Marking SGI-UK Day - SGI-UK E-Bulletin and Podcast

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It Starts With
Me, It Starts
Today!
Young Eagles
Summer
Course
Wales and
Borders
youth shine
One Europe
With
Sensei
Hiroshima
Peace
Day
Don’t miss
Guitars
Galore!
Trust through friendship. Peace through trust.
Simon Addinsell
e-bulletin
SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue No30 18.8.2010
2030 Hope and Dreams launched
34 young men and 40 young women
held a historic Future Group meeting
at Taplow Court on August 7.
The joint meeting took place at the
end of the FG young men’s course from
August 5-7 and at the beginning of the FG
young women’s course from August 7-9.
On this day we launched the 2030
Hope and Dreams Group, which
President Ikeda has named. All the
Future Group present determined to be
part of this group and strive to achieve
our dreams and determinations by 2030.
We agreed to invite all Future Group
Summer Course participants every
year till 2014, to join this group. We will
Please send your news and
pictures to our email address:
roystone55news@yahoo.co.uk
The deadline for the next issue
is Sunday, August 29
then have our first reunion meeting to
reconfirm our vows and determinations in
2015 and do so every five years until 2030,
the 100th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai.
After an inspiring morning, we had
group activities in which everybody
joined to strengthen our unity and
friendship. The activities were: Chinese
whispers, chocolate races, a parachute
game and a tug of peace! We also
enjoyed ice creams that President Ikeda
kindly provided for us. The day was a
great success with everyone brimming
with hope for the future!
Watch this space, the Future Group
are coming!
TO MY FRIENDS
The Kosen-rufu movement is a
hope-filled long journey to guide all
humankind to happiness. We entrust
you, all of our young people, to
build a peaceful century with your
youthful enthusiasm and energy!
– Daisaku Ikeda, August 15 2010
Download the
e-bulletin at
www.sgi-uk.info
Marking
SGI-UK Day
SGI-UK General Director Robert
Samuels writes:
On October 13 1961 President Ikeda
landed at Heathrow airport on his first
visit to the UK. He was welcomed by
just one member on that day, Mrs Shizue
Graham, who today is a member in
Hillingdon HQ. We date the Kosen-rufu
movement in the UK from that date.
Sensei proposed that October 13 be
named SGI-UK Day.
This year we are inviting members to
mark October 13 with daimoku – each
district, chapter and HQ can discuss
whether to organise this in some way,
or to leave it to each individual. We can
use this day as an opportunity to chant
toward our personal goals for November
18 and our desire to celebrate the 80th
anniversary of the founding of the
Soka Gakkai in November with great
discussion meetings overflowing with
joy.
It is also an opportunity to begin
to explore our determinations toward
October next year, which will be the 50th
anniversary of Kosen-rufu in the UK and
throughout Europe.
Based on daimoku – on October
13 and every other day – let’s take
inspiration from Sensei in his editorial
in the August Art of Living where he
encourages us to “break through every
wall or obstacle by engaging in dialogue
and taking action with a youthful, vibrant
spirit, and usher in a victorious new age
of Soka”.

Lindsey Hinchliffe
SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue No30 18.8.2010 Page 2
It Starts With Me, It Starts Today!
Janine Pethig
Joe Dempsey
The theme of It Starts With Me, It Starts Today! set the tone for the Future
Group young women’s course at Taplow Court from August 7-9, writes Sanya
Rajpal. Upon meeting the young men and receiving the exciting news of the
2030 Hope and Dreams Group (see page 1), we listened to an inspiring talk
from Robert Samuels. Later, wonderful group discussion meetings and a
powerful gongyo completed a tiring but very informative first day. On Sunday,
SGI-UK Young Women’s Division leader Lisa Cowan kicked off a discussion
on the Ikeda Kayo Kai and what it means for us as future leaders of the
21st century. After visiting the mentor and disciple room and exploring the
beautiful grounds, we had a delicious BBQ and an energetic cultural festival,
highlighted by our singing of We Are The Champions. The course ended on
Monday with a powerful study point on mission, cleaning (polishing our lives)
and our letters to 2015. All in all, an exceptional weekend. Thank you to the
Lilacs and the Young Women’s Division members who supported us.
