The theme for the 2007 WD Commemorative Meeting is, “Today, Again, Never Be Defeated”, as announced via SGI-USA memo from Linda Johnson and Barbara Snyder dated 5 Jan 2007.
For the full text of the memo click here.
The memo reads, in part:
“The basic requirement for happiness,” according to SGI President Ikeda, “is the determination not to be defeated, the ability to stand up and fight, no matter what the difficulties or odds.” (New Human Revolution,Vol. 6, p. 246.) He explains when one establishes the state of life in which one is never defeated by trials or suffering, just being alive is a source of the greatest joy. To engrave this lesson in our lives, in 2007 our women’s theme will be:
Today, Again, Never Be Defeated
The crux of “never being defeated” lies in developing an unbreakable spiritual connection to our mentor, President Ikeda. Our mentor provides the standard by which we should challenge ourselves to live every day. We should attempt to orient our lives to his rhythm, to focus on what he is emphasizing at this moment.
We must capture his heart and spirit and then actualize it in our daily actions. President Ikeda explains: “As leaders, it is essential that we cultivate the strength never to be defeated by anything. The starting point for this is the mentor-disciple spirit. Everything hinges on us challenging our own reformation each day so that we grow more today than yesterday and more tomorrow than today.
We, as leaders, must elevate our own life-condition.” (World Tribune, November 17, 2006, Insert p. IV.) This applies, not just to leaders, but to every Myoho Sister in the United States. The challenge is to continually do our own human revolution so that we can prove to others the power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo through the example of our own lives. This commemorative meeting is an opportunity for us to share Nichiren Buddhism with others while
simultaneously deepening every member’s conviction in the power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This may be the only chance a guest has to hear about Buddhism. This may also be the meeting that gives people the courage to make a change in their lives. With Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we can transform our lives, we can develop a life condition that is indestructible, and we can become absolutely happy. Every human being desires these things. Therefore, let’s plan a commemorative meeting where every guest
wants to join, every returning member wants to begin practicing again, and every member leaves with a deeper conviction in the power of faith and a deeper understanding of the significance of the mentor/disciple relationship.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Soka Spirit News
During a discussion after the Soka Spirit toso recently, we learned that a member of a nearby district left SGI for the temple. Sad news indeed. We’ll add this person to our prayers. In addition, it seems that the temple’s shakubuku campaign is not going well. The local (DC) priest has said that if the goal of 40 shakubuku is not met by July he will resign. This follows an announcement that the head temple will no longer provide financial support to outlying temples. The temple will have to increase its membership dramatically to meet financial obligations.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Future Perspective Wrapup
“In any event, Nichiren Daishonin states, ‘If Nichiren’s mercy is truly great, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread for ten thousand years and more, for all eternity. His blessings will dispel the blindness of all mankind and block the path to the hell of incessant suffering.’ We must act precisely according to this spirit of the True Buddha, without the slightest deviation. That is the essence of kosen-rufu and the basis of everything. The question is how, on this basis, we should secure the peace of the country and the world.”
After the election, members paid close attention to news reports of election results. The news was good for Kansai, not so good for Tokyo.
On his flight back to Tokyo, Shinichi Yamamoto reflected on the campaign and the future growth of the Soka Gakkai. President Toda, too, pondored the election. Although Kansai had won a great victory, he was deeply concerned about the loss in Tokyo. He began to think about reorganization to meet the needs of the rapidly growing membership.
President Toda and Shinichi Yamamoto shared a vision for the future of the Soka Gakkai. They were concerned that the general public would view the Gakkai as a politically motivated organization. Nothing could be further from the truth! It is faith that matters.
In the future, the Soka Gakkai could spread into all fields of society. It would undoubtedly become the crown of the religious world.
The Soka Gakkai’s election success astounded the general public. Media people sought interview with President Toda, seemingly to gather information they could use to discredit the Soka Gakkai.
President Toda, stressed out over the despair of members whose candidates had lost, saw to it that all the chapters had leaders meetings in order to inspire the dejected members. He also prepared for the appointment of a large number of new leaders.
The inauguration of sixteen new chapters was held on August 26th at the International Stadium in Ryogoko, Tokyo. At the monthly leaders meeting a few days later, President Toda elaborated on the spirit of the decision to promote unit discussion meetings as the main force for kosenrufu.
After the meeting, President Toda was content that he had confronted a weakening of the Gakkai spirit and had prevented a buildup of a bureaucracy that would push the organization into mere formality.
After the election, members paid close attention to news reports of election results. The news was good for Kansai, not so good for Tokyo.
On his flight back to Tokyo, Shinichi Yamamoto reflected on the campaign and the future growth of the Soka Gakkai. President Toda, too, pondored the election. Although Kansai had won a great victory, he was deeply concerned about the loss in Tokyo. He began to think about reorganization to meet the needs of the rapidly growing membership.
President Toda and Shinichi Yamamoto shared a vision for the future of the Soka Gakkai. They were concerned that the general public would view the Gakkai as a politically motivated organization. Nothing could be further from the truth! It is faith that matters.
In the future, the Soka Gakkai could spread into all fields of society. It would undoubtedly become the crown of the religious world.
The Soka Gakkai’s election success astounded the general public. Media people sought interview with President Toda, seemingly to gather information they could use to discredit the Soka Gakkai.
President Toda, stressed out over the despair of members whose candidates had lost, saw to it that all the chapters had leaders meetings in order to inspire the dejected members. He also prepared for the appointment of a large number of new leaders.
The inauguration of sixteen new chapters was held on August 26th at the International Stadium in Ryogoko, Tokyo. At the monthly leaders meeting a few days later, President Toda elaborated on the spirit of the decision to promote unit discussion meetings as the main force for kosenrufu.
