2 2 4 5 5 3 Joy – Mission – Victory! - SGI-UK E-Bulletin and Podcast

2 2 3 4 5 5
Stronger
through
support!
Unshakeable faith,
unshakeable
keibi!
10,000 across
Europe take
study exams
Northern pioneers
manifest joy
in our lives!
Inspiring day
for Lilacs
in Glasgow
Men’s Division
study campaign
launched
Trust through friendship. Peace through trust.
e-bulletin
SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue 84 21.11.2012
Please send
your news and
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email address:
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The deadline for items to be considered
for the next issue is Sunday, December 2
Simon Addinsell
143 women gathered at Taplow Court
on November 18 for a meeting with the
theme ‘Joy – Mission – Victory’, writes
Jane Steele.
The emphasis was on women who had
graduated from the Young Women’s Division
since October 2008 and those who were
about to move.
Prior to the meeting we joined the
special gongyo being held to mark Soka
Gakkai Founding Day. SGI-UK General
Director Robert Samuels gave a talk and
Silverley Allen sang a soulful tune she had
composed herself entitled, ‘Eagle Peak’.
The women’s meeting then got under
way. Fiona Harrow, MC, encouraged us to
have a day filled with friendship and hope
and for us to build indestructible confidence
in our faith and every area of our lives.
Lorna Marshall belted out Chaka Khan’s
‘I’m Every Woman’. There may have been
some people who were not up and dancing
at this point, but they were hard to spot!
SGI-UK Women’s Division leader
Justine Marchant talked about Sensei’s Five
Guidelines for the Women’s Division:
• Everything starts with prayer;
• Advancing harmoniously with our
families;
Joy – Mission – Victory!
• Fostering young successors;
• Cherishing our communities and societies;
• Joyfully sharing our experiences in faith.
Justine stated that each of us is a
beacon of light, hope and joy in our
communities and that if each district shines
with that spirit, society can absolutely
transform. Put this way kosen-rufu sounded
eminently do-able, rather than a distant
dream.
With regard to our juniors, Justine
added that our role is warmly to encourage
and praise them. We are all standing on each
other’s shoulders: those shoulders need to
be strong and not made weak by constant
criticism. She also encouraged us not to
compare ourselves to others but to be the
“best Buddha self” we each can be.
We watched a DVD called ‘Sun of Hope’,
where President and Mrs Ikeda met female
peace-builders from around the world, such
as Rosa Parks, and Betty Williams from
Northern Ireland. We also frankly shared
our views in our group meetings.
The experiences were many and varied.
They were about: transforming a struggling
district and changing financial karma;
overcoming serious injury; transforming
difficulties with a co-leader; winning in a
challenging mother and son relationship;
having a baby and adjusting/reinvigorating
in faith; and going from downtrodden
secretary to prize-winning novelist via the
three practices.
There were beautiful gifts made by
members from Wales and the Borders Area,
and cakes made by local Women’s Division
leaders. We received a message and fine
chocolates from Sensei.
At the end of the day, Aisha Oakley
commented: “Now I know what it means to
be a mother of kosen-rufu.”
WORDS OF THE WEEK
All of the challenges that we take on
for the sake of kosen-rufu are perfect
opportunities for us to change our
karma. With the momentum created
by chanting vibrant daimoku, let’s
take action! Let’s create a new
chapter in our own personal history!
– Daisaku Ikeda, November 19-25, 2012

SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue 84 21.11.2012 Page 2
Trevor Phillips
Men’s Division: Stronger Through Support!
The first national men’s leaders course for a number of
years was held at Wokefield Park in Berkshire over the
weekend of November 17-18, writes Stephen Brown.
The course theme was: ‘Stronger Through Support’. This
quotation from the Gosho expresses what was at the heart of
this course: “Even a feeble person will not stumble if those
supporting him are strong, but a person of considerable
strength, when alone, may fall down on an uneven path” (from
‘Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain’ WND-1, p598).
We explored how we can strengthen the Men’s Division of
SGI-UK through one-to-one support, home visits and cherishing
the person in front of us. We also discussed our role as men in
nurturing the Youth Division.
120 men supported and encouraged each other in group
meetings and responsibility seminars.
A common theme throughout the weekend was, “How can
we as leaders, but most of all, as members of a district, best
support those men who are on the ‘front line’ as district leaders
in order to really be able to welcome more and more people to
this wonderful practice”
Support and growth also were on the weekend agenda.
SGI-UK Vice General Director Kazuo Fujii’s lecture was about
introducing others, nurturing successors and supporting the
youth.
SGI-UK General Director Robert Samuels explained about
the Actual Proof Campaign which was launched at the HQ
Leaders Assembly in October. SGI-UK Men’s Division leader
Robert Harrap launched the second Men’s Division study
campaign. (see page 5)
As the course included November 18, we read Sensei’s
inspiring message for the Soka Gakkai Founding Day.