Biggest ever Young Eagles Summer Course
Chance in a Million
The first ever South East London
Youth Division Summer Course was
hailed a success by the 129 young
men and young women who took
part, writes Kate Mead. We joined
together at the University of Kent in
Canterbury on July 10 and 11 for a
course entitled Creating My Chance
in A Million. Hubert Essakow said:
“It has been a real joy to have the
young women with us to share the
course. We are all amazing suns of
happiness!” Fiona Neeranjohn urged
us to keep going so nothing stops us
winning every day. Andrew Creevy
determined that we should feel
“...like the sun shines from each of
our lives”. And Randolph Matthews
hoped we would “shift something
important that really does show
the greatness of our lives”. We left
rejuvenated, inspired and determined
to strengthen our practice.
Kirsty Foster
47 boys aged 7-12, 17 Young Men’s Division and one Men’s Division helpers
from all over the UK gathered at Phasels Wood Activity Centre, Herts, from
July 30 to August 1 for a weekend of faith, lots of fun and friendship! writes
Gary Driver. We explored our theme Stars of Hope For the World, based on
recent guidance from Sensei: “Every single member of our Future Division,
without exception, is a star of hope for the world. The next 50 years is your
great stage to act upon, to play the most important role of changing our world
for the better, fulfilling your own very special and very unique missions.”
Sensei sent his warmest regards to everyone. The Young Eagles challenged
themselves on outdoor activities like archery, rock climbing, “The Cube” –
a giant assault course – and “Aero” – basketball on trampolines! Creative
expression came through workshops that included drama, music, art and
martial arts dancing, all of which came together at the traditional end-ofcourse
show for the Young Eagles’ parents. As a lasting memory, each Young
Eagle was presented with a beautifully engraved silver shining-star bookmark.
The next 50 years is bright with the light of these precious young Buddhas…
Youth shine!
The Wales and Borders Youth
Division Summer Course was
attended by 37 YD from July 17-18 in
Dare Valley Park, Aberdare, writes
Brian Croft. President Ikeda sent us
a message and gave us refreshments
of biscuits and tea. Peter Morris
brought his lecture to life with
his own experiences, making it
relevant to the everyday issues
that face us all. Peter later joined
Les and Kyoko Gibson on a Q and
A panel and their great knowledge
and openness helped clarify a
number of points. Saturday evening
was entertainments time and the
creativity, ingenuity and joy of the
Youth Division members shone out.

Annabel Payne
SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue No30 18.8.2010 Page 3
A message for Men’s Division Day
Robert Harrap, SGI-UK Men’s
Division leader, writes:
Around the world, August 24 is
celebrated as SGI Men’s Division Day.
This is the anniversary of the date in
1947 when the young Daisaku Ikeda,
ten days after attending his first meeting
and encountering Josei Toda for the first
time, joined the Soka Gakkai.
I hope that all members of the Men’s
Division in SGI-UK will use this day,
which falls about two thirds of the way
through the year, to consider how we
have done so far this year in achieving
our personal and collective goals,
and then re-determine to make more
extraordinary things happen in this 80th
anniversary year.
President Ikeda has recently
written an essay for the Men’s Division
(Newsletters 8003 and 8026). I would
like to share some extracts with you.
He asks: “What is the key requirement
for our ‘outstanding leaders’ of the
Men’s Division to spearhead the way to
victory in this year of the Soka Gakkai’s
80th anniversary? It is the indomitable
One Europe with Sensei
One Europe with Sensei was the
theme of the training course for the
Men’s and Women’s Divisions frontline
leaders from countries in Europe that
don’t have their own Trets courses,
supported by leaders from larger
countries, writes Lisa Baba.
Eight HQ leaders from the UK
attended, as well as three national
Women’s Division leaders. In total, 23
European countries were represented on
the course, held from July 29 to August 2
at the European Training Centre, Trets.
