Jump to content

Soka Gakkai International

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Soka Gakkai International
創価学会インターナショナル
AbbreviationSGI
FormationJanuary 26, 1975
HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
AffiliationsSoka Gakkai
Revenuedonations and investments
Websitesokaglobal.org

Soka Gakkai International (SGI) is an international Nichiren Buddhist organization founded in 1975 by Daisaku Ikeda, as an umbrella organization of Soka Gakkai.

It is run by two vice-presidents, including Hiromasa Ikeda, son of the founder. It claims 12 million adherents, but scholars claim the number is overestimated. Recent scholarship estimates Soka Gakkai believers around 2.5 million people in Japan.

History

[edit]

The Soka Gakkai International (SGI) was formed at a conference on January 26, 1975, on the island of Guam. Representatives from 51 countries attended the meeting and chose Daisaku Ikeda, who served as third president of the Japanese Buddhist organization Soka Gakkai, to become the SGI's founding president. Its founding meeting in Guam is a symbolic gesture referencing Guam's history as the site of some of World War II's bloodiest battles, and proximity to Tinian Island, launching place of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.[citation needed]

The Soka Gakkai's initial global expansion began after World War II, when some Soka Gakkai members married mostly American servicemen and moved away from Japan.[1] Expansion efforts gained a further boost in 1960 when Ikeda succeeded Jōsei Toda as president of the Soka Gakkai.[2][3] In the first year of his presidency, Ikeda visited the United States, Canada, and Brazil, and the Soka Gakkai's first American headquarters officially opened in Los Angeles in 1963.[2][4]

In May 2015, the SGI-USA was one of the organizing groups for the first-ever Buddhist conference at the White House.[5]

In June 2015, the SGI-Italy was recognized by the Italian government with a special accord under Italian Constitution Article 8, acknowledging it as an official religion of Italy and eligible to receive direct taxpayer funding for its religious and social activities. It also recognizes the Soka Gakkai as a "Concordat" (It: "Intesa") that grants the religions status in "a special 'club' of denominations consulted by the government in certain occasions, allowed to appoint chaplains in the army – a concordat is not needed for appointing chaplains in hospitals and jails – and, perhaps more importantly, to be partially financed by taxpayers' money." Twelve other religious denominations share this status.[6][7]

Organization

[edit]

National SGI organizations operate autonomously and all affairs are conducted in the local language.[8] Many national organizations are coordinated by groups such as a women's group, a men's group, and young women's and young men's groups.[9] National organizations generally raise their own operational funds, although the SGI headquarters in Tokyo has awarded funding grants to smaller national organizations for projects such as land acquisition and the construction of new buildings.[9] SGI-affiliated organizations outside Japan are forbidden to engage directly in politics.[9]

The Soka Gakkai International comprises a global network of affiliated organizations. As of 2011, the SGI reported active national organizations in 192 countries and territories with a total of approximately 12 million members.[10] The SGI is independent of the Soka Gakkai (the domestic Japanese organization), although both are headquartered in Tokyo.[8]

Demographics

[edit]

The Soka Gakkai International comprises a global network of affiliated organizations. As of 2011, the SGI reported active national organizations in 192 countries and territories with a total of approximately 12 million members.[10] The SGI is independent of the Soka Gakkai (the domestic Japanese organization), although both are headquartered in Tokyo.[8] Recent scholarship estimates Soka Gakkai believers around 2.5 million people in Japan.[citation needed]

The Soka Gakkai International is notable among Buddhist organizations for the racial and ethnic diversity of its members.[8] Susumu Shimazono, Professor Emeritus of religious studies at the University of Tokyo and now Professor at Sophia University, suggested several reasons for this : "One of the common characteristics of the New Religions is their response to strongly felt needs of individuals in their daily lives, their solutions to discord in interpersonal relations, their practical teaching that offers concrete solutions for carrying on a stable social life, and their provision, to individuals who have been cut off from traditional communities".[11]

Peter Clarke wrote that the SGI appeals to non-Japanese in part because "no one is obliged to abandon their native culture or nationality in order to fully participate in the spiritual and cultural life of the movement."[12]