The weekend was packed with accomplished
entertainments and positive experiences and concluded with
determinations from eight Men’s Division leaders from around
the UK.
The joyful exuberance was palpable and we all left the
course really encouraged, encouraged and encouraged!
Unshakeable faith, unshakeable keibi!
More than 120 members of Dedicated
Keibi teams from each of the four
centres gathered on November 17
at Taplow Court for a day of great
inspiration and very enjoyable
biscuits gifted by Sensei, writes Lola
Hatmil.
Heartwarming experiences were
given by three members who talked of
expanding their lives by helping others
to understand Sensei’s heart through this
activity.
General Director Robert Samuels
shared Sensei’s guidance that “those who
strive for the incomparably great goal
of kosen-rufu become great individuals
themselves. A towering objective is a
towering source of inspiration”.
Robert thanked us for supporting the
SGI-UK centres over a steady and regular
period of time – and said this was an
expression of our faith and responsibility
for kosen-rufu.
He thanked Sue Marcus, outgoing
National Women’s Division leader for
SGI-UK Dedicated Keibi, who was then
applauded for her energy and enthusiasm
over the last 2 years.
Jess Smithers was equally welcomed
as the group’s new WD leader who would
now work alongside Men’s Division
leader Tony Phillips.
Keibi is a unique training opportunity
which supports the movement for kosenrufu
through our unity of “many in body,
one in mind”. Because Keibi is essentially
an ongoing determination, Robert hoped
the activity would have a deep effect
in our lives – triggering our intent to
prioritise Keibi to the best of our ability
as our pledge; our commitment to Sensei
to look after SGI-UK centres.
Veronica Turner, who spoke about
how Keibi has changed her life and
brought her singing voice back with even
more strength and courage, entertained
us with Butterfly, a beautiful self-penned
song including the words: “You were
born to transform. Spread your wings
like a butterfly”
Sue Marcus summed up the day by
encouraging us to take the spirit of Keibi
away with us and enjoy our commitment
to change our life and the lives of those
in our environment.
Yoichi Masumoto
Mandi Peers

Pictures: Ravi Juneja
SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue 84 21.11.2012 Page 3
A message from
President Ikeda
Pictures: Simon Addinsell
10,000 sit joyful study
exams across Europe
The highly successful 2012 study
courses reached a joyful conclusion
when SGI members across Europe
took the Grade 1 and Grade 2 study
exams.
More than 1,100 people took the
SGI-UK exams at the London Ikeda
Peace Centre, the South London
National Centre and the West London
Centre, as well as at many other
venues around the country on
November 11.
Study exams were taken by SGI
members in 24 countries across Europe.
A Scotland district leaders course at
Taplow Court which focused on the
Study Movement was held in May.
Scotland’s HQ Study Leaders took
time out of the SGI-UK Study Seminar
(which was running simultaneously)
to update participants on the latest
developments. After the course, study
groups were formed across Scotland.
For many months, candidates travelled
The European exams were
administered in nine different languages
and taken by some 10,000 people.
A great victory for Scotland
long distances to attend study sessions.
Some were learning how to practise
for the first time, others were pioneer
members courageously challenging
themselves and setting great examples.
On the day of the exam, venues were
situated in Edinburgh, Falkirk, Kirkcaldy,
Aberdeen, Inverness and Glasgow. All
reported high spirits and a great sense of
victory.
President Daisaku Ikeda sent the
following message for the study
exams:
I truly appreciate the hard work you
have made for the study exam, which is a
tradition in our organisation.
My dear comrades in SGI-UK, I
can see how earnestly, courageously
and tenaciously you are walking the
path of the “two ways of practice and
study”. There is no doubt that Nichiren
Daishonin is praising all of you to the
highest degree. You are so noble to have
studied and practised the great Law,
creating time in your busy schedule to
do this.
In the realm of faith, any kinds of
challenge will come to shine as the
best memories of your life and will
continue to sparkle throughout the three
existences of past, present and future as
your eternal good fortune.
Nichiren Daishonin says: “To uphold
the Lotus Sutra is to uphold belief in the
fact that our bodies are the Buddha’s
body.” (The Record of the Orally
Transmitted Teachings, p96)
There is nothing greater than your
existence as you live out your life for
kosen-rufu and chant the Mystic Law.
Because you are already a Buddha, there
is no reason for you to be defeated or fail
to become happy.
Regardless of the result of the exam,
I ask each one of you without exception
to become “an expert in hope”, “an
expert in happiness” and “an expert in
victory”. Please win in this respect and
open up a triumphant life for yourself
and others.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to
the noble members of the support team
and the people who have worked hard
behind the scenes, encouraging those
who are taking the exam.
Please stay well!
Daisaku Ikeda,
November 8 2012
Courtesy of Seikyo Press

Sarah Woollard Debbie Russell
Denis Siew
SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue 84 21.11.2012 Page 4
Courses round-up
World News
India: Bharat Soka Gakkai’s Young
Phoenix Group, made up of elementary
and junior high school students, held
their inaugural general meetings in 38
cities across India including New Delhi,
Mumbai and Bangaluru on October 28.
Beijing, China: On November 7, Soka
Gakkai Vice General Director Hiromasa
Ikeda led a delegation of Soka Gakkai
representatives to meet Chinese Vice
• 62 Bodhisattvas of the North gathered at Brigg near Scunthorpe for the Yorkshire
and Humberside HQ course from October 21-22, to refresh our lives, practice and
friendship, writes Joanne Smithson. It was a great weekend of good food, good
craic and good spirits as you’d expect of our Northern pioneers! With a theme of
‘Deciding to Manifest Joy in Our Lives, No Matter What’ it was so inspiring to watch
the battles and victories as one member after another planned actions for kosen-rufu
with renewed hope and joy. One member commented, “This is a really transformative
course. People are changing very deeply in their lives!” as true joy arose. Experiences
from every division showed courage, open heartedness and determination. I found
the true joy of giving with a glad heart, which was my course determination. Working
within the precious ‘Garland’ team of Lilacs, Sunflowers, Soka and Treasure groups, I
came to understand manifesting Buddhahood through taking compassionate action.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Zhijun.
Mr Ikeda gave the minister a letter
from President Ikeda to be conveyed to
President Hu Jintao.
São Paulo, Brazil: On October 19, the
city of Diadema, São Paulo, awarded
second Soka Gakkai president Josei
Toda, President Ikeda and Mrs Kaneko
Ikeda Diplomas of Merit for their efforts
in the promotion of peace and cultural
exchange. The awards also marked
October 19, designated by the city as
Brazil SGI Day. The conferral ceremony
was attended by some 200 people and
took place at the City Council Chambers,
where Brazil SGI Day has been
celebrated every year since 1999.
Vienna, Austria: The first Eastern
Europe Leaders Training Meeting was
held at the Austria Culture Centre in
Vienna from October 26-28. A total of
60 SGI representatives from Romania,
• South East London Area YW held a joyous and victorious summer course based
on the theme ‘Unlocking my limitless potential’ with 89 young women radiating glory
and cheer! writes Reema Parmar. There were great experiences rooted in actual
proof of achieving a breakthrough from deadlocked situations. The course was
packed with the spirit of never giving up and we celebrated with a cultural event
featuring dances, songs and poetry. Leanne Graham received her Gohonzon and said:
“I am so excited to start my journey and looking forward to amazing things to come.”
We had a lecture from General Director Robert Samuels and a Q and A with SGI-UK
YWD leader Lisa Cowan. We learnt the true meaning of ichinen or determination to
transform one’s life and to draw forth the power of the Law through faith and prayer.
What really struck me were the words, “Prayer is a vow to make something happen.”
Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic,
Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia,
Bulgaria and Serbia came together to
share experiences in faith and study the
writings of Nichiren. President Ikeda
sent a congratulatory message.
Haryana, India: On October 28, a peace
symposium was held to commemorate
the 40th anniversary of the first meeting
between President Ikeda and British
historian Dr Arnold Toynbee, which led
to the publication of their dialogue in
book form – ‘Choose Life’ – at the Soka
Bodhi Tree Garden. Speakers included
Mushirul Hasan, director general of
the National Archives of India; Mark
Tully, journalist and writer (former
Bureau Chief of BBC India); and Dr
Kavita A Sharma, director of the India
International Centre. Some 600 people
attended the event.
Senillosa, Argentina: The municipality
of Senillosa presented President Ikeda
and Argentinian human rights activist
and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Adolfo
Pérez Esquivel with certificates of
honorary citizenship and “distinguished
individual” awards for their contributions
to peace, culture and education. Mr
Esquivel and Sensei published a dialogue
on human rights in 2009 (in Spanish and
Japanese). Some 100 people attended the
conferral ceremony on October 13.
• ‘Let’s travel together the path of victory for Kosen-rufu’ was the theme of the South
West London HQ course at the South London National Centre on October 14 and
there was a deep sense of camaraderie in the room as each moment was filled with
a sense of care and support for one another, writes Jim Rajan.The highlight was a
lecture by Sachiyo Wilson who said that Bodhisattvas rise up where they are needed,
where people need encouragement. She ended her lecture with the wonderful
declaration that “the only thing we can take into the next life is how many people we
have helped in this one”. The day enveloped us with the deep encouragement to test
the truth of Buddhism now – and not to hold ourselves back!

