SGI Canada Newsletter, No. 125 - February 28, 2025
SGI Canada Newsletter
Issue no. 125
February 28, 2025
Welcome to the 125th 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
Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada’s editorial
In his editorial in the March issue of Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai monthly study journal, Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada writes about the importance of ordinary people:
In his final lecture on the key passages from The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, President Ikeda states with great conviction: “The principle that ‘ordinary people are identical with the highest level of being [i.e., Buddhahood]’ (OTT, 22) defines the true nature of the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, affirming that genuine Buddhas are not superhuman beings.”
The Otaru Debate, whose 70th anniversary will be commemorated on March 11, is one of the historic achievements that demonstrate this truth—that ordinary people are, in fact, supremely noble.
A member of the Soka Gakkai women’s division had fearlessly challenged the arrogant priests of the Nichiren Shu (the Minobu school of Nichiren Buddhism), advocating for justice and championing the true teachings of Buddhism. This ultimately led to the debate. I once had the opportunity to meet this woman. She hailed from a humble fishing village in Aomori and was an unassuming, down-to-earth woman of the people.
Under the guidance of President Toda, the debate was fully entrusted to the youth division, led by President Ikeda. On the opposing side, university professors who were also registered priests represented Nichiren Shu. By contrast, the Soka Gakkai representatives had no formal titles or credentials to their names. However, President Ikeda’s resolute and confident opening statement as moderator for the Soka Gakkai side turned the tide of the debate from the outset. It ended in a resounding victory for the Soka Gakkai, and from that moment forward, our members in Hokkaido have seen remarkable growth.
As symbolized by the Otaru Debate, the history of the Soka Gakkai is a magnificent drama of the people’s revival and victory. Our movement pays no regard to one’s social position or prestige, academic stature or reputation. We reach out to others in dialogue and expand bonds of friendship as noble ordinary people—and this is how we open up the path of kosen-rufu.
This spirit encapsulated President Ikeda’s approach to dialogue. Even when engaging with the world’s thinkers and leaders, he never put on airs. Instead, he communicated the spirit of Buddhism as part of the natural flow of conversation.
In the preface to their dialogue published a half-century ago, the eminent British historian Arnold J. Toynbee (1889–1975) made it clear that both he and President Ikeda believed that humankind must make profound changes to ensure its survival. The grassroots dialogues conducted by Soka Gakkai members worldwide are the direct path to human revolution for oneself and others. With courage and conviction ablaze, let us once again actively engage in dialogue today!
The complete editorial will be available in the April issue of New Century.
News
SGI Canada participates in World Religion Day event
On January 19, 2025, the Town of Halton Hills Interfaith Community hosted the second annual World Religion Day celebration in Georgetown at the John Elliott Theatre. Approximately 150 people attended, including representatives from seven faith groups who made presentations and hosted information displays about Indigenous, Bahá'i, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Christian, and Buddhist beliefs and practices.
The theme was "Women of Faith: Exploring Their Impact and Roles in Faith Communities."
The relevance of Nichiren Buddhism was presented by two SGI Canada speakers—National Young Women's Group leader Mai Ogushi, and Central Region Vice Young Women's Group leader Stephanie MacAlpine.
Mai highlighted that the Lotus Sutra was revolutionary for its time because it declared that everyone, regardless of gender, age, or social status, is inherently a Buddha, and capable of experiencing and expressing enlightenment.
Stephanie shared the profound story of deepening her Buddhist faith in the process of receiving a life-changing heart transplant in 2023.
A song video called 'Hope for One and All,' featuring images of the Interfaith Council members in action, was created by Halton Hills District leader Kat Taylor, who also led a sing-along at intermission. Her original song 'Family from Sea to Sea' concluded with the rousing words: “And we’ll never cease, and our triumph will shine, for joy is yours and mine forever! Our family from sea to sea will build the twenty-first century!”
Six district members supported the event, together with three guests. Seven other members travelled to support the afternoon including SGI Canada National Women’s Group leader Helen Izumi-Choi and her family, and SGI Canada Executive Advisor and Georgetown native, Tony Meers.
SGI Canada’s Halton Hills District is a founding member of the Halton Hills Interfaith Council, which met for the first time in August 2023.
Tax receipts available now!
Your official 2024 donation receipt for income tax purposes is now available. If you have chosen to receive your receipt by mail, it will be sent to you over the next few weeks.
If you have chosen to download your official income tax receipt, you can do so immediately by signing into your SGI Canada online portal account and choosing Donations and then Tax Receipts.
You can change the way in which you receive your income tax receipt at any time between March 16 and December 30 each year by emailing contact@sgicanada.org.
Upcoming events
“Be the Sun of Hope!”
Following Ikeda Sensei’s guidance, SGI Canada youth have launched their “Be the Sun of Hope” dialogue campaign, making great efforts to hold small-group meetings and visit members and friends. In this first phase of the campaign, Youth Division members are working toward the success of the Youth Division General Meetings in March.
Ikeda Sensei says:
Small, inconspicuous gatherings—discussion meetings, home visits, and personal guidance—are what really matter. Truly capable leaders are those who can engage others, on a one-to-one basis, in inspiring dialogue and move them with warmhearted encouragement to set forth with renewed determination in faith. Determination inspired in this way tends to last. It becomes a catalyst, causing a ripple effect that spreads out to touch many, many others.
Only steady efforts to visit one member after another and to conduct sincere heart-to-heart dialogue can produce such ripples. Such efforts have been the secret to the Soka Gakkai’s development to this day. So if we resolve to redouble our commitment to these efforts, we can create another powerful ripple effect. It is along this path that the eternal development of kosen-rufu lies. (New Century, February 2025, pp. 5-6.)
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 March 14, 2025. See you then!