“Although it was not an official visit, I set foot on the Lion City – Singapore’s soil for the first time on January 29, 1961. It was during a stopover on my way to India, a journey embarked on with the determination to realise the westward transmission of Buddhism that was predicted by Nichiren Daishonin and was also the dearest wish of my mentor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda.
Darkness began to fall over the airport as we landed for refueling. Waiting inside the airport, I gazed up at the stars in the sky, visible through the windows. They were beautiful. But when I recalled Singapore’s painful history, its invasion by Japan, the countless innocent people who were killed, and the cruel suffering that had been inflicted on so many, my heart ached as if it were being ripped apart.
I decided right then and there that, I would devote my life to bringing peace and happiness to the people of Singapore. I prayed, deeply and strongly, ‘Emerge, Bodhisattvas of the Earth! Assemble, my comrades of profound mission!’— so that a new glorious dawn might be ushered in for Singapore.”
(From SGI President Ikeda’s essay, “Singapore–A Citadel of Global Citizens”)
About SGS
1960s-70s: Our Humble Beginnings
Formation of First District in Singapore
In August 1963, the first district was formed in Singapore. On June 24, 1967, Mr Koh Kian Boon — who later went on to become the first General Director of the Soka Gakkai Singapore (SGS) — was appointed district chief. As such, 1967 was adopted as the year to mark the beginning of Singapore’s kosen-rufu movement.
Establishment of Singapore Chapter
In August 1969, Singapore Chapter was established. In January 1972, SGS was incorporated.
Establishment of First Soka Activity Centre
First Soka activity centre -- Geylang Soka Centre was established in August 1975, through a kind donation by President Ikeda.
1980s: Development and Community Participation
The period 1980 to 1990 was a period of increasing involvement in cultural and community programmes.
Cherishing the Buddhist principle that faith finds expression in daily lives and in society, members joyfully contributed their time and efforts for the betterment of society. SGS’s participation in the National Day Parades and Chingay Parades also began during this period.
Debut Performances in Chingay Parade and National Day Parade.
Establishment of Second Activity Centre
The second activity centre Telok Blangah Soka Centre established in 1984. This centre was refurbished in 2014 and is now the Soka Peace Centre.
Establishment of Third Activity Centre
The third activity centre — Pasir Panjang Soka Centre established in 1987.
First Visit by SGI President Ikeda to Singapore
President Ikeda visited Singapore for the first time from February 8 - 11, 1988.
1990s:
Fostering Capable Leaders and Collaboration
in Social and Community Programmes
With the change of name from “Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association” to “Singapore Soka Association” in 1992, the Association made a deeper commitment to contribute to social development through community, cultural and educational services based on the humanistic principles of Nichiren Buddhism.
Opening of SGS Headquarters
Opening of SGS Headquarters at Tampines Street 81, officiated by the then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on January 1, 1993.
Opening of Soka Kindergarten
Soka Kindergarten officially opened at Pasir Panjang on January 17, 1993. It was later relocated to Tampines Street 92 in 1998.
Appointment of SGS Second General Director
On November 18, 1993, present Senior Advisor Mr Ong Bon Chai succeeded the late General Director Mr Koh Kian Boon as SGS second General Director.
Second Visit by SGI President Ikeda to Singapore
SGI President Ikeda made his second visit to Singapore from November 5 - 10, 1995.
Establishment of Fifth Activity Centre
On March 30, 1997, the fifth activity centre at Tampines Street 92 (present Soka Kindergarten) opened together with the establishment of An-Le Temple.
Establishment of Sixth Activity Centre
On February 8, 1998, the sixth activity centre and a new temple hall for An-Le Temple opened. Relocation of Soka Kindergarten to Tampines Street 92.
Establishment of Seventh Activity Centre
On August 30, 1998, the seventh activity centre (Soka Culture Centre) at Jurong opened and purpose-built for arts and cultural events.
2000s: Onwards into the New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu
Third Visit by SGI President Ikeda to Singapore
SGI President Ikeda visited Singapore for the third time from November 22 to 27, 2000.
