South Zone Team - Information Central

Day of Justice - April 24th

2009-04-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

Thirty years ago, on April 24, 1979, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda stepped down as the third Soka Gakkai president and became honorary president. President Ikeda's resignation was the result of individuals who tried to destroy the Soka Gakkai and those who lacked the courage to protect it. President Ikeda recalls this incident as a time when, "I could detect no trace of the fighting spirit to protect the Soka Gakkai with one's life or the willingness to fight together with me, no matter the times or circumstances."

We commemorate April 24th to refresh our hearts and our determination to protect the purity of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. With the Daishonin’s spirit to never seek the Gohonzon outside ourselves, we have compiled a list of Soka Justice resources and questions that may be used to support our April district discussion meetings:

Soka Justice Resources

Stormy April 24th, essay by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda
Spiritual Independence Pamphlet
Spiritual Independence and Mentor-Disciple Relationship, by Nathan Gauer, Mar-Apr 2009 Living Buddhism
Soka Justice: Geography of the Heart, Seize the Day pull out, 2/20/09 World Tribune
Dedicate Your Lives to the Great Path of the Oneness of Mentor and Disciple, Sep-Oct 2008 and Nov-Dec 2008 Living Buddhism

Sample Questions for Dialogue

What does the oneness of mentor and disciple relationship mean to you?
Why do you think it’s important to study the significance of April 24th?
Why do you think Nichiren Daishonin emphasized the importance of the heart in our Buddhist practice?
How has studying about Soka Justice helped you in your daily life?

Districts can use the materials in the way they deem best. The goal is to spark joyful and heartfelt dialogue that will deepen our understanding of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism and the oneness of mentor and disciple.

Thank you for all of your efforts with our victorious March district discussion meetings! Let's continue to build on our victories by having joyful district discussion meetings in April!

Download this memo by clicking here.

Download Stormy April 24th essay here.

Additional April 24th Materials

2009-04-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

If you would like additional study materials or resources besides the ones we've recommended, you can find them by visiting the April 24th, Day of Justice website.

Click here to visit the site.

You can also download some of the following essays focusing on Soka Justice. Click to download the .pdf.

Right Will Win Out in the End - By Margie Hall
Staying the Course of Faith - By Daisaku Ikeda
The Atsuhara Persecution: Disciples Join the Struggle - By Daisaku Ikeda
The True Purpose of Religion - By Daisaku Ikeda

Ikeda Kayo-Kai

2009-03-26T13:34:00.001-07:00

So you've heard all about the Ikeda Kayo-kai? Well here's the place where you can get all the background information and resources you need! To begin with, here's a memo from our SGI-USA YWD leader, Vinessa Shaw:

Hi Ladies!!

I wanted to share with you the memo that was sent to me regarding the formation of the Ikeda Kayo-Kai Group of the Second Act! Please share this with all the YWD around the nation!!!

I want everyone to be able to take this opportunity to dedicate themselves as members of this group as soon as possible! As is shared in this message from our International YWD Leader, Ms. Tateno, let's all meet in the year 2030 to share how far we have come!

Please read the Human Revolution, Vol.2, p.888, to read about the beginning of President Toda's Kayo-Kai in 1952. This group was comprised of 20 young women whom gathered twice a month to receive guidance and training from President Toda directly. They spoke about a wide range of topics regarding humanity. As is said on this page, the young women "pledged to themselves to fulfill their mission, no matter how difficult. For Toda, these meetings were excellent opportunities to intensely train those young people who would soon grow to be full-fledged phoenixes." Wow!!

Even though we are not physically with our mentor at this time, let's take this opportunity to receive direct training from his writings and the writings Sensei read during his youth to become these "phoenixes of the Second Act"!

Please write to Sensei to share your determinations and your hopes and dreams as a young woman of the Ikeda Kayo-Kai Group of the Second Act.

Your Soka Sister,
Vinessa Shaw

You can download Ikeda Kayo-kai materials by clicking the links below. Please note, some of the files may take a few minutes to download if you have a slow connection:

President Ikeda's most recent message to the American Ikeda Kayo-kai (NEW)
President Ikeda's and Vinessa's introductory messages to the YWD (.pdf)
President Ikeda's essay to Young Women (9/12 & 9/19 WT) (.pdf)
The Toda Kayo-kai excerpt from the Human Revolution (.pdf)

You can also visit the SGI-USA Kayo-kai site to download a determination card! These cards are due to SGI-USA by April 24, 2009.

National Leaders' March 16th Message

2009-03-15T04:44:00.000-07:00

Hot off the presses! We just received a message from the national leaders regarding March 16th. Please note, this message is in addition to the message we received from the General Director specifically commemorating the Happiness Group and our zone. Please read/distribute both messages widely.

Click here to download the March 16th message.

Thank you!

Message from General Director Nagashima

2009-03-11T16:16:00.001-07:00

Click here to download a copy of this message for your meeting.

My dear friends in the South Zone,

Thank you for participating today! These wonderful discussion meetings commemorating March 16th, Kosen‐Rufu Day are being led by the youth throughout the United States. Congratulations!!

I know you are also celebrating President Ikeda’s visit on March 15, 1974 to South Zone! Just like the ceremony on March 16, 1958, on a moment’s notice, more than 300 members from throughout the southeast gathered with President Ikeda at the University of New Orleans, which he named Happiness Group!

Sensei writes in the New Human Revolution as follows: “It could be said that the city’s prosperity was built on the suffering of African Americans, who made up the rural labor force of the American South. Wishing to see this place of such sorrowful history transformed into a place brimming with happiness, Shin’ichi poured his heart and soul into speaking with everyone he met. He also named the group of members who attended the meeting that day the Happiness Group. Through this encounter, the members awakened to their mission and went on to cultivate luxuriant trees of happiness and trust in their communities and society at large.” What an unforgettable memory and prime point of South Zone, which now has a membership of 3500!

Youth Division, thank you for your efforts to lead this meeting with enthusiasm and joy! I was able to train my life and open my heart by engaging in my district. Sensei has often said that the district is the best place to polish our lives. To our precious pioneers, men and women’s division, I humbly ask that you work side‐by‐side with our youth, sharing your wisdom and passion for kosen‐rufu, and all your precious experiences with President Ikeda. With our prayers and efforts let’s create an environment where everyone can contribute joyfully toward our dream of kosen‐rufu.

President Ikeda recently stated, “My youthful disciples are growing at such a remarkable pace that their seniors are astonished and impressed. Thinking people in Japan and all over the globe are watching the vibrant activities of the youth division with keen interest. I wish to declare proudly to the world: Behold my true disciples! