Members of the SGI practice the Buddhism taught by Nichiren, a 13th Century Japanese priest whose philosophy centered around the final teaching of the first historically recognized Buddha (known as Siddhartha Gautama or Shakyamuni Buddha). This teaching, called the Lotus Sutra, declares that all living beings have the potential to attain enlightenment or Buddhahood.Enlightenment is an awakening to the true nature of life, including the profound realization of the interconnectedness of all things — the inseparable relationship between the individual and the environment and the ability of each human being to powerfully influence both. This realization leads the individual to assume personal responsibility for his or her own condition of life and for that of the environment.This responsibility is furthered by an understanding of the simultaneity of cause and effect. Each thought, word and deed has an immediate effect both on the individual and on his or her environment.The goal SGI members try to achieve is to manifest Buddhahood, or enlightenment, in their lives, which will tap their creative potential as individuals and, in so doing, create thriving and peaceful families, work places and communities. The eventual goal is, through the gradual "human revolution" of the individual, to create peace and prosperity in societies throughout the world. _______________________________________________"While it is true that Buddhism embodies a profound philosophy of life, and we must not depreciate the intellectual side, in its essence Buddhist doctrines enlarge on the Buddha's own enlightenment — enlightenment which can be acquired only through practice." —Daisaku Ikeda
SGI Members and anyone interested in SGI ________________________________________________ Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyoNichiren taught that all of the benefits of the wisdom contained in the Lotus Sutra can be realized by chanting its title [Nam] Myoho Renge Kyo. Chanting these words and excerpts from the Lotus Sutra is the core of this Buddhist practice, supported by study and the propagation of teachings. Faith, practice and study are the basics of the Buddhist practice, pursuing activities for oneself and activities for the sake of others.The GohonzonNichiren Daishonin inscribed the fundamental object of respect, the Gohonzon. The object, in the form of a scroll, depicts, in Chinese characters, the law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and the life of Nichiren, as well as protective influences. Down the center are the characters Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and Nichiren's signature. This indicates the oneness of person and Law — that the condition of Buddhahood is a potential within and can be manifested by all people. SGI members enshrine a replica of the Gohonzon in their homes as a focal point for their daily practice. The Gohonzon's power comes from the worshipper's faith — the Gohonzon functions as a spiritual mirror. Sitting in front of the Gohonzon and chanting, a person is able to recognize and reveal his or her own Buddha nature, the creative essence of life.Daily Practice - GongyoThe Japanese word gongyo literally means "assiduous practice." Generally speaking it means to recite Buddhist sutras in front of an object of worship. The practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is to recite Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and part of the second "Hoben" and the entire sixteenth "Juryo" chapters of the Lotus Sutra in front of the Gohonzon. This is the fundamental practice of Nichiren Buddhism, performed morning and evening.
The Major Writings (Gosho)Nichiren Daishonin was persecuted throughout his life by the Japanese government and by religious powers who considered his revolutionary teachings a grave threat to their continued authority. Nevertheless, the letters he wrote to his followers, often under the most dire conditions, illustrate that even in the midst of the greatest challenge, he was able to realize the great beauty of life and feel joy and compassion for others. These letters and treatises, more than 400 of which remain today, are collected in English as The Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, and are the primary study material for SGI members.Lay believers - the SGIUntil the 1930s the followers of Nichiren known as the Hokkeko were a relatively small group of lay believers, led by the priesthood of the Fuji School (Nichiren Shoshu). In 1930, a lay organization was founded by educator Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. During World War II, Makiguchi was imprisoned for refusing to compromise his religious beliefs and resisting pressure from the Japanese government to accept the State Shinto religion, which was used to unify the public in support of the war. He died in prison in 1944. His successor, Josei Toda, was also imprisoned, but survived to help lead the postwar growth of the Soka Gakkai ("Value Creation Society") from a handful of members to more than 750,000 households before his death in 1958. The third President, Daisaku Ikeda, has guided the movement to its present day strength of 10 million members in Japan, and approximately 2 million members in more than 180 countries and territories abroad. The international organization, Soka Gakkai International (SGI), was formally established in 1975.In 1991 the SGI organization separated from the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood.
Shakyamuni, Tientai, Lotus Sutra The SGI's philosophical roots reach back to Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha who was active in India circa 500 B.C. From India, Mahayana Buddhism spread through Central Asia and China, eventually reaching Japan. Shakyamuni's ability to impart hope, courage and wisdom lay in his deep compassion for and desire to save the troubled and despairing. The impact of his teachings was felt throughout northeastern India, where they were spread verbally through his interaction with the people. From numerous scriptures available today, it can be surmised that he often expounded his teachings in response to the people's questions. A fragment of the Lotus Sutra, written in Sanskrit and regarded to be the oldest document of its kind, was found in Central Asia in the 19th century.Since Shakyamuni's activities spanned five decades and covered a considerable geographical area, the people who came to embrace his teachings were diverse, and the nature of his many teachings varied accordingly, giving rise to a number of different interpretations and schools. Among the teachings that spread from Central Asia to China, and then to Japan through the Korean peninsula, none was more widely revered than the Lotus Sutra, thought to be the essential teaching he revealed in the last eight years of his life.Shakyamuni's earliest teachings strove to awaken people to the impermanence of all phenomena in order to free them from the sufferings that arise from egoistic attachment to things that the passage of time will destroy or render meaningless. This is a point held in common by all Buddhist schools. The Lotus Sutra, however, further taught the existence of an innate and universal truth known as the Buddha nature, the manifestation of which enables one to enjoy absolute happiness and to act with boundless compassion. Rather than stressing impermanence and the consequent need to eliminate earthly desires and attachments, the Lotus Sutra asserts the ultimate reality of the Buddha nature inherent in all life. It is therefore a teaching which profoundly affirms the realities of daily life, and which naturally encourages an active engagement with others and with the whole of human society.The Lotus Sutra is also unique among the teachings of Shakyamuni in that it makes the attainment of enlightenment a possibility open to all people - without distinction based on race, gender, social standing or education.