sgi-e-bulletin-issue-no68 - SGI-UK E-Bulletin and Podcast

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New SGI Facebook
page and expanded
Daisaku Ikeda site
Unshakeable
resolve of
Keibi Groups!
Dedicated
Shop Group
launched
Celebrating
Kosen-Rufu Day in
Northern Ireland
Youthful New Era
in West Surrey
& West Sussex
We’re winning
together in
Richmond!
Trust through friendship. Peace through trust.
e-bulletin
SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue 68 21.3.2012
Dedicated
Lilacs of
the UK:
Taking Full
Responsibility
for One
Europe With
Sensei!
77 members of the Dedicated Lilac
group gathered at Taplow Court on
February 25 for our training day,
writes Johanna Damm.
Having travelled from all over the
UK, at 9am Ikeda New Century Hall
was already buzzing with activity, as the
young women with our hallmark red
scarf energetically prepared for a day of
study to refresh our spirit and deepen our
connection with President Ikeda. To the
tune of the Lilac song, The Springtime
of Life, the sun appeared and instilled
spring-like energy in everyone present.
Tricia Wiley, National Lilac chief, and
Filipa Martins, Vice National Lilac chief,
kick-started the event by encouraging
each Lilac to use the day to renew our
commitment to creating happiness and
value in our lives. They challenged us to
engage fully in the 2-year Lilac training
to nurture a youthful heart.
Justine Marchant, SGI-UK Women’s
Division leader, spoke of her Lilac days,
especially the day when she was touched
by Sensei’s humanity, warmth and
humour, and stressed the importance
of taking initiative, to be the one who
breaks through.
Watching the video of the 54th HQ
Leaders meeting brought the victories of
Byakuren and Sokahan members from
Japan to us. At their core was the spirit
of practising this Buddhism within the
SGI in order to create happiness for
others and realising one’s own dreams as
a direct result.
Lisa Cowan, national Young Women’s
Division leader, explained the spirit of
shakubuku as the action to create (in
another person) the heart that desires
other people’s happiness. She urged us
therefore to share the joy of our practice
confidently to bring delight to Sensei.
In the afternoon, the group dispersed
for team meetings held over picnics
Please send
your news and
pictures to our
email address:
roystone55news
@yahoo.co.uk
The deadline for items to be considered
for the next issue is Sunday, April 1
on the lawn and benches around the
grounds.
Coming back together, we shared
determinations for the coming months,
the room brimming with creative passion
and joyful optimism.
When the event drew to a close
with an energetic gongyo, there was no
doubt that each Lilac would return home
rooted in faith and conviction; through
continued efforts and with gratitude as
the starting point, we will achieve victory
after victory!
TO MY FRIENDS
Young people, you are our hope. You
are the driving force that will set the
direction of our future. Come, let’s set
out towards achieving the very peak
of success in fresh new challenges and
fulfil our vow to achieve kosen-rufu.
To glory, to victory!
– Daisaku Ikeda, March 16, 2012
Danielle Tatton

SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue 68 21.3.2012 Page 2
Launch of SGI Facebook page and
expanded Daisaku Ikeda website
On March 16, the SGI Office of
Public Information launched a new
Facebook page, SGI Information
(Official).
This page, which can be accessed
at www.facebook.com/sgi.info,
will function as a one-stop page for
links to latest updates from the SGI
website, the SGI Quarterly and Daisaku
Ikeda websites and the SGI YouTube
channel. Existing content, including
study materials, faith experiences and
video and audio resources will also be
regularly highlighted.
Members are invited to visit and
“like” this Facebook page, which will be
publicised on a banner on the top page of
the SGI site over the coming weeks.
On March 16, the Daisaku Ikeda
website (www.daisakuikeda.org) was
also expanded by the addition of three
new sections. The site now includes a
section exploring the SGI president’s
thinking on culture and his contributions
to cultural exchange, a renewed
Dialogue with Nature section showcasing
President Ikeda’s photography, and a
new audio-visual section.