A Buddhist magazine
November 2012
Price £3
Issue no. 137
Niki Taylor
Kyoko McInerney
SGI-UK online news bulletin Issue 84 21.11.2012 Page 5
Remembrance Day talk by SGI member Men’s Division study campaign
SGI-UK member David Vane gives his experience
of participating in a Remembrance Service at the
Southampton Cenotaph:
I felt very proud and humble to speak on behalf of the
Buddhist community at the Remembrance Service.
Standing alongside the Mayor of Southampton, his Sheriff,
Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Dame Mary Fagan, MPs Alan
Whitehead and John Denham, members of the council as well
as my friends from the Southampton Council of Faiths and
many, many representatives from the armed forces and over
a thousand members of the public, I reflected on President
Toda and President Ikeda’s encouragement to engage with the
community and spread the ideas of kosen-rufu.
Last week I watched several TV programmes about the
first world war and some of the horrific stories of the waste
of human life made me determined to take President Toda’s
and Sensei’s presence to the ceremony and to encourage SGI
members to join me at the ceremony next year.
Inspiring day for Lilacs in Glasgow
Young women of Scotland’s Ikeda Kayo-kai gathered
together for a Lilac Inspiration Day in Glasgow on
October 21, writes Mari Seaword.
We had a wonderful afternoon of inspiration, experiences,
Q&A. We sang the Lilac song ‘Springtime of Life’ and chatted,
not forgetting the lovely afternoon tea and cakes!
Becoming Unshakeable Women!
• Sister HQs, East Surrey and Mid Sussex together with West
Surrey and West Sussex New Era held a joint summer course
at the Holiday Inn, Gatwick, on September 2, writes Belinda
Usmar. Sachiyo Wilson shared her life in a presentation which
inspired us with its sincerity, deep faith and strength. Wonderful
experiences, rousing daimoku, determinations and the song
‘Unshakeable’ confirmed our theme had been achieved and we
were ‘Becoming Unshakeable Women’.
To celebrate November 18, the second Men’s
Division study campaign has been launched.
Robert Harrap, Men’s Division leader for
SGI-UK, extends an invitation to all the men of
the UK to join him over the next 28 weeks in
studying the Lotus Sutra, drawing on President
Ikeda’s dialogues about it. The campaign is based on the
‘The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra’ and will involve a weekly
instalment of material for the men to study. Please ask your
local Men’s Division leader for the weekly instalments.
Making a Superclean start to 2013!
For many years now, there has been an annual
Superclean, when Taplow Court is scrubbed, dusted and
polished all over, writes Gina Langton.
This year the Superclean is happening on Saturday
December 29. It’s an opportunity for not only the Dynamo team
but all members from all divisions to come along for the day
to make Taplow Court sparkle. It’s also a fantastic way to end
the year and start a new one. As it’s a whole day affair, lunch
is provided in the canteen if given advance notice. This is a
popular event and some members have been known to come
from as far away as Liverpool and Scotland. If you are interested
in coming to Taplow Court for the Superclean and want lunch,
or even some information regarding local B & Bs, email:
susie.jericho@virgin.net or ginalangton@mac.com for details.
Road works on the A4, the main road
between Taplow Court and Maidenhead
• Major road works have begun on the A4 near Taplow
Court and will continue until April 2013. Because of these
works journey times on Sundays between Taplow Court and
Maidenhead train station will be increased by as much as 20
minutes each way, therefore please make allowances for this
when you are thinking about arrival times at Taplow Court as
well as your return journey home.
Soka eBook Store launched
• The Soka eBook Store was launched on November 18,
featuring editions of President Ikeda’s writings in a number of
languages including English. Go to http://soka-ebook-store.com
November AoL: ‘The power of proof’
“A great revolution in a single human being
will help achieve a change in the destiny of all
mankind.”1
The power of proof
As we celebrate November 18, the founding
day of the Soka Gakkai, the invitation is offered to
set our sights on November 18 2013 and join an ‘Actual Proof
Campaign’. This is an opportunity to change the momentum of
our society by going for our dreams and determining to show
great actual proof in our lives through challenging ourselves in
Buddhist practice and our efforts to open our hearts to others.
As SGI President Ikeda, recalling the summer Olympics and
Paralympics states: “Our victories are not just personal victories.
They are ‘gold medals’ of the heart that will bring joy to our
fellow members in 192 countries and territories around the world
and inspire our successors in countless generations to come.”2
1 Foreword to the Human Revolution P.v
2 SGI Newsletter No. 8592, 23 August 2012
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 0118 9455412 for more
details or email annemarie28@ hotmail.com with your details.