Establishment of Eighth Activity Centre
On October 2002, the eighth activity centre (Senja Soka Centre) was opened, as the first activity centre established in the northern region. It is also the first SGS centre to house a columbarium.
Singapore Youth Award
On June 25, 2005, the SGS Youth Division was conferred the Singapore Youth Award 2005 for Community and Youth Services (Team category) by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana.
Official Naming of "Dendrobium Kaneko Ikeda" Orchid
On February 27, 2007, an enchanting new orchid hybrid of exquisite grandeur and elegance was named in honour of Mrs Kaneko Ikeda, Honorary Women Leader of Soka Gakkai International, in recognition of her commitment and selfless contribution to the movement of building lasting global peace, on the occasion of her 75th birthday. This lovely orchid with light pink petals was officially named “Dendrobium Kaneko Ikeda” (DKI). An Orchid Naming Ceremony was held at the Burkill Hall in the National Orchid Garden. Three series of commemorative stamps featuring the DKI have since been launched.
Visit by then Singapore President S R Nathan
On June 26, 2007, then Singapore President S R Nathan visited the SGS Headquarters during which a plaque for the Friendship Hall was unveiled. His visit was a gesture of appreciation to SGS for the years of contribution to the annual National Day Parade performance since 1981.
Appointment of SGS Third General Director
On December 10, 2011, SGS embarked on a new departure under the leadership of newly appointed SGS General Director Tay Eng Kiat as SGS third General Director at the SGS General Meeting Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Asia Kosen-rufu.
Opening of Soka Peace Centre
On March 23, 2014, the Soka Peace Centre opened. It houses the Mentor Memorial Hall and the Kaneko Orchid Garden.
Celebrating Our Golden Jubilee
On June 10, 2017, in celebration of SGS’ 50th anniversary, SGS held the Community Partners Appreciation Night at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. The Guest-of-Honour was Mr Heng Swee Keat, then Minister for Finance and Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC.
Lotus Sutra Exhibition
One of the key events for SGS Golden Jubilee was the holding of the “The Lotus Sutra – A Message of Peace and Harmonious Coexistence” Exhibition from 1- 25 October. The exhibition was held at the Arts House and was opened by Guest-of-honour Mr Baey Yam Keng, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. The exhibition was jointly organized by The Institute of Oriental Philosophy (Japan), Dunhuang Academy (China) and SGS, and supported by The Institute of Oriental Manuscripts of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and International Academy of Indian Culture. Singapore was the 16th country to host the exhibition.
Enhancement to Constitution
As SGS commemorates her 50th anniversary as a Buddhist organization in 2017, SSA deems it timely to make further enhancements to their Constitution to entrench their faith in Nichiren Buddhism so as not to forget their spiritual ballast and values.
Change of name to "Soka Gakkai Singapore"
As we embark on this first year in the last decade towards Soka Gakkai centennial in 2030, Singapore Soka Association (SSA) has renamed ourselves to Soka Gakkai Singapore (SGS) with effect from November 18, 2021. Our Chinese name 新加坡创价学会 remains unchanged. This name change is also symbolic of our impending 50th year of registration with the Registries of Societies since 1972 and SGS remains committed as a Buddhist organisation established to promote the understanding and practice of Nichiren Buddhism in Singapore.
Establishment of Ninth Activity Centre
On November 2022, the ninth activity centre (Punggol Soka Centre) was opened in the north-eastern part of Singapore.
Soka Preschool Expands its Operations
From January 2023, Soka Preschool expands its operations to include childcare services. The preschool curriculum takes in students from 4 to 6 years old i.e. Nursery (N2) to Kindergarten (K1 & K2), with school hours from 7am to 7pm for full day sessions.
Appointment of SGS Fourth General Director
At the ‘1.26 Leaders Commemorative Meeting – SGS New Departure’ held on 27 January 2024, SGI Director Dr Akash Keiji Ouchi, on behalf of SGI General Director Mr Yoshitaka Oba, announced the following new national leadership appointments that were approved by Ikeda Sensei in October 2023, signalling a new chapter of SGS’s kosen-rufu: General Director: Goh Kim Hua Honorary; General Director: Tay Eng Kiat; Senior Advisor: Ong Bon Chai.
