Rev 03mar10
East Surrey and Mid-Sussex HQ
and
West Surrey and West Sussex New Era HQ:
2010 - Year of the Total Victory of Soka and the Dynamic Development of Youth
For further information please contact information[at]sgi-sws.org.uk.
SGI DVD - An Introduction to the SGI Sangha and its beliefs and activities.
Biography of 3rd SGI President Daisaku Ikeda: This site offers information and resources concerning the life and achievements of Ikeda Sensei, as well as a selection of his own writings and photographic works.
Biography of 2nd SGI President Josei Toda: This site offers information and resources on the life and achievements of Toda Sensei, as well as a selection of his own writings.
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi: Value-Creating Education, dedicated to the life and work of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871-1944), the founder of the Soka Gakkai movement.
New SGI-UK E-Bulletin: This publication is an addition to the Art of Living with more local news items. The e-bulletin will be published twice monthly.
This month's integrated schedule is brought to you by Jenni, Eve, Henry, Dee, Stephen, Jane from Woking, Jane from North Downs and Juliette, with my thanks -- Rick.
| Mon | Tues | Weds | Thurs | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 Feb Redhill/ReigateGongyo at May-Ellen, 1030 |
2 Western Weald DM at Kanae's, 1930 |
3 Redhill/Reigate Planning at karen’s, 1930 Redhill/Reigate DM at May-Ellen, 1930 Farnham District Planning for March, 1930 @ Nigel & Jenni’s Woking District Members Planning, 1930 at Lyn’s |
4 ThamesWey Planning at Maggie, 1930 Hartfield Road District Planning for all, 1930-2100 at Doug & Isabelle |
5 Western Weald, Study, 1930 Redhill/Reigate Study: "The Object of Devotion" w. Sally R-F |
6 Farnham Chapter Tozo, 1030 every Saturday |
7 Western Weald KR Gongyo at Kanae's, 1030 Redhill/Reigate Kozen Rufu Gongyo at Dave and Rachel’s, 1030 Hartfield Road K.R. Gongyo(1), 1030-1200 at Karen’s Redhill/Reigate KR Gongyo at home, 1030 Eastbourne KR Gongyo and Chapter Study, 1030 at Goward Hall, Heathfield Farnham Kosen Rufu Gongyo, 1030 ThamesWey KR Gongyo at Taplow Court, 1030 Woking Kosen Rufu Gongyo, 1030 at SGI-UK National Centre, Taplow Court Grand Cultural Centre, Taplow, Berkshire, SL6 0ER. Tel: 01628 773163 |
| 8 ThamesWey Daytime Friendship Meeting Lyana at 1330 ThamesWey Monday Morning Daimoku at Larissa, 0930 confirm ahead Farnham District Tozo at (TBA), 1930 Redhill/Reigate Gongyo at May-Ellen, 1030 Gatwick Airport World Peace Prayer Tozo, 1900-2000, South Terminal Multifaith Chapel |
9 Surrey Chapter Study, Gosho: The object of Devotion for Observing the Mind (WND1 p365 "Question: You have not yet… WND1 p366 one's body and mind at a single moment pervade the entire realm of phenomena.") Lecturer: Sally Ryall-Fletcher, Assist: Ali. 1930 @ Friends House, Ward Street, Guildford GU1 4LH Hartfield Road Open chanting 0830-1000 at Juliette’s Eastbourne Basics of Buddhism, at Evey’s, 1930 |
10 |
11 Surrey Chapter Divisional Meetings. MD, Mark B. Joint YWD and YMD at Monica's. WD at Jenni in Farnham Hartfield Road Chapter Study(2) 1930-2100 Forest Row Community Ctre |
12 Redhill/Reigate Chapter Study, 1930, The Woodhatch Centre, Whitebeam Drive, Reigate RH2 7LS Redhill/Reigate, Basics at May-Ellen 1930 |
13 Hartfield Road Chanting together 0900-1100 Juliette’s |
14 |
| 15 Farnham District Tozo, Nigel & Jenni’s, 1930 Redhill/Reigate Gongyo at May-Ellen 1030 ThamesWey Monday Morning Daimoku at Larissa, 0930, confirm ahead |
16 Redhill/Reigate DM at Mark & Lisa, 1930 Western Weald DM at Emma's, 1930 Hartfield Road Open chanting 0830-1000 at Joan’s Hartfield Road Discussion Meeting, 1930-2100, at Emma’s |