In his message to the European
Summer Courses, Sensei urged us:
“Now, my fellow members in Europe,
please advance courageously, respecting
each other, with cheerful and joyful
solidarity that is the most harmonious in
the world.” We were able to deepen our
strength to fight and take action in order
to achieve even the most challenging
goals. And what is the source of this
strength? It is found in employing the
unrivalled strategy of the Lotus Sutra, in
chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo which is
like the roar of a lion.”
He then urges us to be specific in
what we chant about and “to chant
with clearly defined goals, rather than
chanting aimlessly without direction, and
make a firm vow to achieve them without
fail”. Next, he says: “Let’s chant for every
single one of our fellow members to
enjoy happiness, good health, financial
fortune and personal security. Let’s chant
for Kosen-rufu in our communities to
advance and expand. Let’s chant for the
way to victory to unfold limitlessly for
our movement.”
Gentlemen, let’s take this guidance
to heart, putting daimoku first and
following it up with courageous and
dynamic action, remembering that this
practice enables us to achieve happiness
for ourselves and others.
Very best wishes, Robert Harrap
personal connection with SGI President
Ikeda through listening to profound
lectures and personal experiences
given by the senior European leaders
supporting the course. At each
refreshment break throughout the
course we enjoyed cakes or ice cream
from Sensei and were surprised to each
receive a copy of the newly published
Vol 3 of SGI President Ikeda in Europe –
vital study material.
During the “Mini Culture Festival”
on the final evening, we laughed, danced
and sang together in a celebration of
“One Europe”. The course culminated
with our voices joined in a multilingual
rendition of Ode to Joy, as the final verse
rang out:
Ever forward, undefeated
Victors in the midst of strife
Joyful hearts will lead us on
in this eternal song of life.
Hiroshima Peace Day
A Hiroshima Peace Day
Commemorative Meeting was held at
the South London National Centre
on August 8, writes Ali Bailey
Members met to commemorate the
65th anniversaries of the atomic bombing
of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, to
reflect on the profound desire of the
survivors that it will never happen again,
and to hear inspiration from a faith talk
by Alex Giles based on Sensei’s 2009
Proposal: “Building Global Solidarity
Toward Nuclear Abolition”.
After the commemorative gongyo,
Lola Bussi beautifully read an extract
from The Singing Voice of Victory Over
the Dome of Peace – a poem written by
Sensei to the members in Hiroshima.
Following an extract from the SGI
DVD Testimonies from Hiroshima and
Nagasaki – Women Speak Out for Peace,
Alex Giles gave us great hope, describing
how by engaging with this issue, based on
Buddhist principles, and by taking action
to spread awareness and inspiration
to others, we can definitely create
momentum towards the goal of nuclear
abolition and further to a lasting peace.
“Based on the proud determination to
make the struggle for nuclear abolition
the foundation for a world without war,
and convinced that participation in
this unprecedented undertaking is the
greatest gift we can offer the future, I call
on people everywhere to work together
toward the realisation of a world
finally free from the menace of nuclear
weapons” – Daisaku Ikeda, 2009
Rachel Cardy, accompanied by Ed
Walton on the violin, sang her own
composition Never Again which reached
deep into our hearts and consolidated
our determination to move forward with
Sensei.
The first SGI-UK national meeting to
mark Hiroshima Peace Day will be
held at 1.30pm on September 4 at Ikeda
New Century Hall, Taplow Court. The
meeting includes a lecture on President
Ikeda’s proposal by Jason Hart.
Booking is essential: please email
hpdaytaplow@gmail.com
stating your HQ
Ayse Hasan

A Buddhist magazine
September 2010
Price £3
Issue no. 111
Steve Alcorn
Louise Read
SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue No30 18.8.2010 Page 4
World News
Don’t miss Guitars Galore!
Some tickets are still available for the live
arts event, Guitars Galore, to be staged at
Taplow Court on Sunday August 29.
The programme for the second Guitars
Galore concert, following one earlier this year,
revolves around music for the guitar, but also
includes voice, violin, and saxophone. Tickets
cost £12 per person and the concert will begin
at 7pm. The grounds will be open for picnics. All
proceeds after costs will be donated to UNICEF.
