Soka Gakkai International is one of the most famous Buddhist community centers in the world with over 500 Chapters and 100 centers in America. It is a large network that has over 12 billion people across the globe. This Buddhist community is very diverse. The members of this community base their teachings on the Nichiren Buddhism and Lotus Sutra. The tenets of this branch of Buddhism lays down that people have the courage, wisdom and compassion to combat any challenge in life. The community is based on Buddhist principles like respecting the interconnectedness of the environment and humans. This community engages is many activities regularly to promote peace, abolish the manufacturing of nuclear weapons and promote development on a sustainable level.
Soka Gakkai Los Angeles- Promoting the message of love, peace and compassion
Soka Gakkai Los Angeles is part of the Soka International community of the world and the members here are focused on spreading the Buddhist message of love, peace and compassion. Regular discussion groups are held regularly where members share their opinions, views and stories when it comes to Buddhism and life. There are several members in the Los Angeles chapter that have embraced Buddhism as a way of life. At the discussion meetings every single voice is heard. The spirit here is democratic and helps the members to discover how their life can be enriched with the tenets of Buddhism. They form the basis of a happy society and community.
The history of Soka Gakkai International and Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
The Soka Gakkai means Society for the Creation of Value. It was established in 1930 by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. It was formed originally as a study group for individuals associated with education. Makiguchi was a firm believer of Nichiren Buddhism and with time, this group expanded into a movement that focused on the practice and the tenets of Buddhism. He believed that Buddhism was one of the most powerful means for people to tap into their true potential and spread the ideals of Buddhism. The tenets of Buddhism believe in respect and dignity of all human beings that could be used effectively for the transformation of society in Japan. However, his efforts were shunned when he was arrested by the militant government of Japan along with his disciple Josei Toda. They branded thought criminals and were placed in jail in 1943. Makiguchi passed away in jail in 1944 and after his release, Josei Toda promoted Buddhism as a means of self-empowerment. He associated Nichiren Buddhism with the term human revolution to express its core idea that everyone was capable to gaining enlightenment in this lifetime.
Today, Soka Gakkai Los Angeles practices the tenets that have been laid down by its founder. The people in Los Angeles who are with the group are against violence and nuclear weapons. They promote culture, peace and education across the world. This diverse community has enriched the lives of many people here as they embrace the message of love and compassion as a way of life and living!