Proponent of Culture (www.
daisakuikeda.org/main/culture/) expands
the main biographical portion of the
website – which has until now examined
President Ikeda’s contributions in the
fields of peace, education and
philosophy – and explores his
endeavours to promote culture and
cultural exchange.
A completely revamped and
enhanced Dialogue with Nature section
(www.daisakuikeda.org/nature/)
focuses on President Ikeda’s passion for
photography and presents a selection
of 100 of his photographs organised by
theme. His ‘This Beautiful Earth’ essay
series offers insight into his personal
philosophy of photography and the
inspiration behind some of his images.
Audio-visual (www.daisakuikeda.org/
sub/audio-visual/) makes available three
of Daisaku Ikeda’s animated children’s
stories, which have been broadcast on
television networks in 25 countries, as
well as 22 podcasts of his photo essay
series ‘This Beautiful Earth’.
Chris Sayers
Unshakeable resolve of Dedicated Keibi Groups!
124 representative members of
the Dedicated Keibi Groups who
look after Taplow Court, the South
London National Centre, the West
London Centre and the London Ikeda
Peace Centre gathered at Taplow
Court on March 10 for the 2012 Keibi
Inspiration and Kick-off meeting
with the theme ‘Unshakeable Faith,
Unshakeable Keibi’, writes Lola
Hatmil.
Robert Samuels, SGI-UK General
Director, confirmed that our Keibi
activities exist primarily as an
opportunity to practise Buddhism, to
commit to our practice and to do our
human revolution.
Quoting from Sensei’s poem to the
UK in 2002, he noted that the foremost
spirit for kosen-rufu is also the spirit
of Keibi, thus: “In the Buddhist sutra,
it reads, ‘You should rise and greet him
from afar, showing him the same respect
you would a Buddha.’ This is our most
important inheritance that the great sage
calls ‘The foremost and ultimate spirit’.”
There were experiences from Kassi
Wolf (Taplow Court), Ruth Phypers
(WLC) and Miyanda Nehwati (SLNC)
about the transformations they had
made and victories achieved through
their commitment to their activities as
members of the dedicated group.
Singer and musician Veronica Turner
also sang her own composition entitled
‘Kings & Queens’.
Justine Marchant, SGI-UK Women’s
Division leader, hoped that new Keibi
members joining in June would enjoy
many great opportunities to grow, from
supporting SGI-UK centres. She said
that by using Keibi activities to make
our own lives unshakeable, we are
responding to President Ikeda’s request
to make Europe unshakeable. “What we
do from moment to moment can give us
an enriching depth of life that challenges
our lives eternally.”
She stressed that, “It is our spirit
and attitude of deeply encouraging each
other at each moment to use our time
doing Keibi that changes our whole
lives”.
In conclusion, Tony Phillips, Men’s
Division Dedicated Keibi faith leader,
spoke of the spirit of commitment
towards Keibi as a behind-the-scenes
activity with our actions matching our
will (cf WND-1 p753). He encouraged
us to follow Sensei’s spirit to see things
through from beginning to end.
We all went home determined to
show this truly unshakeable resolve.

SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue 68 21.3.2012 Page 3
Mike Yeadon
Dedicated Shop Group launched
SGI-UK Dedicated Shop Group was
launched at a meeting at Taplow
Court on February 25, write Anna
Donovan and Annette Beja.
69 members who either already work
in, or want to work in the shops at our
four centres – Taplow Court, the West
London Centre, South London National
Centre and London Ikeda Peace Centre –
attended this lively meeting.
President Ikeda responded to our
report of this activity by sending us
his best regards and thanks for all
our hard work and asking us to enjoy
refreshments from him – of course we
couldn’t refuse his request!
Suzanne Pritchard, women’s leader
for Europe, launched our meeting by
encouraging us to have unshakeable
faith based on our vow to change the
karma of humanity.