17 Farnham Discussion Meeting, 1930, Jenni 7 Nigel. March Topic: The SGI promotes the spirit of youth, what is this spirit? Do you have to be young to have this spirit? Woking District Discussion Meeting, 1930 at Kyoko’s. Topic: How do you remain positive despite negativity, keep momentum face going? Moderator: Mary, Gosho: Nigel |
18 ThamesWey DM, 1930 at Maggie L. Hartfield Road Discussion Meeting, 1930-2100 Juliette’s Eastbourne Discussion Meeting, 1930 at at Paul’s |
19 |
20 Hartfield Road Chanting together 0900-1100 Doug & Isabelle’s ThamesWey HQ Daimoku Tozo, 1030 at Lyana Woking 1030am-1130 District Tozo At Kyoko’s |
21 |
| 22 Hartfield Road MD meeting, 1930-2100 at Tbc Redhill/Reigate Gongyo at May-Ellen, 1030 Redhill/Reigate WD at Louise, 1930 Farnham District Tozo at TBA, 1930 ThamesWey Monday Morning Daimoku at Larissa, 0930, confirm |
23 Surrey Chapter Leaders 7.30 @ Petra’s Hartfield Road Open chanting 0830-1000 Hartfield Road WD meeting 1930-2100 at Joan’s |
24 Farnham Study Basics. March topic: The Gohonzon. 1930 @ Debbie’s Woking Study Basics, 1930 at Poury's. Topic: The Three Secret Laws. |
25 Thames Wey Basics, 1930 at Larissa’s Western Weald MD at Nic's, 1930 Redhill, Reigate MD at Nic, 1930 |
26 |
27 Hartfield Road Chanting Together 0900 at Lucy's. |
28 |
| 29 Redhill/Reigate Gongyo at May-Ellen, 1030 Hartfield Road Basics of Buddhism at Lucy's, 1930. Farnham District Tozo, 1930 at TBA. ThamesWey Mondat Morning Daimoku at Larissa's, confirm ahead. |
30 Hartfield Road Open chanting at Juliette's, 0830 |
31 |
April 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Study
Basics |
SGI President Ikeda’s New Year’s Message for 2010
Creating a Century of Life, a Century of Peace
Happy New Year! I’m delighted to see all of you, my beloved fellow members in 192 countries and territories, filled with fresh vitality and united in a shared desire for world peace, embarking on a new year of positive contribution to your communities and societies. The foundation for worldwide kosen-rufu—the cherished wish of both Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin—has now been solidly secured. This has been achieved through the dedicated efforts of you and all our fellow members throughout the globe—noble Bodhisattvas of the Earth who have fought hard and triumphed over countless obstacles along the way.
The year 2010 is a profoundly significant one, marking many major milestones in our kosen-rufu movement. It is the 110th anniversary of the birth of second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, who sought to eradicate misery from the face of the earth. It is also the 80th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai’s founding and the 35th anniversary of the SGI’s establishment.
The Daishonin writes: “What a joy it is for us to have been born in the Latter Day of the Law and to have shared in the propagation of the Lotus Sutra!” (WND-1, 1026). How fortunate we are to be alive at this auspicious time! With this as a source of even greater joy and inspiration, let us exert ourselves bravely and vigorously and lead unsurpassed lives dedicated to fulfilling the noble vow for kosen-rufu. The Daishonin declares: “Can there be any doubt that . . . the great pure Law of the Lotus Sutra will be spread far and wide throughout Japan and all the other countries of Jambudvipa [the entire world]?” (WND-1, 550). It is the mentors and disciples of Soka who have boldly embarked on this undertaking in the modern day, by venturing forth to share their convictions and beliefs with others through one-on-one dialogue.
