I am truly proud of the 608 performers, supported by a total of 107 trainers, administration and logistics teams of SGS, for putting on an inspiring performance just a week ago on August 9, Singapore’s 60th birthday. This year marks SGS’s 40th participation in the National Day Parade, the most important celebration of our nation.
In Act Two: Our Future, Our Aspirations, the participants performed four formations, telling a story of how individual hopes and dreams shape a shared future. This corresponds to the Buddhist teaching that focuses on the importance of the present and the future while we treasure and learn from the past.
We are deeply grateful for the trust from the NDP organising committee and for the wonderful support rendered to us by the show support team throughout our journey since March.
On August 21, 1993, the SGS Future Division (FD) was formally established. This became an important platform for the growth and development of our young successors of Soka.
Ikeda Sensei treasured the FD members with all his heart. He placed great emphasis on nurturing all our young, precious members. He wrote in an essay dedicated to the FD:
With the proud mission of successors,
my young friends,
make your way again today with hearts of lions.
Ikeda Sensei continues, The life of every single FD member is infinitely precious and noble, equal in worth to the entire universe. Each one is a reservoir of wondrous creative wisdom and diverse talent. There is no child who does not have a special mission.
The FD members are the protagonists of the future. They will be the ones who shape the future of humanity. Thus, we must foster them to become capable people for our society and country.
Just as Ikeda Sensei writes: “My mentor Josei Toda declared: We must foster fine young people who can contribute to the welfare of society, their country, and all humankind. That is the Soka Gakkai’s purpose.”
The Buddhist writings relate the story of the boy Virtue Victorious who sincerely made an offering of a mud pie to Shakyamuni. As a result of the benefit gained from that virtuous act, he was reborn as King Ashoka, who left his mark in history as a great leader of peace.
On behalf of SGS, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the FD in-charges and the FD Aunties. Selflessly, they put in their heart and soul to foster our Young Phoenixes, inspiring them to have big dreams, unleash their potential, and live their lives to the fullest beyond themselves and contribute to society.
Let us all in the Soka family pay special care and concern to our precious FD members, creating the most conducive environment for them to come forward, joyfully participate in our activities, and grow in the garden of Soka.
We will be holding SGS Family Day on September 7 to celebrate SG60 and the SGI 50th Anniversary with the theme “Nurturing Connections, Building Communities”. It has been 10 years since it was last held in 2015.
We look forward to all our members coming with their family and friends. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect, enjoy various activities, and deepen our bond and the spirit of the Soka family. We are also extending an invitation to the communities around us to join us so that we can promote understanding and cohesiveness.
