sgi-e-bulletin-issue-no38 - SGI-UK E-Bulletin and Podcast

2 3 4 4 4 4
Men urged:
make 2011 our
greatest year!
Youth set
for Dynamic
Development!
President
Ikeda’s son
visits UK
Interfaith art
exhibition in
South Wales
Mimosas
picture
life in 2030
Hackney pupils
learn about
Buddhism
Trust through friendship. Peace through trust.
e-bulletin
SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue No 38 15.12.2010
Roehampton set to host SGI
nuclear abolition exhibition
Countless streams converge to become a mighty river and
ultimately flow into the vast ocean. Similarly, while our
tireless efforts to bring together the voices of people seeking
the eradication of nuclear weapons may seem small and
insignificant, they are certain to grow into a powerful
groundswell for peace.
In his work I Cannot Be Silent, Russian author Leo Tolstoy
(1828–1910) quotes the American writer and political
economist Henry George (1839–97): “Until there be correct
thought there cannot be right action, and when there is
correct thought right action will follow.”
My young friends, your courageous and passionate efforts
based on the ideal of respect for the sanctity of life are
creating a great current of humanism that will positively
transform society. Please be proud and confident of this.
Extract from SGI President Ikeda’s essay ‘The Vow of Soka’
(SGI Newsletter 8055)
Following the great success of the activities at London
University SOAS in October, SGI-UK Youth Peace
Committee and South West London members are working
together with Roehampton University Student Human
Rights Society to install the SGI exhibition ‘From a
Culture of War to a Culture of Peace – Transforming the
Human Spirit’ at the university from January 24-29, 2011.
During that week we will also be holding a Youth Forum to
bring together many students and young people to discuss and
debate nuclear disarmament and abolition and other themes
elaborated in the exhibition and to have the opportunity to
hear from and engage with expert guest speakers.
We are all united in our desire to respond to our mentor’s
vision and create the maximum impact through these activities
to raise greater awareness about nuclear weapons and to
strengthen and widen the solidarity of ordinary people who
reject them, as part of the SGI initiated ‘people’s decade’ (for
further information please visit www.peoplesdecade.org).
As a great way to start our new Year of Capable People
and Dynamic Development we welcome anyone who would
turn to page 2
Happy New Year from the
SGI-UK divisional leaders!
Download the
e-bulletin at
www.sgi-uk.info
Please send your
news and pictures to
our email address:
roystone55news@
yahoo.co.uk
The deadline for the
next issue is Sunday,
January 2
Suzanne Pritchard, SGI-UK
Women’s Division leader, writes:
Dear wonderful Women’s Division
members – thank you for your great
efforts throughout 2010 and I hope
that you are in good spirits as we start
this second decade of the 21st century!
At the start of last year, President Ikeda encouraged us to
seize “a chance in a million”. As we moved through 2010, it
became clear that the true significance of this “chance” was the
opportunity to solidify our vow for Kosen-rufu together with
our mentor, for it is through doing this that we can truly open
up the path to Kosen-rufu and with it our own happiness.
To me, put simply, the vow of the Buddha has two aspects.
Firstly, our decision to take any challenge and turn it into a
victory that can inspire others and secondly the determination
to constantly engage with others so that they can awaken
to and deepen their knowledge of their own great potential.
When we look at President Ikeda’s efforts over more than fifty
turn to page 2
DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT
Our 80th anniversary is not the end. It’s only
the starting point for a new journey towards the
triumph of the people. My friends, my comrades
in the struggle for Kosen-rufu: let’s begin today,
continuing on our eternal journey of mentor and
disciple, the triumphant and glorious journey of
human revolution. Let’s set forth with a renewed
commitment to our vow for Kosen-rufu, aiming for
the shining summit of the centennial of our
ever-youthful Soka Gakkai!
Now is the time to stand up, now is the time to
set forth, and together resolutely achieve a life of
victory.
– Daisaku Ikeda, December 11, 2010
Simon Addinsell

SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue No 38 15.12.2010 Page 2
Roehampton nuclear abolition exhibition
from page 1
like to support the activities at Roehampton university as an
exhibition guide to attend our inspiration and training day at
Taplow Court, Josei Toda Hall on January 8 from 2-5pm.
To reserve your place, please email Hiro Hayashi on
hiromhayashi@aol.com
To keep up to date with the latest information – including
the soon-to-be-confirmed date and details of the youth forum
– please visit us on Facebook by entering ‘Transforming the
Human Spirit Exhibition - UK’ in the search box, or click on
this link: http://tinyurl.com/THSUK
Show your support with our great T-shirts!
New Year messages
from page 1
years we can see that he has constantly lived on this basis and
shown, just as the Daishonin taught, that this is indeed the
most valuable and joyful way for enlightened human beings to
live!