She reminded us that if the
UK is unshakeable then Europe is
unshakeable.
Mike Yeadon, Sovereign Group
leader, outlined the importance of the
Shop group becoming a Dedicated Group
and stressed that it is the experiences we
have supporting the shops that enhances
our contribution to our disticts.
Anna Donovan, faith leader, shared
how refreshing our faith, practice and
study solidifies our unshakeable faith.
Annette Beja, SGI-UK shop
manager, talked about having a
European vision and striving to really
understand the oneness of mentor and
disciple.
Michael Waterman, Shop Sovereign
Group leader, encouraged us to set
forth with a bigger vision for our shop
activities – and to reveal deep joy
through this activity.
At the heart of the meeting were the
heartfelt and inspirational experiences
and determinations from our shop team
leaders and team members working
in the shops. We all left with a roused
determination and commitment to make
our shops the best in Europe!
If you are interested in becoming a
member of the Dedicated Shop Group
please contact Annette Beja:
annette.beja@sgi-uk.org
First ever SGI-UK General Leaders meeting
The great German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–
1832) declared: “If one is not to stagnate, one must be constantly
changing, regenerating oneself, growing young again.” A person
who continues to grow and develop is called a youth. (NL 8432)
The first ever SGI-UK General Leaders’ meeting was held on Sunday
March 18 at Taplow Court, writes Sanda McWilliam.
The combined length of practice of members of this group is over
800 years – centuries of practice and experience in faith!
The main topic of the meeting was how those of us with a long
practice can nurture and help create a really youthful and dynamic
SGI-UK, which is also able to embrace and encourage all ages.
Sensei has recently said this is really a significant time of
generational change throughout the SGI.
Many of the General Leaders were the pioneers in creating the first
wave of the kosen-rufu movement in the UK. Therefore, they are now
continuing their pioneering work, in ensuring that a new generation of
leaders in the UK are able to blossom and fulfil their full potential in life.
Sensei has clarified the role of General Leader, as follows: “[As] …
experienced practitioners with a long history of using their Buddhist
faith to victoriously surmount countless challenges [and] with lives that
shine brilliantly, they are role models in faith who continue to generate a
powerful momentum for kosen-rufu when they fully exert themselves in
fostering the younger generation.” (NL 8364)
The car park at Taplow Court
The main car park at Taplow Court has been in a state
of poor repair for some years, writes Mike Yeadon.
We have been patching and making small repairs
as needed, however we now feel the time has come
to completely resurface and landscape all of the main
parking area. This presents a great opportunity not
only to resurface but also to improve the appearance
of the car park. Our intention is to incorporate ten
planting areas into the new design which will be
planted with trees and shrubs as well ornamental
grasses, and there will be no loss of parking spaces.
This work, which will take approximately five
weeks, was begun on March 19. The main car park
will be closed for these five weeks, therefore the
only parking available at Taplow Court will be in the
north car park which is accessed through the north
gates, not the main gates. As parking space will be
severely limited during this time, if you are coming
to Taplow Court please think about sharing cars or
using public transport. I hope you will agree that this
small amount of disruption will be worth it when you
see our beautiful new car park fitting in as an integral
part of the Taplow Court grounds.

A Buddhist magazine
April 2012
Price £3
Issue no. 130
SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue 68 21.3.2012 Page 4
World News
Celebrating Kosen-rufu Day in Northern Ireland
On March 18, 11 Northern Ireland
HQ Youth Division members gathered
together, along with SGI-UK Youth
Division leader Manny Fernandez, to
celebrate March 16, Kosen-rufu Day,
under the theme “How will I bring
happiness to people in my life?”
writes Rachael McCarthy,
We discussed how we can really come
to grasp what it means for President
Ikeda to entrust the future of kosen-rufu
to the Youth Division and what we want
to do to fully take on that responsibility.
