"Nothing can equal the splendor of youth. To be young is to possess a treasure of infinite worth far greater than any person of power. Youth, and indeed life itself, flashes by in the blink of an eye. That is why it is important for you to ask yourselves what you can do for those who are suffering, what you can do to resolve the mournful contradictions that plague society, and to boldly take on these great challenges without shunning the subsequent problems and difficulties you will inevitably face."
— SGI PRESIDENT DAISAKU IKEDA
The Most Meaningful Revolution is Human Revolution
Why do young people lose hope? Why do young people turn to drugs and violence and even suicide? On one hand, there is a staggering amount of abuse and pain in our society. On the other, so much material wealth is flowing in America, sometimes people forget the very meaning of life. In a society where many young people try to build their happiness at the expense of others, it's hard to find role models that affirm basics such as honesty, goodness, confidence and compassion. How can we develop true self-esteem? Young people — there is an answer for you.
In the lay-Buddhist movement of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) we believe the life of each and every young person has worth. Further, we believe that every single human being has a mission to fulfill in this world. And we uphold an unchanging belief in absolute equality among all people; there is no "special category" human being.
SGI is an organization of ordinary citizens who practice Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism — a philosophy that enables each and every one of us to become happy, and to meaningfully contribute to peace in society. Human Revolution is the great inner transformation we experience when we practice Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.
According to Buddhism, absolute happiness, or "enlightenment" is at the core of each human being's existence.
Practicing Buddhism
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and taking compassionate action for others — enables us to develop this enlightenment we innately possess. When we commit ourselves to this task, our lives change. This is what we mean by "Human Revolution." The result is personal fulfillment, which makes an immediate impact at school, work, the community and with our friends and family. When a seriously ill person recovers from their illness, when a mean person becomes kind, when a person struggles to read a book in order to encourage others, this is "Human Revolution." The SGI is an organization dedicated to the spread of peace, culture and education, based on the philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.
Creating an alliance of compassionate individuals who are committed to Human Revolution and working for the happiness of all people — transcending cultural and racial differences — is the goal of SGI.
Youth members of SGI are standing up across the globe, leaving behind the 20th Century -- a century of war -- to usher in a new era of peace in the 21st Century. The SGI offers many activities, which are open to anyone, throughout the year:
LOCAL COMMUNITY BUDDHIST GATHERINGS
District Meetings: Small groups of people gather to discuss
how Buddhist principles apply to their lives.
World Peace Meetings: Once a month each area meets to chant and pray for
World Peace.
SOKA UNIVERSITY
What can one person do?
In the SGI's effort to spread peace throughout the world, it is SGI President Daisaku Ikeda who has taken the greatest initiative. As a teenager, Daisaku Ikeda was deeply affected by the horror and destruction of World War II. As a result, he wanted to contribute to a world of Peace. In search of a philosophy through which he could realize this aspiration, Ikeda joined SGI, a relatively unknown lay-Buddhist society of roughly 5,000 members in 1947. It was SGI's 2nd President Josei Toda who taught young Ikeda that Buddhism is a philosophy intended for all the world's peoples. In 1960, Ikeda became SGI's 3rd President at the age of 32. Under his leadership, a genuine effort to bring about a correct understanding of Buddhism has resulted in the expansion of SGI's membership to nearly 14 million citizens in 163 countries and territories.
President Ikeda has founded the Soka School System, written more than 300 books, received over 70 honorary doctorates, and created a network of friendship as a citizen diplomat with such people as Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union; Zhou Enlai, former Premier of China; Nelson Mandela, champion of South Africa; Rosa Parks, heroine of the American Civil Rights Movement; and Linus Pauling, a great American scientist. It is in the United States — the country which has a great cultural and racial diversity — that President Ikeda has placed his hopes, and has founded Soka University of America. Today, President Ikeda continues his tireless efforts to create a world where each and every young person can realize his or her own great potential.
For more information, please contact a South Bay Community Center near you.