Intro To Soka Gakkai International - Pt 1

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In 1975, in response to the needs of an increasing international membership, the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) was founded. Today SGI is a worldwide network of more than 12 million members in 190 countries and territories sharing a common vision for a better world. The roots of its institutional history are found in the development of the Soka Gakkai (Society for the Creation of Value) in Japan. The Soka Gakkai's seventy-year history is one of dramatic growth and challenge and one that was built by its successive presidents together with the people who were motivated by their spirit and dedication. It was conceived in 1930 as the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai [1], a small society of educators. Its founders, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871-1944) and his protege Josei Toda (1900-1958), were inspired by Nichiren Buddhism and dedicated to educational reform. In a two-volume work published in 1930-31, Makiguchi set down the framework and principles of Soka education. He emphasized developing the learner's capacity for critical thinking over rote learning, and self-motivation over blind obedience. It was revolutionary thinking for the Japanese education system at that time. For the state, on the other hand, education like religion was a tool to deify the emperor as a living god and mobilize the nation for war. At meetings of the society, Makiguchi and Toda openly discussed the state's manipulation of religion. They warned of the disastrous turn towards war. In 1943, the state arrested members of the Society and imprisoned Makiguchi and Toda as "thought criminals." Makiguchi died there, to the end holding fast to his principles and beliefs. Amidst the ashes and chaos of postwar Japan, Toda was released finally and the Soka Gakkai [2] was reborn. Toda expanded the organization's range of vision from education to the betterment of society as a whole. He promoted the practice of Buddhism as an accessible means of rebuilding lives and overcoming obstacles to happiness. Toda passed away in 1958 and Daisaku Ikeda became president of the Soka Gakkai in 1960 at the age of 32. Under his leadership, the organization continued to grow and broaden its focus to embrace activities in the fields of peace, culture and education. At the same time, the membership outside of Japan is growing. To serve the needs of the international membership and to expand its commitment to the welfare of humanity on a global scale, the SGI was founded in 1975. Today, members of the SGI strive to contribute to their respective societies as responsible citizens cherishing the global vision of a peaceful world. Footnotes: 1. Soka Kyoiku Gakkai literally stands for Society for Value-creating Education. 2. Josei Toda changed the name to Soka Gakkai after WWII

Channel: People & Blogs
Uploaded: December 9, 2006 at 12:52 pm
Author: Butalmapu

Length: 0:06:35
Rating: 3.82
Views: 43,603

Tags: Buddhism Nichiren Daishonin Soka Gakkai International Tsunesaburo Makiguchi Josei Toda Daisaku Ikeda World Peace

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Video Comments:
uptonleft3 (Monday 17th of November 2008 04:20:51 AM)
We only have one life. It's this one. Use it well and be friendly.
elementindustrial (Friday 17th of October 2008 12:01:51 AM)
Nam Ikeda Butsu SGI is a joke.
icemaneu (Friday 10th of October 2008 10:27:58 PM)
SGI is great! The world is so much a better with the SGI promoting world peace! If not for the SGI, Nichiren Buddhism and the real meaning of Buddhism from Shakyamuni will be lost in the dogma of the Temple and Priesthood.
Alderlyn74 (Sunday 12th of October 2008 03:50:22 PM)
this is the problem: "promoting". Every organisations want to show the best image of themselves (externally). When you work inside then you realize the truth. And by the way, it's a little bit easy to promote world peace... because everybody is looking for it. I've never heard about SGI working in resolving conflicts in the Middle East, Yvory Coast, Afganistan or North Korea... They just hide behind speeches and books and what is criminal is using the goodwill of people
icemaneu (Sunday 12th of October 2008 07:28:52 PM)
and you hide behind your computer to promote peace? LOL!...
ugoprossimo (Sunday 12th of October 2008 11:37:51 PM)
is that all? I suggest you to make experience of buddhism out SGI also... if you know SGI doctrine only, you can only talk about SGI doctrine. Buddhism is elsewhere. Temple and Priesthood? Dogma? Do you know temples, have you ever known priests? Which dogma, boy?
Alderlyn74 (Wednesday 15th of October 2008 01:29:19 PM)
Yes, ugoprossimo is right... do you know other buddhist? answer me! How can you have any reference of buddhism, if you don't know other way. By the way... Has your wonderful SGI organisation done any speech or gesture for the health of Dalai Lama? I remind you that he got a nobel prize for peace.
ugoprossimo (Saturday 18th of October 2008 12:01:57 PM)
icemanu: knowledge and experience are not a loss of time: try to look at SGI (and at your belief) from different points of view, then you shall come back to it stronger... or not. Who knows!?... Are you afraid of your mind?
Alderlyn74 (Wednesday 1st of October 2008 03:10:21 PM)
SGI=SECT
Matsumuratakashi (Saturday 15th of November 2008 07:59:22 AM)
You right! They acting nice in the world. But in Japan...They just bigger than Aum Shinrikyo(which famouse subway poison gus.) They try to make alot of money. They think they are Buddist. but They don't suport Dalai Lama.They let China invade Tibet!! Ikeda steel Dalai Lama's way. SGI have policical party and I can say they are like Budist Mafia like KKK.If you are not belongs to SGI. They are going to cursing and fussing you any kinda way...They don't think every religion as cool.