This year marks the 50th anniversary of President Ikeda’s
first visit to Europe to establish the Kosen-rufu movement here.
It also marks the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the
Women’s Division.
I am determined that during this year we can make this
unshakeable vow the core of our lives so that, together with
Sensei, each member of the Women’s Division of SGI-UK will
become, as Sensei says in his New Year message, like the “sun”
within their families and communities – a truly capable person
whose dynamic development supports and contributes to the
dynamic development of everyone around them, especially our
precious Youth Division members.
In this way, not only will we celebrate the 50th anniversary
of European Kosen-rufu, we can open up the next 50 years of
Kosen-rufu too!
With my deepest respect,
Suzanne
The Transforming the Human Spirit Exhibition production team
have produced wonderful T-shirts! THS T-shirts are a great
way to support the People’s Decade movement against nuclear
weapons. They are on sale in SGI-UK shops at £10 each.
Opportunity to join Dedicated Soka Group
Dear Young Men’s Division of SGI-UK,
We hope this message finds you well and staying as warm as
possible in this frosty weather. January 2 is the deadline for
new Soka to apply to join the SGI-UK Dedicated Soka Group in
2011. Please don’t miss this great opportunity! Here are some
inspiring excerpts from newsletter 6465 Youthful Leaders of
the Soka Group and Gajokai:
“My pride,
the best in the world,
the Soka Group.
To you I entrust
Soka around the world”
“Those who take it upon themselves to engage in the
inconspicuous task of supporting and assisting others behind
the scenes are able to appreciate and value the unsung heroes
of our membership who are giving their utmost. And this is
why such people are outraged by the sufferings caused by
villains and ingrates and fight earnestly against them.”
With very best wishes
Masashi Inoue on behalf of Soka Group national team
Inspiration day for HQ study leaders
An inspiration day for SGI-UK HQ study leaders was held
at Taplow Court on November 28, writes Yas Hirayama.
Despite cold weather, 75 people participated, including
the action team. President Ikeda sent a message to the
meeting and participants enjoyed his gift of tea and
biscuits. We held group meetings and contributed ideas
about the new direction for the study movement in 2011
and beyond. Participants left with joy – and a piece of
SGI-UK chocolate contributed by a member!
Robert Harrap, SGI-UK Men’s
Division leader, writes:
A very happy New Year to all readers of
the e-bulletin, and especially to the men
of SGI-UK!
How can men contribute to SGI-UK and our movement for
Kosen-rufu at this time? Nichiren Daishonin often includes in
his letters examples of the benefits that come from different
forms of contribution, whether in time, effort, prayer or
money. Every one of us can make a very valuable contribution
by making even greater efforts to participate in the monthly
discussion meeting, sharing our experience of life, encouraging
and supporting the other members of our districts, and by
bringing a guest. Sometimes just silently being there is a great
contribution too. Because SGI discussion meetings form a
great worldwide peace movement, let’s be confident that our
presence really does contribute to making the world more
peaceful, harmonious and respectful.
Next I hope that men will make every effort to support
and develop the local Men’s Division meetings. These are the
opportunity for men to share very important mutual support
and encouragement, anchored in inspiring guidance from
President Ikeda. Our meetings provide a forum for men to open
our hearts, share our experiences, deepen our faith and offer
hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Of course there are other ways to make a contribution.
Supporting activities such as guardian, keibi, transport and
dynamo – and challenging ourselves to make a financial
contribution – all support the Kosen-rufu movement in the UK.
I encourage all the men of SGI-UK to consider: “What
action can I take? What causes can I make? How can I
contribute to make this year the greatest, the most significant
yet?” As we each find our own answer to these questions and
strive to fulfil them, we will make a great cause not only for our
own happiness, but also for the happiness of others.
Simon Addinsell
With very best wishes,
Robert Harrap
turn to page 3

SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue No 38 15.12.2010 Page 3
Happy New Year from the SGI-UK Youth Division leaders!
Manny Fernandez, Youth
Division leader, writes:
Dear precious members of
SGI-UK Youth Division,
Congratulations for all your
wonderful efforts in faith in 2010
and very best wishes for this new
Year of Capable People and Dynamic
Development in which we celebrate
the 50th anniversary of Kosen-rufu with
Sensei in the UK and Europe!
In 2011 we will also commemorate
the 60th anniversary of the Youth Division
which was founded by President Toda
just two months after his inauguration. It
was his vision and determination that it
would be youth who would be the driving
force to realise the mission of spreading
this great movement for the happiness of
the people throughout society.
It was the young Daisaku Ikeda
who stood up alone to make this vow
of his mentor his own: “I applied myself
wholeheartedly, taking on all manner of
obstacles, to see just how strong a single
youth upholding faith in the Mystic Law
could become, how fully I could dedicate
myself to the happiness of the people,
and how much I could accomplish for
world peace.” With this vow in his heart
50 years ago, aged just 33, Sensei made
his first trip to Europe where there were
just 8 members practising. Everywhere
he went he gave his all to encourage each
person with his whole life and to pray
for Bodhisattvas of the Earth to emerge
just as the Lotus Sutra had predicted.
