Soka Gakkai International

80 Years of History - Commemorative Pamphlet

The Soka Gakkai International (SGI) is a worldwide network of lay Buddhists dedicated to a common vision of a better world through the empowerment of the individual and the promotion of peace, culture and education. It currently consists of 84 constituent organizations and has 12 million members in 192 countries and territories worldwide. The SGI was founded on January 26, 1975, but the movement has its roots in 1930s Japan and the struggle against the thought-control of the Japanese militarist government of the time. The Buddhism practiced by SGI members is based on the teachings of the 13th-century Japanese priest Nichiren and his interpretation of the Lotus Sutra.

Educational Reform (1930 - 1935)

Soka Gakkai founded

The Soka Gakkai (literally, "Society for the Creation of Value") began in 1930 as a study group of reformist educators. Its founder Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871-1944) was an author and educator, inspired by Nichiren Buddhism and passionately dedicated to the reform of the Japanese educational system. His theory of value-creating education, which he published in book form in 1930, is centered on a belief in the unlimited potential of every individual and regards education as the lifelong pursuit of self-awareness, wisdom and development.

The publication of the first volume of Makiguchi'sSoka kyoikugaku taikei (The Theory of Value-Creating Pedagogy) on November 18, 1930, marked the establishment of the Soka Gakkai.

Makiguchi (left) and his pupils

Opposition to Military Government (1935 - 1945)

Social reform

Makiguchi's emphasis on independent thinking over rote learning and self-motivation over blind obedience directly challenged the Japanese authorities of the time, who saw the role of education as molding docile servants of the state. Makiguchi and his closest associate Josei Toda(1900-58) began to develop the Soka Gakkai from its origin as a group of educators dedicated to educational reform into an organization with a broader membership focusing on the propagation of Buddhism as a means to reform society.

Fighting government oppression

The 1930s saw the rise of militaristic nationalism in Japan, culminating in its entry into World War II. The militarist government imposed the State Shinto ideology on the population as a means of glorifying its war of aggression, and cracked down on all forms of dissidence. The refusal of Makiguchi and Toda to compromise their beliefs and lend support to the regime led to their arrest and imprisonment in 1943 as "thought criminals."

Death of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi

Despite attempts to persuade him from his principles, Makiguchi held fast to his convictions and died in prison in 1944.

Toda lecturing on the writings of Nichiren, 1954

Postwar Reconstruction (1945 - 1958)

Active, socially engaged Buddhism

Josei Toda survived the ordeal and was released from prison a few weeks before the war ended. While in prison, Toda had studied the Lotus Sutraand chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo intensely, reaching the revolutionary insight that "the Buddha" is life itself; he came to a deep conviction that it was his mission to spread the message of the Lotus Sutra as widely as possible, and resolved to dedicate the remainder of his life to this endeavor. He set out to rebuild the Soka Gakkai amidst the confusion of postwar Japan, expanding its mission from the field of education to the betterment of society as a whole. He promoted an active, socially engaged form of Buddhism as a means of self-empowerment--a way to overcome obstacles in life and tap inner hope, confidence, courage and wisdom.

He used the term "Human Revolution" to express the central idea of Nichiren Buddhism, that all people can change their lives for the better and attain enlightenment in this lifetime. This message resonated especially among the disenfranchised of Japanese society, and before Toda's death in 1958 there were approximately one million members.

Call for nuclear abolition

In September 1957, Toda made an impassioneddeclaration calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons as a manifestation of the darkest aspects of the human heart. He asked the youth of the Soka Gakkai to work for their abolition, and this movement became the start of the organization's activities for peace.

Ikeda with Soka Gakkai members, 1958

International Development (1960 - 2010)

A worldwide movement

Toda was succeeded as president in 1960 by the 32-year-old Daisaku Ikeda, who had also experienced the horrors of war as a youth. Ikeda immediately set about building the foundations of an international movement, traveling overseas to meet and encourage the first pioneer Soka Gakkai members outside of Japan. He also founded a series of institutions to help build solidarity for peace, in the fields of culture and the arts, peace research and education. The SGI under his leadership has emerged as one of the largest and most dynamic Buddhist movements in the world, fostering and promoting grassroots activities in areas such as nuclear abolition, sustainability and human rights education and cultural exchange.