Tickets can be obtained by ordering a
booking form from either our website:
sgi-uk.org, under ‘what’s on’ (www.sgi-uk.org/
index.php/events/Guitar_Galore) or by phone
on 01628 591234 or bought on the day.
Summer Courses
87 men from West London held our Summer Course at Taplow Court on July
24, writes Mike Atkinson. Mark Tosey introduced our theme of Humanistic
Action as the starting point for dealing with problems and renewing our
sense of purpose. And a powerful unrehearsed rendition of the song Wave of
Human Dignity underlined the unity that is being achieved in West London.
East Central Scotland Women’s
Division Summer Course was held
in Uphall, West Lothian, on July
10, writes Fiona Wood. Justine
Marchant’s opening story of her
journey to Scotland out of the blueskied
Kent sunshine into deep fog
reflected how it felt for all of us as
we arrived. The clouds would lour
and the rain would pelt all day!
No matter! We brought our native
sunshine into each other’s hearts and
Pat Rogers
The first Guitars Galore concert
minds, to give us the lasting warmth
and light of inspiration that comes
from sharing hard-won experiences
in faith, practice and study.
61 men from the new South West of England Area
opened our hearts in a wonderful weekend of joyful
unity at Bristol University, from July 23-25, writes
Tom Henderson Smith. Group meetings, one-to-one
dialogues, and opportunities to relax together gave
us the chance to share treasures of the heart. Our
voices did the Buddha’s work as we learned Howard
Jones’s new song, With Sensei. And at the end we
thanked our hosts with a rousing rendition of For
the Sake of Peace. We left strong, shining and ready
to be golden pillars of the South-West!
Women on the Northern Area Women’s
Division Summer Course in Bradford
felt an explosion of joy in our lives,
writes Chrissi Blatch. People were met
with warmth and openness of heart,
whether long-established friends or new
and unfamiliar faces, in an atmosphere
of great joy. And Yuki Davenne urged:
“Northern Area Women’s Division, let’s
make gratitude our keynote!”
Carmen Aleman
Trevor Philips
Hiroshima, Japan: The Soka Gakkai
held a World Peace Memorial Gongyo
meeting in Hiroshima on August 6 in
observance of the 65th anniversary
of the atomic bombing of the city.
A commemorative lecture was also
delivered by hibakusha (atomic bomb
survivors) at the Hiroshima Ikeda Peace
Memorial Centre on that day.
Nagasaki, Japan: The Soka Gakkai held
a meeting in Nagasaki on August 9 in
observance of the 65th anniversary of the
atomic bombing of the city.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: The
University of Malaya presented President
Ikeda with an Honorary Doctorate of
Humanities. SGI Vice President Hiromasa
Ikeda received the honour on behalf
of President Ikeda, at the university’s
commencement ceremony on August 2.
Faith for a
harmonious family
September
Art of Living:
Faith for a
Harmonious
Family
Families come in all shapes and
sizes! These close relationships,
whether they are those of bloodconnection
or not, have a deep
influence on our life-view.
President Ikeda has said: “When
[people] persevere with courage
and wisdom based on faith, they can
transform their family situation. When
families change, neighbourhoods and
communities will also change. When
communities change, societies will
change, and ultimately the whole world
will change, too. This is the principle of
human revolution” (SGI Newsletter No.
7935, 17 February 2010).
The AoL looks at families and how to
transform them!
Taplow Court Administration
Department Staff Required
Due to staff departure, SGI-UK requires
1 person to work full-time in the
Administration Department at Taplow Court.
For more information and an application
form please contact Sanda McWilliam on
01628 591208. Completed application forms
must be received by Friday October 8, 2010.
Can you help out in the canteen?
Can you help once a month or at a
moment’s notice to serve lunch in the
canteen at weekends at SGI-UK National
Centre, Taplow Court? If so please call
Annemarie Smith on 01189455412 for
more details or email annemarie28@
hotmail.com with all your details.