Ultimately, worldwide kosen-rufu begins with encouraging the person right in front of us. This is because the fundamental spirit of the Lotus Sutra is to enable each person to awaken to the supreme nobility of their own life, and allow them to freely tap the wisdom and power of their innate Buddhahood.
Among the members I met on my first visit to the United States in October 1960, five decades ago, were numerous Japanese women who had married American men after World War II. The endless challenges and hardships of life in a new land had left many of them so weary and disheartened that they longed to return home. I listened intently to their troubles and encouraged them wholeheartedly: “Don’t envy others or belittle yourself. You have a great mission. From the perspective of Buddhism, you are more noble and important than any queen. Through faith, please bring the brilliant sun of happiness to shine in your heart.” Many of these women responded by challenging themselves earnestly. Realizing the profound mission they had, they stood up resolutely. As the Daishonin writes: “Then two, three, and a hundred followed, chanting and teaching others” (WND-1, 385). These women, Bodhisattvas of the Earth who were joined together by deep karmic ties, became the noble pioneers of worldwide kosen-rufu.
That first overseas trip in 1960 took me to the United States, Canada, and Brazil over a period of 24 days. During that time, 17 districts were formed, along with chapters in Brazil and Los Angeles, as well as a general chapter for North and South America. These events were like tiny pebbles tossed into the vast ocean, and went unnoticed by the world. But the first small ripples they created were the starting point for the countless waves now taking shape as a mighty groundswell for world peace based on Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.
In the half-century that has passed since then, we have built a vast network of rich diversity transcending national and ethnic boundaries and encompassing people from all walks of life. We have done so in the respectful and persevering spirit of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging, engaging in dialogue and offering encouragement to one person after another. The remarkable growth and positive energy of the youth division in particular are a great source of joy and hope for members everywhere. The bright unity of our young women’s division SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai is also beautiful and inspiring to see. Active in every part of the world—Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America, Oceania—the young men and women of the SGI are walking the path of mentor and disciple with confidence and joy.
The Brazilian astronomer Dr. Ronaldo Mourão, with whom I have published a dialogue, remarked that an individual’s innate potential can blossom in a much more vigorous form through the mentor-disciple relationship, and he said that he considered this to be the most correct “orbit” for human beings to travel. The life-to-life bond we share with our mentor in faith and the character building we gain through putting our mentor’s teachings into practice enable us to grow, break out of the narrow confines of our ego, transform our karma, and achieve brilliant victories in our communities and societies. For many decades, through my annual SGI Day peace proposals and in various other forums, I have continuously urged the importance of eliminating nuclear weapons—my mentor’s fervent wish and final injunction. Today, there is a new global momentum for peace, for a world free of nuclear weapons. I believe this is a sign that our planet is beginning to move in the direction of making this a century of life and peace—a goal that the SGI has long worked toward.
There are still many challenges facing humankind, but the key to solving all our problems—whether it be building a secure and lasting peace, protecting our environment, or overcoming economic difficulties—is to cast off apathy and preconceived notions that lead us to view a situation as unsolvable or unavoidable. It is my firm belief that problems caused by human beings can be solved by human beings.
We need to tap and develop the infinite potential within our lives and put it to use for the happiness of humanity. The philosophy of the SGI is a philosophy of hope and courage that makes this possible. It is a philosophy of compassion that offers a way to genuine happiness for all people.
It is important that we foster the youth. While doing our utmost to raise young successors, let us all take on every challenge with a fresh, vibrant, ever-youthful spirit and achieve an expansive, confident life-state of complete fulfillment. My wife and I pray with all our hearts that each of you, our precious fellow members, will be protected by the heavenly deities, enjoy boundless benefit and good fortune, and be safe and secure in the coming year. Our proud mission as members of the SGI is the realization of kosen-rufu and world peace. With that in mind, let’s make each day one of “dynamic development” and “total victory”!
Daisaku Ikeda President, Soka Gakkai International