Initiatives promoting peace, culture and education

[edit]
Villa Sachsen SGI center in Bingen am Rhein, Germany

The SGI defines itself as a "movement for contributing to peace, culture and education" based on its "interpretation and practical application of the ideas in the Lotus Sutra."[13]

SGI is affiliated with the United Nations in policy discussions on issues including human rights, sustainable development and peace building is similarly described, in the phrasing of its Charter, as contributing to peace, culture and education.[14]: 15, 16, 30 [15]

SGI's social and cultural projects appear to be part of a strategy, according to some scholars and critics of Soka Gakkai, which "uses the image and practice of an NGO (to respond) to its own necessity: the recruitment and maintenance of membership" and "tries to create the image of an institution engaged in activities to promote peace, culture and education based on Buddhism, clearly following the tendencies of national politics",[16] according to scholar Suzana Ramos Coutinho Bornholdt in Japanese Buddhism and Social Action: the case of Soka Gakkai.[16]

Environmental awareness

[edit]

The SGI also promotes environmental initiatives through educational activities such as exhibitions, lectures and conferences, and more direct activities such as tree planting projects and the SGI's Amazon Ecological Conservation Center, which is administered by SGI-Brazil.[17] The center is engaged in reforestation, the creation of a regional seed bank, and experiments in sustainable agroforestry.[18]

Reflecting pool at the Ikeda Ecological Park in Londrina, Brazil, named in honor of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

In India, the Bharat Soka Gakkai (the SGI of India) debuted the traveling exhibit "Seeds of Hope," a joint initiative of the SGI and Earth Charter International. At the exhibit's opening in Panaji, the state capital of Goa, regional planning head Edgar Ribeiro spoke of lagging efforts to implement environmental laws and stated that "Only a people's movement can take sustainability forward."[19]

Aid work

[edit]

The SGI conducts humanitarian aid projects in disaster-stricken regions. After the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, local Soka Gakkai facilities became refugee shelters and distribution centers for relief supplies. Efforts also included worldwide fundraising for the victims, youth groups, and spiritual support.[20][21] In 2014, SGI-Chile members collected supplies to deliver to emergency services and refugee centers after that country's devastating Iquique earthquake.[22]

Cultural activities

[edit]
Gymnastic formation by the Brazil SGI team at Rio de Janeiro, on October 30, 2011. Performance art is one of Soka Gakkai's peace activities.
SGI-USA DC Buddhist Cultural Center in Washington, D.C.

Cultural institutions

[edit]

The Min-On Concert Association is a subsidiary of the Soka Gakkai established in 1963. It claims to sponsor over 1100 concerts each year.[23]

Daisaku Ikeda also founded the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum in 1983. It houses collections of western and oriental art, and has participated in exchanges with museums around the world.[24]

Performance art

[edit]

Soka Gakkai considers dance and other genres of performance art to be a major aspect of its peace activities. It has a long tradition of "culture festivals", originating in the 1950s, which take the form of group gymnastics, marching bands, traditional ensembles, orchestras, ballet, or choral presentations.

Educational activities

[edit]

The educational activities of the Soka Gakkai are often subsumed under the title of Soka education.