Now our movement is 100,000 strong and
growing all the time.
We are so fortunate to be able to forge
and train ourselves with such a great
mentor to become capable people who
can not only stand strong, unswayed by
the many challenges and sufferings of life
but also dedicate ourselves to supporting
others to become happy. Now is the time
for us to challenge anew to take the lead
in our great district discussion meeting
movement, striving to bring out the best
in ourselves and others and to each
experience afresh the joy of shakubuku.
As Sensei says, “Let’s exert ourselves
even more earnestly in our endeavours for
Kosen-rufu from now, from this moment –
our sights set on the Soka Gakkai’s 100th
anniversary in 2030. United in the shared
commitment of mentor and disciple, let’s
open a new page of dynamic development
in our movement by rousing the limitless
power of faith and practice and tapping the
infinite power of the Buddha and the Law.”
With my deepest gratitude and respect,
Manny Fernandez
Lisa Cowan, Young Women’s
Division leader, writes:
To the young women of SGI-UK,
Thank you for your incredible and
sincere efforts this year. Everywhere I go
I hear great praise for the YWD.
In 2010, we had the opportunity to
engrave the vow to advance Kosen-rufu
alongside our mentor deeply in hearts. Many
of us have faced our greatest challenges, but
we have persevered with the determination
to “live our youth undefeated by anything”.
In 2011, let’s strive to deepen and
renew this profound vow each day and
achieve great things to our hearts’ content.
Advancing with pride in our mission, so that
we can say with a smile: “I have supported
this many people to become happy”, “I have
transformed this suffering into joy”.
Sensei has entrusted the next 50
years of Kosen-rufu to the youth. This is
a tremendous responsibility and a great
honour – but how does this relate to our
daily lives? In the words of Mr Toda: “Please
attain a state of life of true happiness based
on the heritage of faith, and please enable
others to do the same.” NL6983
Each and every day there is the
opportunity to engage with life with
the heart of a Buddha.
The heart that seeks the
happiness of both self and
other. Sometimes, even
remembering that this is a
possibility will be a tremendous victory.
In October 2006, Sensei declared that
the crucial five-year period for completing
the process of building the foundation for
Kosen-rufu of the present age had begun.
He said that completion of this process
requires the following elements to “flow
vibrantly as the lifeblood transmitting
the philosophy and practice of the
Daishonin’s Buddhism”:
• Earnestly following the great path of
mentor and disciple
• Upholding the principles of humanism
and pacifism that are the essence of the
Daishonin’s Buddhism
• Spreading the essential message of
Buddhism across the globe through the
active pursuit of dialogue (NL6983)
My determination is for us to use 2011
to experiment with the 4th YWD eternal
guideline: “engage in dialogue to foster
friendship and humanistic ideals” with the
determination to ensure that 2011 really is
the time where the foundation for Kosenrufu
of the present age is completed.
Let’s see just how magnificent our
lives can be!
Lisa Cowan
Matthew Kii, Young Men’s
Division leader, writes:
To the young men of SGI-UK,
Happy New Year!
2011, The Year of Capable People and
Dynamic Development has arrived, a
significant year commemorating
the 50th anniversary of President Ikeda’s
first visit to the UK on October 13 1961
and 60th anniversary of the founding of
the Young Men’s Division on July 11.
We, the National Young Men’s team,
would like to express our heartfelt
gratitude and appreciation to all of you
for your selfless dedication in supporting
others unbegrudgingly, on behalf of
President Ikeda.
Together we share the great mission
as Bodhisattvas of the Earth to protect
and secure the peace of the land by
doing our individual human revolution.
Let’s each have the confidence that the
great causes we are making, without
doubt positively affect the entire
world.
We want to focus on three
fundamental activities in 2011:
• To actively support our local district
meetings, solidifying the foundation of
the Kosen-rufu movement in the UK
• To meet as many members as possible,
strengthening the friendship among the
YMD
• To study and master the Gosho The
Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life
based on Sensei’s lecture series
Let’s use 2011 as our springboard to
achieving all our victories toward the
100th Anniversary of the Soka Gakkai in
2030, by renewing our determinations
and continually challenging our human
revolution. All our victories serve as
actual proof to encourage ourselves, and
others.
As Sensei says, “The presence of
disciples determined to realise the
mentor’s vision is crucial to the Soka
Gakkai’s eternal victory. Every age needs
genuine disciples who will stand up and
demonstrate proof of our movement’s
ongoing success. Even just one person is
enough.” (NL8115)
In this crucial year shall we ask
ourselves, “How would a genuine
disciple respond to
his mentor?”
