SGI Canada Newsletter, No. 113 -September 6, 2024
SGI Canada Newsletter
Issue no. 113
September 6, 2024
Welcome to the 113th 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
“The Great Light of Pacifism Illuminating the World”
In his September 2024 editorial in Daibyakurenge, Soka Gakkai President Harada describes the importance that President Ikeda assigned to September 8, the anniversary of Josei Toda’s 1957 declaration calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons:
September 8 was also the date President Ikeda issued his call for the normalization of relations between Japan and China at a student division general meeting in 1968. It was the date he was invited to attend a gathering of the people of Atsuta Village, his mentor’s hometown, in 1973; the date when he made his first visit to the Soviet Union in 1974; and the date he designated for the publication of the last installment of The New Human Revolution in the Seikyo Shimbun in 2018.
President Ikeda once wrote: “On September 8 each year, I renew my determination to strengthen our gathering of Soka youth.” True to his word, he set an example through his struggle as a disciple and entrusted to us, his successors, the task of transforming the karma of humanity. There is no question that now is the time for us to inherit that Soka spirit and make our mentor’s wish a reality.
The first three presidents all treasured these words of Nichiren Daishonin: “When once we chant Myoho-renge-kyo, with just that single sound we summon forth and manifest the Buddha nature of all . . . living beings” (WND-1, 887). The sound of our voices chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo has the power to awaken the Buddha nature within all people and to move the universe.
Our steadfast daily efforts to sow the seeds of this Mystic Law are a sacred endeavour to draw forth Buddhahood within all living beings; they are the great light of peace that illuminates our troubled world. Embracing the principle of establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land, let’s strive to engage in dialogue to further spread our movement for the good of all humankind!
The complete editorial will appear in the November 2024 New Century.
News
Men’s Group General Meetings
Men’s group General Meetings are continuing in September with the theme of “Building Strong Connections Through Dialogue”.
In his message published in the August New Century, SGI Canada Men’s Leader Ian Mattinson highlights Sensei’s guidance from volume 21 of The New Human Revolution:
True leaders are always thinking about how they can inspire a profound sense of mission in as many people as possible. (The New Human Revolution v.21, “SGI chapter”, p.40)
Please ask your local leaders about the Men’s Group General Meeting closest to you.
First Chapter Established in Slovakia
SGI members in Slovakia ( © www.sokaglobal.org)
On August 4, a commemorative ceremony to mark the establishment of a chapter in Slovakia was held in the capital Bratislava. The event was also broadcast to other venues across the country online. Miroslava Photiou was appointed as chapter leader and two groups were formed under the chapter. SGI Europe Cochairs Suzanne Pritchard and Robert Harrap were present.
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Changes to Monthly Pre-Authorized Payments (PAP) starting on October 1, 2024
If you are using monthly Pre-Authorized Payments (PAP) to pay for your publication subscriptions or to make financial contributions to SGI Canada, please note that the following changes will take effect on October 1, 2024:
- If you would like to make any changes to your Pre-Authorized Payments for subscriptions or financial contributions (including cancellations) in a particular month, SGI Canada must receive the changes no later than the 1st of that month (previously it was on the 10th of the month).
- Funds for PAP will be withdrawn on the 17th of each month (previously it was on the 28th of the month). If your Pre-Authorized Payment is drawn from a chequing account, and if the 17th falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the bank will process the payment on the next business day.
- If your Pre-Authorized Payment is declined by your bank, you will need to pay the amount owing by either:
- using a valid credit card (this is only for a one-time clear-out of the declined payment)
- mailing a cheque to SGI Canada (at SGI Canada’s National Office in Toronto) to be received within five business days
- If the declined payment is not settled, the PAP agreement will be cancelled, and you will be invited to use your SGI Canada online portal account to continue your subscriptions and make contributions.
We thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Upcoming events
Young Phoenix Group General Meetings
We are super excited to share that the Young Phoenix Group (YPG) members will be holding their General Meetings this September supported by the Youth Division! We have prepared a one-page document outlining the significance, agenda items and timelines for the upcoming YPG General Meetings. This will be distributed to all leaders. The goal of the document is to help unite everyone and inform everyone of the Young Phoenix Group’s direction toward this meeting.
Thank you for your support!!
YPG National Leaders
Harold Hunter
Megumi Takahashi
Study Exam in October
Registration
Registration for the SGI Canada Level 2 Study Exam is now open.
The exam will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2024 and will be offered in English, French and Chinese. Everyone who passed the SGI Canada 2019 Basics Exam or the SGI Canada 2023 Introductory Exam is eligible to write the Level 2 exam in October.
You can register for the exam by completing the short form at: https://forms.gle/mBu4gexhoC6yYEyb8
or by using the QR Code below:
Anyone wishing to write the exam must first register.
Study Materials
The study materials for the Level 2 Exam are:
- The Basics of Nichiren Buddhism for the New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu: chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10
- SGI President Ikeda’s lecture entitled “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land”—Engaging in Dialogues of Hope to Bring Happiness and Peace to All People
PDF File
The Level 2 Exam materials are now available in PDF format with highlighted key passages. You can obtain the PDF file through your local district leaders.
Printed Versions
The Basics of Nichiren Buddhism for the New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu is available from the SGI Canada Online Bookstore and local SGI Canada bookstores in English, French and Chinese.
President Ikeda’s lecture on the Gosho “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land” is contained in the August issue of NEW CENTURY. A podcast introducing this lecture is available on the SGI Canada website at:
https://www.sgicanada.org/activities/podcast-sgi-canada-level-2-study-exam
More information about the exam is available on the SGI Canada website at:
https://www.sgicanada.org/activities/sgi-canada-level-2-study-exam
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 September 20, 2024. See you then!