Notable members of the Soka Gakkai International

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Laderman, Gary (2003). Religion and American Cultures: An Encyclopedia of Traditions, Diversity, and Popular Expressions. ABC CLIO. ISBN 9781576072387.
  2. 1 2 Ronan Alves Pereira (2008). "The transplantation of Soka Gakkai to Brazil: building "the closest organization to the heart of Ikeda-Sensei"". Japanese Journal of Religious Studies.
  3. ↑ Strand, Clark (Winter 2008). "Faith in Revolution". Tricycle. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  4. ↑ Prebish, Charles (1999). Luminous Passage: The Practice and Study of Buddhism in America. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520216976.
  5. ↑ "U.S., Buddhist Leaders to Meet at the White House". Washington Post. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "Religion in the Italian Constitution". Georgetown University. Retrieved 10 August 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. ↑ "Istituto Buddista Italiano Soka Gakkai". Governo Italiano. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Métraux, Daniel (2013). "Soka Gakkai International: The Global Expansion of a Japanese Buddhist Movement". Religion Compass. 7 (10): 423–432. doi:10.1111/rec3.12070.
  9. 1 2 3 Métraux, Daniel (2013). "Soka Gakkai International: Japanese Buddhism on a Global Scale". Virginia Review of Asian Studies.
  10. 1 2 Gebert, Andrew. "Soka Gakkai". Oxford Bibliographies. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  11. ↑ Shimazono, Susumu (1991). "The Expansion of Japan's New Religions into Foreign Cultures". Japanese Journal of Religious Studies. 18 (2–3). doi:10.18874/jjrs.18.2-3.1991.105-132.
  12. ↑ Clarke, Peter B. (2000). "'Success' and 'Failure': Japanese New Religions Abroad". Japanese New Religions in Global Perspective. Curzon Press. ISBN 978-0700711857.
  13. ↑ Kawada, Yoichi (2009). "The SGI Within the Historical Context of Buddhism—and Its Philosophical Basis" (PDF). The Journal of Oriental Studies. 19: 103. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  14. ↑ Berger, Julia (March 2003). "Religious Nongovernmental Organizations: An Exploratory Analysis". Voluntas. 14 (1): 15–39. doi:10.1023/A:1022988804887. S2CID 145398156.
  15. ↑ "SGI Charter". Soka Gakkai International. n.d. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  16. 1 2 Ramos Coutinho Bornholdt, Ramos Coutinho Bornholdt (Sep 2008). Japanese Buddhism and Social Action: the case of So. Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo: Revista Nures nº 10 (published 2008).
  17. ↑ Dessì, Ugo (2013). "'Greening Dharma': Contemporary Japanese Buddhism and Ecology". Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture. 7 (3): 339–40. doi:10.1558/jsrnc.v7i3.334. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  18. ↑ Seager, Richard (2006), Encountering the Dharma, Berkeley: University of California Press, p. 192
  19. ↑ Ribeiro, Edgar (2016-02-12). "Edgar Riberio pushes for mapping Goa". Times of India. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
  20. ↑ "Sendai UN Disaster Panel". Pan Orient News. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  21. ↑ "Grassroot responses to the Tohoku earthquake of 11 March 2011" (PDF). Anthropology Today Vol. 28, June 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 3, 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  22. ↑ Blumberg, Antonia (2014-06-17). "Yes, Religion Can Still Be A Force For Good In The World. Here Are 100 Examples How". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  23. ↑ "Min-On Concert Association". www.min-on.org.
  24. ↑ Karel Dobbelaere, "Toward a Pillar Organization?" in Global Citizens, Machacek and Wilson (eds.), page=245
  25. ↑ Sachs, Mark (7 August 2009). "Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje not lost in L.A." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  26. ↑ "Angelica Ross on How to Get the World to See You as YOU". buddhability. 2020-10-08. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  27. ↑ White, Abbey (2022-08-04). "Angelica Ross to Make Broadway Debut in 'Chicago'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  28. ↑ Steinthal, Vibeke (April 2011). "Skuespilleren Anne Louise Hassing: "Vi Har Alle En Mission"" (PDF). Liv & Sjæl (in Danish): 31–35. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  29. ↑ Carlisle, Belinda (April 2011). Lips Are Sealed: A Memoir. Crown. ISBN 9780307463500. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  30. ↑ "Meio século de conquistas". www.bsgi.org.br. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  31. ↑ Negru, John Harvey (March 31, 2018). "We're All Different: Musician Glenn Copeland on his journey as a Black, Buddhist, transgender artist". Lion's Roar. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  32. ↑ Ratliff, Ben (22 February 2007). "Celebrating a Saxohonist's Art and Heart". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  33. ↑ Moretti, Carlo (4 April 2011). "Carmen Consoli Buddista e antinucleare la mia protesta cantata contro guerra e machismo". Repubblica. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  34. ↑ "Celeste Lecesne: About". Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  35. ↑ "James Lecesne". Speaker Profile. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  36. ↑ Charles, Blaine (12 March 2014). "Celebrating Diversity". Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  37. ↑ Harvey, Claire (31 December 2005). "Free-range soul searching replacing organized religion in NZ". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  38. ↑ Heavens, Andrew (29 January 2005). "Journey from famine to the hunger of the soul". The Times (UK). Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  39. ↑ "Interview". www.shondaland.com. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  40. ↑ Ulyatt, Charlie (9 January 2007). "The Chanting Buddhas". BBC. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  41. ↑ "Buddhist Peace Group Hosts Art Shows, Performances". 21 November 2007.
  42. ↑ Cowart, Jeremy (30 January 2007). "Sheik scores on Broadway". USA Today. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  43. ↑ Wheaton, Sarah (2 January 2007). "A Congressman, a Muslim and a Buddhist Walk Into a Bar..." The New York Times. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  44. ↑ "Myo in the Media". Ft Worth Buddhas. Soka Gakkai International-Fort Worth. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  45. ↑ Davis, James D. (24 May 1996). "Enriching The Soul". The Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  46. ↑ "Sgi USA".
  47. ↑ Jones, Howard. "Howard On Buddhism". Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  48. ↑ Teaser | Entrevista: Isabela Garcia | Brasil Seikyo 31 dez. 2018 | Ed. 2448, 19 December 2018, retrieved 2022-08-22
  49. 1 2 Davis, James D. (24 May 1996). "Enriching The Soul". The Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  50. ↑ Autista, Mundo (2020-02-03). "Victor Mendonça lança, nessa semana, o livro "Ikeda - Um Século de Humanismo"". O Mundo Autista (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  51. ↑ "Letícia Colin é indicada a Melhor Atriz no Emmy Internacional por 'Onde Está Meu Coração': 'Imensamente feliz!'". gshow (in Brazilian Portuguese). 29 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  52. ↑ "Excerpt from Chapter 10: Our Love Is Here to Stay" from Don't Look Back, We're Not Going That Way, by Marcia Wallace, Marcia Wallace's Super Fine Wedding by Pamela Dumond, June 30, 2011, www.thepopculturedivas.com". Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  53. ↑ Broadway, Bill (23 March 2002). "Widow's Strength Inspires Faithful: Public Statements Demonstrate Pearl's Buddhist Beliefs". the Washington Post.
  54. ↑ "Miranda Kerr Chants With Baby Flynn And Husband Orlando Bloom!". Hollywood Life. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  55. ↑ Cepeda, Orlando (1998). "Baby Bull: From Hardball to Hard Time and Back". Taylor Trade Publishing. ISBN 9781461625131.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: periodical has ISBN (link)
  56. ↑ Magister, Sandro (4 September 1997). "Budddisti Soka Gakkai. Una Sabina vi con convertirà". Espress Online (in Italian). Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  57. ↑ "Ronald Earle Glass (1945-2016) •". 2020-10-25. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  58. ↑ Magister, Sandro (2 December 2008). "Buddhisti Soka Gakkai". Espress Online. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  59. ↑ "Shan Serafin: Biography". IMDb. n.d. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
  60. ↑ Matsutani, Minoru (2 December 2008). "Soka Gakkai keeps religious, political machine humming". The Japan Times. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  61. ↑ "https://genialcare.com.br/blog/autista-e-lgbtqia/". genialcare.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-11-10. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  62. ↑ Walder, Joyce (14 December 2006). "Storming Broadway From Atop a Fortress". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  63. ↑ Farley, Maggie (26 March 1995). "Japan Sects Offer Personal Path in Rudderless Society". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  64. ↑ Miller, Andrea (March 2016). "What's Love Got to Do With It?". Lion's Roar Magazine. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  65. ↑ "Performance: Vinessa Shaw, by Michael Ordona, February 12, 2009, Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. 12 February 2009.
  66. ↑ Chinen, Nate (31 January 2013). "Major Jazz Eminence, Little Grise". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 February 2015.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Causton, Richard: The Buddha in Daily Life: An Introduction to the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin. Rider, 1995; ISBN 978-0712674560
  • Dobbelaere, Karel: Soka Gakkai: From Lay Movement to Religion. Signature Books, 2001; ISBN 978-1560851530
  • Seager, Richard: Encountering the Dharma: Daisaku Ikeda, Soka Gakkai, and the Globalization of Buddhist Humanism. University of California Press, 2006; ISBN 978-0520245778
  • Strand, Clark: Waking the Buddha: How the Most Dynamic and Empowering Buddhist Movement in History Is Changing Our Concept of Religion. Middleway Press, 2014; ISBN 978-0977924561
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Soka_Gakkai_International&oldid=1373144111"