Like the Lion
King, let’s advance
courageously
alongside Sensei.
Matthew Kii

A Buddhist magazine
January 2011
Price £3
Issue no. 115
SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue No 38 15.12.2010 Page 4
News round-up
World News
SGI Vice President Hiromasa Ikeda
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: The municipal
visited the UK on his way back to
government presented President
Japan after a trip to Brazil, where he
Ikeda with the Key to the City and a
celebrated the 50th anniversary of
Proclamation in recognition of his efforts
the Brazilian Kosen-rufu movement.
to advance peace in Brazil as well as
President Ikeda’s son arrived here
globally. Mayor Eduardo Paes presented
on December 5 and left for Japan the
the Key and Proclamation to SGI Vice
following day. On the morning of December 6 he visited the London
President Hiromasa Ikeda at the SGI-
Ikeda Peace Centre, where he is pictured with Mr and Mrs Takahashi and
Brazil Culture Centre on November 30.
members who supported his visit. He then visited Taplow Court, saw the
São Paulo, Brazil: São Paulo
mentor and disciple room and led gongyo in the Ikeda New Century Hall
Metropolitan University named President
before departing for Heathrow.
Ikeda honorary professor in recognition
Newport district in South Wales hosted
of his efforts to promote peace through
an interfaith art exhibition to celebrate
education and culture. The honour
the 80th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai’s
was presented to Hiromasa Ikeda on
founding, write Mark and Masae Medcalf.
December 2.
More than 40 artworks were displayed
Rio de Janeiro: The Federal Institute
at Brynglas House. Bahais, Muslims and
of Education, Science and Technology
Christians participated alongside SGI
of Amazonas presented President
members. Future Group member Damien,
Ikeda and Mrs Kaneko Ikeda with
15, produced digital artwork entitled Because Differences Make Us Better. honorary doctorates in recognition of
The Bahais organised an art workshop with Muslim friends and produced their worldwide contribution to peace,
heartfelt works entitled Hearts United.
culture and education. The conferral
ceremony took place on November 28 at
North Kensington HQ held a
the Institute’s Central Campus. Hiromasa
friendship day entitled Making a
Ikeda accepted the honours on his
Difference in our Community to
parents’ behalf.
commemorate the 80th anniversary
Tokyo, Japan: Soka University unveiled
of the Soka Gakkai’s founding, writes
plans for the new General Education Hall
Chris White. More than 260 people
to be completed in 2013. The Hall’s West
enjoyed an afternoon of culture,
Wing will stand 12 stories high, while its
friendship and dialogue at The Tabernacle, Ladbroke Grove. Guests were East Wing will be nine stories high and
able to find out how Nichiren Buddhists can make a difference in the local its Central Tower, seven stories. Soka
community using this wonderful practice. We had experiences, song, poetry, University also opened an exhibition on
art and a drumming workshop. Guests took away literature about Nichiren its founder, President Ikeda, and the 300
Buddhism and the SGI. The table was empty by the end!
academic honours he has received from
institutions around the world.
Greenwich Chapter hosted a film festival to
celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Soka
Gakkai’s founding, writes Carole Bowles. Five
SGI and independently made films were shown
at members’ homes. The screenings inspired
joyful discussions between members and guests
linking the themes raised by the films to the
reality of our daily lives. Discussion meeting attendance doubled across the
chapter in November.
South East London Mimosas met on November
28 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Soka
Gakkai with a meeting themed Our Precious
Lives, writes Fiona Neeranjohn. Nine Mimosas
designed pictures of what they want the world
to look like in 2030. The photo of the girls
with their pictures will be sent to Sensei. The
pictures were put into envelopes and given to the parents with instructions
not to be opened until 20 years time...
Year 5 pupils of Grasmere Primary School,
Hackney, visited London Ikeda Peace Centre,
supported by members from Newington Chapter,
writes Bianca Gomes Guimaraes. Pupils learned
about Shakyamuni, Nichiren and Nam-myohorenge-ryo;
were entertained with an animation
of the story The Princess of the Desert Kingdom
by Daisaku Ikeda; and enjoyed hot chocolate and biscuits. Head of RE
Sheena Merchant said she would like to bring classes to LIPC again.
Masae Medcalf
Alan Davies
Carole Bowles
Bianca Gomes Guimaraes Sora Chung
January
Art of Living:
Capable People
Dynamic
Development
2011:
Capable people
Dynamic development
January’s AoL is filled with study,
guidance and encouragement to
launch your SGI Year of Capable
People and Dynamic Development!
The issue includes messages from
SGI President Ikeda, Chairman of
Europe Mr Takahashi and SGI-UK
General Director Robert Samuels, plus
more great experiences of 2010’s ‘My
80th Anniversary Campaign’ – ideal
inspiration to start 2011 with a bang.
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.