After the meeting, President Toda was content that he had confronted a weakening of the Gakkai spirit and had prevented a buildup of a bureaucracy that would push the organization into mere formality.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Washington DC Region Soka Spirit Kickoff
The Soka Spirit Kickoff meeting was held at the DC Community Center on 14 January 2007.
These goals were announced at the 14 January kickoff meeting by Region Leader Kathy Ruby:
1. 25 disassotiations 2. Close the Myosenji temple 3. Increase the Soka Spirit toso sponsors to 100.
Zone Leader Penny Parker presented a report which focused on the planned temple efforts for the coming year. It was announced late last year that the head temple would no longer support local temples so the temple must raise the necessary funds. The only way to do this is to gain new members and aggressively promote donations. A super tozan will be held during next year. It was also reported that Nikken, although retired as high priest, is keeping close tabs on temple activities.
Michael Aiken spoke of the Joy of Soka Spirit quoting from the goshos 'Reply to Sairenbo' and 'Happiness in this World'.
My patience wore out during the Myth Busters 'game' an hour and forty-five minutes into the meeting with no end in sight.
These goals were announced at the 14 January kickoff meeting by Region Leader Kathy Ruby:
1. 25 disassotiations 2. Close the Myosenji temple 3. Increase the Soka Spirit toso sponsors to 100.
Zone Leader Penny Parker presented a report which focused on the planned temple efforts for the coming year. It was announced late last year that the head temple would no longer support local temples so the temple must raise the necessary funds. The only way to do this is to gain new members and aggressively promote donations. A super tozan will be held during next year. It was also reported that Nikken, although retired as high priest, is keeping close tabs on temple activities.
Michael Aiken spoke of the Joy of Soka Spirit quoting from the goshos 'Reply to Sairenbo' and 'Happiness in this World'.
My patience wore out during the Myth Busters 'game' an hour and forty-five minutes into the meeting with no end in sight.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
New Perspective
New Perspective (96-98, 1491-1494)
“Toda wanted the members to acquire the spirit of the Soka Gakkai which had been inherited from its early days. This aim, he was certain, could be fulfilled by earnestly holding unit discussion meetings, no matter how small, in every nook and cranny of the organization. He wanted then to realize that the true path to human revolution and kosen-rufu lay in Buddhist practice conducted in inconspicuous places. He wanted to warn them against believing that only brilliant activities would lead to kosen-rufu. He wanted each and every one of the members to rise and further strengthen their faith. It was for these reasons that he had spoken with unusual force and passion to the leaders assembled that evening.”
The inauguration of the sixteen new chapters was held on August 26 at the International Stadium in Ryogoko, Tokyo. A number of headquarters staff appointments were made as well. Leaders throughout the country realized that a new era had arrived.
At the inauguration ceremony, President Toda spoke about the vicious slander that was being heaped upon the Soka Gakkai after the recent election cast it into national prominence. He went on to say, “Scientists as well as statesmen are racking their brains as to how to bring peace to the world. However, neither politics nor science alone can bring about true happiness. They must both be based on the true religion which squarely tackles and solves the fundamental question of birth, old age, sickness and death – sufferings which no human can avoid. A great power wells forth from within our life – this can only be obtained through faith in the teaching of Nichiren Shoshu.”
The monthly leaders meeting was held on August 31st. The number of households converted was only slightly higher than the previous month. The shock and exhaustion of the election campaign apparently still lingered in the members hearts.
The meeting began with General Director Konishi speaking about donations for the construction of a Grand Lecture Hall at the Head Temple – one of the three principle goals for 1956.
Josei Toda elaborated on the spirit of the decision to promote unit discussion meetings as the main force for kosen-rufu. After the meeting, he was content that he had completed all the necessary preparations. He had confronted a weakening of the Soka Gakkai spirit. He had prevented a buildup of the bureaucracy that would push the organization into mere formality. He would persist in this challenge.
“Toda wanted the members to acquire the spirit of the Soka Gakkai which had been inherited from its early days. This aim, he was certain, could be fulfilled by earnestly holding unit discussion meetings, no matter how small, in every nook and cranny of the organization. He wanted then to realize that the true path to human revolution and kosen-rufu lay in Buddhist practice conducted in inconspicuous places. He wanted to warn them against believing that only brilliant activities would lead to kosen-rufu. He wanted each and every one of the members to rise and further strengthen their faith. It was for these reasons that he had spoken with unusual force and passion to the leaders assembled that evening.”
The inauguration of the sixteen new chapters was held on August 26 at the International Stadium in Ryogoko, Tokyo. A number of headquarters staff appointments were made as well. Leaders throughout the country realized that a new era had arrived.
At the inauguration ceremony, President Toda spoke about the vicious slander that was being heaped upon the Soka Gakkai after the recent election cast it into national prominence. He went on to say, “Scientists as well as statesmen are racking their brains as to how to bring peace to the world. However, neither politics nor science alone can bring about true happiness. They must both be based on the true religion which squarely tackles and solves the fundamental question of birth, old age, sickness and death – sufferings which no human can avoid. A great power wells forth from within our life – this can only be obtained through faith in the teaching of Nichiren Shoshu.”
The monthly leaders meeting was held on August 31st. The number of households converted was only slightly higher than the previous month. The shock and exhaustion of the election campaign apparently still lingered in the members hearts.
The meeting began with General Director Konishi speaking about donations for the construction of a Grand Lecture Hall at the Head Temple – one of the three principle goals for 1956.
Josei Toda elaborated on the spirit of the decision to promote unit discussion meetings as the main force for kosen-rufu. After the meeting, he was content that he had completed all the necessary preparations. He had confronted a weakening of the Soka Gakkai spirit. He had prevented a buildup of the bureaucracy that would push the organization into mere formality. He would persist in this challenge.