Buddhism aims to awaken people to the limitless potential and value of their own lives. Buddhist philosophy and practice bring about a positive transformation in the depths of life, transforming fear into courage, deluded impulses into wisdom, and egotism to compassion.
Buddhism begins with individuals deciding to take responsibility for their own lives, reforming first themselves, overcoming their negative tendencies, then through the example of their own lives, their immediate surroundings and relations. Buddhism places the responsibility of change, in a person’s life, squarely on the individual himself. 
Nichiren’s Buddhism 
SGI members follow the teachings of Nichiren , a Buddhist monk who lived in 13th century Japan. Nichiren asserted that every individual has the potential to become enlightened in his or her present lifetime. Buddhist practice is a vehicle of individual empowerment. Each person has within the power to overcome life's inevitable challenges, to live a life of value and become a positive influence in one's community, society and the world.

Origins in India 
Nichiren's philosophy is rooted in the teachings of Shakyamuni (Gautam Buddha), the historical founder of Buddhism who lived in India some 2,500 years ago. His teachings were recorded as sutras and spread throughout Asia, giving rise to a number of distinct schools of Buddhism.

Accessible to All
Nichiren lived in Japan, during a tumultuous time of social unrest and natural disasters. The common people, especially, suffered enormously in this harsh feudal society. Appalled by this state of affairs, Nichiren, while a young priest, set out to find the solution to the suffering that surrounded him. After intensive study of the Buddhist sutras, he realized that the essence of the Buddha's enlightenment, and the means to bring an end to suffering and social turmoil, was found in the Lotus Sutra. This sutra affirms that all people, regardless of gender, capacity or social standing, inherently possess the qualities of a Buddha, and are therefore equally worthy of utmost respect.

Based on his study of the sutra, he established the invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a universal practice for tapping and manifesting the life-condition of Buddhahood latent in one's own life. SGI members believe, that exerting oneself in both faith and practice--including taking action in reality based on wisdom and compassion--is the means by which one is able to realize one's Buddhahood.

Nichiren strongly believed that the true aim of Buddhism is to enable people living in the real world and facing real problems to become empowered and change their lives and society for the better. Nichiren Buddhism is a philosophy that respects the fundamental dignity of all life and stresses the profound connection between one's own happiness and the happiness of others.
Human Revolution 
Buddhist thought outlines a practical method for not only helping individuals overcome various sufferings, but changing society as a whole. Human revolution is the name Josei Toda, Second President of Soka Gakkai, used to describe this process--the liberation of the spirit from within. It is a continual process of renewal and invigoration, the development of one person's boundless inner capacity to lead a creative and contributive life through his or her own effort.

Inner Change in a Single PersonThere have been a number of different revolutions in recent centuries: political, economic, industrial, scientific, etc. Toda's view was that, regardless of how external factors are changed, society will not fundamentally improve as long as people--the foundation of everything--fail to transform the inherent negative and destructive tendencies of their own lives.

An inner change for the better in a single person is the essential first turn of the wheel in the process of making the human race stronger and wiser. Human revolution is the most fundamental and most vital of all revolutions. This revolution--an inner process of self-reformation--is completely bloodless and peaceful.


Process of Growth and Self-RealizationEvery single person has tremendous potential which is largely untapped. Through one's human revolution, this potential can be revealed and we can establish an independent, unconquerable self; enabling one to deal creatively with any situation that life has to offer. This process enables one to keep growing and developing indefinitely.

On January 11, 2009, approximately 6,000 Bharat (India) Soka Gakkai (BSG) members sat for an entrance-level study exam at 95 venues throughout the country. Study materials included two of Nichiren's writings, "Winter Always Turns to Spring," a letter to the lay nun Myoichi, and one of his many letters to Shijo Kingo, a samurai and devoted disciple.

Study sessions and lectures were held in various locations to help members prepare. Following the exam, one candidate commented on how much he enjoyed learning about the philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism together with his fellow members. Another said, "Studying Buddhist principles gave me courage to make concrete efforts for world peace. I was able to further deepen my conviction in Nichiren Buddhism."

Soka Gakkai International (SGI) is a lay Buddhist movement linking more than 12 million people around the world. SGI members integrate their Buddhist practice into their daily lives, following theLotus Sutra based teachings of Nichiren, a 13th-century Japanese Buddhist priest.

Just as the lotus blooms in a muddy pond, all people can manifest the Buddha nature--inner resources of courage, wisdom and compassion that can equip them to overcome life's challenges and lead happy and fulfilling lives. As "engaged Buddhists," SGI members aim to create value in any circumstances and contribute to the well-being of others. Their practice sparks a process of ongoing inner transformation and empowerment known as "human revolution." The promotion of peace, culture and education is central to SGI's activities