We heard experiences and district
determinations, all centred on this spirit
of the Youth Division standing up and
redetermining to continue on in our
respective missions, whether it be with
study, work projects, creating a positive
impact in our immediate environments
or changing society as a whole!
Manny gave a lecture on the
Kick-off meetings
• The West Surrey &
West Sussex New Era HQ
kick-off meeting had been
postponed once due to
heavy snow. But snowflakes
trying to settle at Greatham
on March 4 were defeated by
the powerful SGI spirit as 45
members and guests travelled from as far afield as Bognor by the sea to Walton-on-Thames
to kick off 2012, writes Nigel Harte. Taking our HQ theme as ‘The Year of Developing a
Youthful New Era’, we enjoyed a day filled with inspiration, laughter and daimoku. We
watched 2 wonderful SGI DVDs written and edited by our own Diane and David Southam.
The entertainments culminated in The Wizard of Oz, performed by the Mimosas and led
by Estelle Mercer, Young Women’s HQ leader. Tara Overington became the third Youth
Division member to receive Gohonzon this year in Farnham District – go Farnham! We are
filled with renewed determination to share this practice with as many people as possible.
• 35 members and
naitoku participated in the
Richmond Chapter kick-off
meeting on February 25,
writes Antonello Irace.
This year the theme for
our chapter is ‘Let’s Win
Together’ and the success
of the day stemmed from
our great unity.
Koichi Samuels
significance of March 16 and
encouragement around the theme of
the day, that by striving to treasure
each person in front of us and making
efforts to show proof of our practice
in our daily lives we can ensure that all
people can realise true happiness and
enlightenment.
After a rousing rendition of the SGI-
UK Youth Division song ‘No Coward
Soul is Mine’ – and some weird and
wonderful dance moves! – we ended the
meeting with a fantastic photograph and
a multitude of buns and cakes, before
taking full advantage of Manny’s time to
offer guidance individually to us.
An amazing day was had by all, and
we left with the determination to really
reaffirm in our lives the spirit of kosenrufu
– for us all to become truly happy
and to share this with other people
around us as much as possible!
Nigel Harte
Antonello Irace
Tohoku, Japan: The Soka Gakkai
announced plans to reconstruct its
Tohoku Culture Centre in Sendai,
after the Great East Japan Earthquake
seriously damaged the facility one year
ago. The centre served as a central
emergency refugee shelter for some
1,000 people in the stricken area at
that time. The new centre is slated for
completion in the spring of 2013.
Tokyo, Japan: Former President of
South Africa Nelson Mandela sent a
message, a short poem and a special pin
to President Ikeda in commemoration
of the African National Congress’
centennial anniversary. The former South
African president and the SGI leader
have continued to exchange messages
reaffirming their commitment to world
peace and raising capable individuals for
the sake of the future.
Tokyo, Japan: Bishkek Humanities
University from Kyrgyzstan presented
President Ikeda with an honorary
doctorate in recognition of his
worldwide promotion of peace and
humanism. Soka University President
Hideo Yamamoto accepted the academic
honour on behalf of President Ikeda at a
ceremony at the university on March 14.
April AoL: A youthful heart
A youthful heart
Mark Twain (1835-
1910) is reputed
to have said: “Age
is an issue of mind
over matter. If
you don’t mind, it
doesn’t matter” and
the Spanish artist
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) once said,
“Youth has no age.”
In this Year of Developing a Youthful
SGI, April Art of Living celebrates the joy
of having ‘A youthful heart’.
LGBT Inspiration Day
• ‘Treasuring the Differences’ will be
the theme of an SGI-UK Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender Inspiration
Day for LGBT members, friends, family
and supporters in the main butsuma at
Taplow Court on April 29 from 10am-
4pm. Please bring a packed lunch. For
further information email the Rainbow
Committee: rainbow@sgi-uk.org
Can you help 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 0118 9455412 for
more details or email annemarie28@
hotmail.com with your details.