Chapter 4 : The Founding and Development of the Soka Gakkai

The Basic Activities of the Soka Gakkai

The basic principle of the Soka Gakkai, which has transmitted Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism to the modern world, is to practise and spread Buddhism as he taught. The two ways of practice and study –that is, doing gongyo, chanting daimoku and studying the teachings - are the basis of the practice to which each member devotes himself, as well as propagation. Through this practice, SGI members strive to reveal their own Buddha nature and create a life-state of supreme happiness that will endure throughout eternity. This process is referred to as the human revolution.

Activities such as discussion meetings and personal guidance are also held, the purpose of which are to deepen faith and encourage practice. Ever since the Soka Gakkai was founded in 1930, the discussion meeting has been the central activity. It is a regular gathering of members, their friends and neighbours usually on a monthly basis. The basic function of the discussion meeting is to enable the participants to stimulate each other towards further growth and transformation. Its essence is revealed in the name originally given it by founding president, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi: ‘Discussion meeting offering experimental proof of the validity of the life of major good’. Thus, shared experiences in faith are a key feature of the discussion meeting. Furthermore, it is an embodiment of cooperation between individual human beings on an equal basis. In that sense, it is a wellspring of democracy, an oasis for the heart where participants recharge their life force and quench their spiritual thirsts.

On this foundation, the Soka Gakkai is carrying out activities for promoting peace, culture and education in the light of Buddhist philosophy. This is putting into action Nichiren Daishonin’s teaching, ‘On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land’. Rissho means to establish the correct Law and ankoku means to realise through this the security, peace and prosperity of the land (i.e. society and the world). This indicates that Buddhism is not confined to the individual’s spiritual domain, but also contributes actively to society.

The SGI Charter

The SGI consists of national organisations committed to peace, culture and education based on Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism. It adheres to the SGI Charter which confirms the ideals of world citizenship, freedom of religion, and tolerance and respect for other religions. The SGI Charter was adopted at the end of 1995, as follows:

Preamble

We, the constituent organisations and members of the SGI embrace the fundamental aim and mission of contributing to peace, culture and education based on the philosophy and ideals of the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin.

WE RECOGNIZE that at no time in history has humankind experienced such an intense juxtaposition of war and peace, discrimination and equality, poverty and abundance as in the twentieth century; that the development of increasingly sophisticated military technology, exemplified by nuclear weapons, has created a situation where the very survival of the human species hangs in the balance; that the reality of violent ethnic and religious discrimination presents an unending cycle of conflict; that humanity’s egoism and intemperance have engendered global problems, including degradation of the natural environment and widening economic chasms between developed and developing nations, with serious repercussions for humankind’s collective future.

WE BELIEVE that Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, a humanistic philosophy of infinite respect for the sanctity of life and all-encompassing compassion, enables individuals to cultivate and bring forth their inherent wisdom and, nurturing the creativity of the human spirit, to surmount the difficulties and crises facing humankind and realise a society of peaceful and prosperous coexistence.

We, the constituent organisations and members of SGI, therefore, being determined to raise high the banner of world citizenship, the spirit of tolerance, and respect for human rights based on the humanistic spirit of Buddhism, and to challenge the global issues that face humankind through dialogue and practical efforts based on a steadfast commitment to non-violence, hereby adopt this Charter, affirming the following purposes and principles:

Purposes and Principles

1 - SGI shall contribute to peace, culture and education for the happiness and welfare of all humanity based on Buddhist respect for the sanctity of life.

2 - SGI, based on the ideal of world citizenship, shall safeguard fundamental human rights and not discriminate against any individual on any grounds.

3 - SGI shall respect and protect the freedom of religion and religious expression.

4 - SGI shall promote an understanding of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism through grass-roots exchange, thereby contributing to individual happiness.

5 - SGI shall, through its constituent organisations, encourage its members to contribute towards the prosperity of their respective societies as good citizens.

6 - SGI shall respect the independence and autonomy of its constituent organisations in accordance with the conditions prevailing in each country.

7 - SGI shall, based on the Buddhist spirit of tolerance, respect other religions, engage in dialogue and work together with them towards the resolution of fundamental issues concerning humanity.

8 - SGI shall respect cultural diversity and promote cultural exchange, thereby creating an international society of mutual understanding and harmony.

9 - SGI shall promote, based on the Buddhist ideal of symbiosis, the protection of nature and the environment.