About SGI Canada

The Soka Gakkai International (SGI) is a worldwide organization dedicated to peace, culture and education based on the humanistic philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism. There are 12 million SGI practitioners in 192 countries and territories. SGI Canada is the constituent SGI organization in Canada and is a registered charity.

The core message that Shakyamuni (the historical Buddha) revealed in the Lotus Sutra was that everyone has the potential to manifest their enlightened nature (Buddhahood). Nichiren Daishonin, a 13th century Buddhist reformer, further clarified this teaching and established a means for everyone to tap into this inherent nature by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. By chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo we can transform suffering into joy by bringing forth our inherent life force—wisdom, courage and compassion.

The expansion of Nichiren Buddhism was realized by the three founding presidents of the Soka Gakkai; Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda (President of SGI). In less than 80 years, they have built a global movement of people from all backgrounds and walks of life. They have made the profound message of Nichiren Daishonin and the Lotus Sutra accessible and relevant to humanity in the modern world, transcending national, ethnic and cultural differences.