A momentous history of Singapore kosen-rufu took place on December 10th with an assembly of 1,000 representatives to determine a new departure towards a youthful SGI organisation under the leadership of newly appointed SSA General Director Tay Eng Kiat.
The meeting also warmly applauded the appointment of SSA Honorary General Director Ong Bon Chai, honoring him for his 18 years of dedication as central figure, spearheading the great growth of SSA and working for the members’ growth and happiness, in close tandem with the guidance of SGI President Ikeda.
In his message to SGS’s new departure General Meeting, SGI President Ikeda dedicated the following eternal guidelines of growth and development to the four divisions. To the Men Division and the Young Men Division of Singapore, President Ikeda dedicated the following guidelines:
- Be leaders who are filled with conviction.
- Be leaders who bring joy and peace of mind to people, wiping away pains and suffering, at the first encounter.
- Be leaders who build harmonious unity of itai doshin (many in body, one in mind) that is infused with brilliant faith.
- Be leaders who wage a great struggle where every individual can strive with joy and create a history of victory in life through faith.
To the Women Division and the Young Women Division of Singapore, President Ikeda dedicated the following guidelines:
- Be Women Division and Young Women Division who are always bright and in high spirits.
- Be Women Division and Young Women Division who are always wise and cheerful.
- Be Women Division and Young Women Division who are always on good terms and in harmony.
- Be Women Division and Young Women Division who are magnificent suns of happiness.
President Ikeda further expressed his great hope for the eternal advancement of SSA to be an indestructible stronghold of happiness for all members, a citadel of peace for Singapore, and a model for worldwide kosen-rufu. He said: “The advancement of SSA is equivalent to the advancement of worldwide kosen-rufu. The victory of SSA is the driving force for the eternal perpetuation of the Law. The happiness and victory of fellow members of SSA are the symbol of hope, as it embodies the principle that the human revolution of one person is the advancement of kosen-rufu.”
In his speech, newly appointed SSA General Director Tay Eng Kiat expressed his determination to create a fresh page of history for Singapore kosen-rufu, and build a dynamic SSA that is directly connected to the heart of mentor, President Ikeda. He also extended gratitude and appreciation to founders of SSA, and pioneer members who built the organization 40 years ago, overcoming hardships and obstacles.
Honorary General Director Ong Bon Chai, in his speech, urged everyone to resolve to work even harder than ever before, as he accepts this new mission in SSA, and to give full support to the new General Director, saying that “eternalising the spirit of mentor and disciple, and maintaining itai doshin of harmonious unity, is central to our practice of faith for kosen-rufu.”
In appreciation of his years of contribution as the leader of Singapore kosen-rufu, the Soka Gakkai International honoured Mr Ong with the SGI Peace and Culture Award.
Representing SGI President Ikeda at this significant and joyous new departure of SSA were SGI General Director Yoshitaka Oba, SGI Women Leader Kayoko Asano, and Vice SGI Asia Women Leader Yumiko Kasanuki.
Mr Oba encouraged all leaders to endeavour the path of dialogue in uniting hearts and minds, and in inspiring courage and transmitting the mentor-disciple spirit. This is a path that is personally championed by SGI President Ikeda. He hoped that SSA will endeavour this path of unity and dialogue in striving to be the model for worldwide kosen-rufu.
(Please refer to SSA Times issue 429 for more details)
