SGI Canada Newsletter, No. 105 - May 17, 2024
SGI Canada Newsletter
Issue no. 105
May 17, 2024
Welcome to the 105th issue of the SGI Canada Newsletter, a bi-weekly summary of news, upcoming events and encouragement. If you are not subscribing to the SGI Canada Newsletter, you may do so by clicking on the button below. Subscriptions are free of charge, and the SGI Canada Newsletter will be emailed directly to you.
Encouragement
Brimming with hope and conviction!
In this excerpt from his May 2024 editorial in Daibyakurenge, Soka Gakkai President Harada continues to write about the spirit of May 3:
It was President Ikeda who designated May 3 as an eternal day of fresh departure for all Soka Gakkai members. On May 3, 1958, in the immediate aftermath of President Toda’s death [on April 2], at a time when a sombre mood prevailed, he presented his idea of the Seven Bells[1] as a new direction for the Soka Gakkai, to shine a light of hope. Mr. Toda often said that the Soka Gakkai embarked on a phase of major new development every seven years, and President Ikeda translated this into his personal determination.
Years later [in 1997], he expanded on his vision that stretched to the latter half of the 23rd century. Starting with the consolidation of the groundwork for peace in the first half of the 21st century, it progressed to the establishment of the dignity of life as the underlying spirit throughout the world, and toward a brilliant flowering of humanistic culture. He entrusted this vision to his disciples.
So as we celebrate the first May 3 since the passing of President Ikeda, we should be brimming with hope and conviction, and the determination to repay our debt of gratitude to him as disciples by making our mentor’s vision a reality.
On the day of his inauguration as the third Soka Gakkai president on May 3, 1960, President Ikeda wrote in his diary of his resolve to “embark upon the greatest challenge of this lifetime, to spread the Law, transcending the bounds of life and death.” Embracing the great vow of the first three presidents, let us sound the victory bell of mentor and disciple, transcending the bounds of life and death!
[1] Seven Bells: The first series of Seven Bells consists of seven consecutive seven-year periods in the Soka Gakkai’s development from its founding in 1930 through 1979. On May 3, 1958, shortly after President Toda’s death on April 2, President Ikeda, then Soka Gakkai youth division chief of staff, introduced this idea and announced targets for subsequent seven-year periods. On May 3, 1966, he spoke of a new series of Seven Bells that he envisaged unfolding in the 21st century.
The complete editorial appears in the June 2024 New Century.
News
President Harada meets Pope Francis
© Vatican Media
On May 10, Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada met with Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, Rome.
President Harada conveyed his hope that, in these tumultuous times, religions that seek peace can transcend their differences and work together based on a shared love for humanity. Pope Francis thanked President Harada for these sentiments
On behalf of the Ikeda family, President Harada then conveyed appreciation for the condolences extended by Pope Francis on the passing of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda.
President Harada said that he wished to continue working together for the happiness of humanity and for peace in the world. The Pope, expressing his concern at the current situation, stated that war is a sign of the defeat of humanity, and that it must be eradicated.
Their friendly conversation, filled with the spirit of working together for peace, lasted for 30 minutes.
SGI Canada Special Fund
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Thank you so much for your sincere dedication and for your support in every way for the advancement of kosen-rufu in Canada!
We hope you found this newsletter beneficial. Please email your questions or comments to contact@sgicanada.org. Please note that the next SGI Canada Newsletter will appear on May 31, 2024. See you then!