Excerpts from SGS General Director Goh Kim Hua’s Speech at the SGS Leaders Meeting Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Ikeda Sensei’s Second Visit to Singapore
Today’s (26 August 2025) SGS Leaders Meeting is held to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Ikeda Sensei’s second visit to Singapore. This occasion is especially significant as it coincides with two other historic milestones: the 50th Anniversary of the SGI’s founding and the 65th Anniversary of Sensei’s first overseas visit.
It is our greatest honour to welcome the esteemed leaders of Soka Gakkai and SGI East Asia, led by Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada, on this day of profound significance.
Leaders from Japan are SGI General Director Mr Yoshiki Tanigawa and Soka Gakkai Women’s General Leader Mrs Kimiko Nagaishi. Representing SGI-Taiwan are General Director Mr Lin Chao, Senior Vice General Director Mr Lin Che, and Women Division Chief Ms Wu Chin Jung. Representing SGI-Hong Kong are General Director Mr Ngan Sai Fong and Women Division Chief Ms Wong Kit Mun. Representing SGI-Philippines are General Director Ms Hisako Hori Alcantara, together with Vice General Director and Men Division Chief Mr Ronald Hernandez. Let’s warmly welcome them!
Ikeda Sensei, our eternal mentor, visited Singapore for the second time from November 5 to 10, 1995, following his first visit in 1988. The members of SGS welcomed our beloved mentor with immense joy, having just achieved a decisive victory after nearly five years of intense struggle against devilish functions that sought to obstruct the development of Singapore’s kosen-rufu movement.
During that visit, 159 leaders from 10 Asian countries and regions also gathered, including representatives from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. Together with Ikeda Sensei, all the leader representatives made a fresh resolution, setting forth on a new departure towards the 21st century.
At the Third Asian Culture and Education Conference, Ikeda Sensei shared the following guidance:
“No matter what evil plots we may encounter, there is no greater strategy than the Lotus Sutra. Let us embrace this conviction as we lead our lives with lion-like dignity and composure.”
Guided by this conviction, SGS has battled the three obstacles and four devils with resolute daimoku, led by the unyielding spirit of our Women Division. Time and again, we have prevailed, expanding the Buddha forces and advancing kosen-rufu.
From the beginning of this year until August 22, SGS members collectively chanted a total of 916 million daimoku in commemoration of this significant year. The completed daimoku charts were beautifully folded into nine swans flying in formation, representing the nine regions of Singapore and symbolising the unity that Ikeda Sensei described in his guidance, to welcome our esteemed SGI leaders.
In an essay, Ikeda Sensei writes, “When swans fly long distances, they do so in what is called a V-formation. The air movement created by the wings of the lead swan reduces wind resistance, making it easier for the swans in the formation to fly. When the lead swan tires, one of the other swans takes its place. They help each other out in this way as they fly together. When we help and encourage one another, our strength multiplies. That’s the wonderful thing about teamwork.”
Demonstrating Exemplary Behaviour as Good Citizens
In another guidance during his 1995 trip, Ikeda Sensei encouraged us:
“The SGI’s fundamental focus is that its members enjoy wonderful lives as responsible and respected citizens of their localities, of their nation and of our planet. The SGI’s objective is for each person to become a victor in life and shine with happiness. Nothing gives me more joy than seeing members happy and gaining benefit from their practice of faith.
Therefore, please continue to advance with harmony as your guideline – first, second, and third. Please also value and cherish your families, your friends, and your society as you live with boundless hope.”
Treasuring these words of our mentor, SGS has striven to embody them in action by advancing in harmony, demonstrating exemplary behaviour as good citizens, and fostering unity that resonates with the spirit of our mentor.
Just two weeks ago, on August 9, SGS performed victoriously in the Singapore National Day Parade (NDP). This year marks our 40th year of participation in this most important national event, which also celebrated Singapore’s 60th birthday. This milestone is a testament to the trust that SGS has earned from society.
Our NDP participants scored victories of human revolution and achieved breakthroughs in their lives. Most significantly, 20% of the new friends who joined the NDP have since embraced the practice of faith, after journeying with us over the past four months.
Towards 2030 — Fostering Youth into Courageous Champions
Looking ahead to 2030, SGS is determined to foster youth into courageous champions, each with the strength of a thousand. We will continue to create diverse and flexible opportunities for young people to inspire one another, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Through these efforts, we are resolved to build a youthful organisation where young people can blossom freely and joyfully, with a strong sense of mission in life.
Together with our comrades around the world, and striving in the spirit of many in body, one in mind, we vow to carry on our eternal mentor Ikeda Sensei’s legacy of kosen-rufu, ensuring that it shines into the eternal future, thereby fulfilling Nichiren Daishonin’s will and decree – protecting the correct teaching of Buddhism, promoting kosen-rufu, working to realise a peaceful society, and transforming the destiny of humankind.
