Editorial

The invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo on April 28, 1253, is one defining moment of Nichiren Daishonin’s life, dedicated to bringing happiness to humanity by eradicating sufferings and bringing peace to the land.

To lead a life that is rewarding and contributive, we ought to have goals and targets no matter at what stage of life we are in. This is even more so since we are practising Nichiren Buddhism, having the mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, and as Ikeda Sensei’s disciples.

It is with the deepest humility and sense of responsibility that I accept the mission as General Director in this new departure of Soka Gakkai Singapore.

General Director’s New Year’s Message 2024 Happy New Year! Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we have been able to complete 2023 — the Year of Youth

This November marks the 10th anniversary of the completion of the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu. Our heartiest congratulations to all!

In the “Introduction” to The New Human Revolution, we have this passage, “The New Human Revolution opens on October 2, 1960, the day that Shinichi Yamamoto (whose character represents Ikeda Sensei in the novel), having succeeded Josei Toda as the third president, embarks on a historic journey for peace that will take him to three nations — the United States, Canada and Brazil.”

Our heartiest congratulations to the Women Division for your marvellous performance at the recent National Day Parade (NDP)!

This is SGS’s 38th year of participation at NDP and I wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the SGS NDP Committee, participants and all involved, for your dedication during trainings and preparation the past few months.

July 3 is Mentor and Disciple Day, an eternal reminder of the selfless dedication of the three founding presidents of the Soka Gakkai. Through their life and death struggles, they built the Soka Gakkai, an organisation that has boldly appeared in this troubled age with a vow to fulfil its noble mission in accord with the Buddha’s will and decree for kosen-rufu.

May is a significant month in the annals of the Soka Gakkai. It has been 63 years since Ikeda Sensei took on the leadership of Soka Gakkai as the third president. Since then, he has never known a moment’s rest, expanding the network of Nichiren Buddhism to 192 countries and territories, living out the path of mentor and disciple.

Each May brings us great joy and boundless hope for the future. Each May 3 is a day for us to renew our determination to be courageous, to remain strong and undefeated in the advancement of kosen-rufu — the attainment of peace and happiness in this world — no matter how difficult the situations are.

Three years ago, in April 2020, I wrote in the Editorial as follows: “With the World Health Organisation declaring Covid-19 as a global pandemic, we have reviewed our activities to ensure everyone’s well-being and fulfil our social responsibility to minimise any possible chances of infection. …

Just recently in February, the Government has announced that Singapore has adjusted its Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) from Yellow to Green. This is such great news for all of us after a three-year battle with the Covid-19 pandemic.