Orchestra will both be live-streamed this year from Japan.
Both bands have won many awards over the last few years and are often featured in Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meetings.
The 27th Victory Concert by the Soka Renaissance Vanguard Drum and Brass Corps will be held on:
Sunday, February 25 from 2:30 PM to 5.00pm (Japan time)
https://www.sokagakkai.jp/w2/srv2024/
The 37th Annual Concert by the Soka Gloria Wind Orchestra will be held on:
Sunday, March 3 from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Japan time)
https://www.sokagakkai.jp/w2/gloria2024/
Please note that there will be no interpretation or subtitles in English or French.
Hall of Great Vow for Kosen-rufu now open to SGI members
Active SGI members are now able to participate in gongyo sessions at the Hall of the Great Vow on certain days (following a schedule which will change from month to month). SGI Canada participants should be regularly attending SGI Canada activities and subscribing to SGI Canada publications. Members can visit the Hall once during a single visit to Japan. Please note that only SGI members are able to attend gongyo sessions at the Hall. We currently have the schedule for the months of March, April and May.
If you are interested in attending a gongyo session at the Hall during your trip to Japan, you will need to contact an authorized SGI Canada leader, who will be able to answer your questions and sign your Special Letter of Introduction.
The leaders who are authorized to sign Special Letters of Introduction are:
Victoria – Eijo Toyonaga
Vancouver – Frank Asin, Roy Ono
Calgary – Ian Mattinson
Edmonton – Paula Reich
Winnipeg – Maxine Stewart
Toronto – Tony Meers, Eddie Law, Helen Izumi-Choi
Montreal – Jeff Deeprose, Danielle Arsenault
Ottawa – Dwight Rudisuela, Glenn Turner
Québec – Jasmin Fortin
Halifax – Michael Agbeti
Please contact one of the above leaders from your region or area at least three weeks before your departure date.
Upcoming events
Looking forward to March 16, Kosen-rufu Day!
To commemorate Kosen-rufu Day – March 16 – Youth Division General Meetings will be held in areas across the country between March 1 and March 17. The theme of the meetings will be “Spread the Great Light of Hope and Peace!”
The youth members are studying Ikeda Sensei’s guidance about the significance of his appointment as Youth Division Chief of Staff in March 1954. He writes:
…[2024] will mark the 70th anniversary of that youthful appointment. I now call on all of you, my beloved young disciples throughout Japan and the world: My young friends, become the youth chiefs of staff of the new era! I hope you will forge a magnificent, ever-growing network of like-minded people shining with the light of human revolution. With the passion and power of youth, please safeguard humanity’s right to life and brightly illuminate people’s lives and society! (Nov. 2023, New Century)
Please contact your local leaders to find out about the Youth Division General Meeting in your area.
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 March 8, 2024. See you then!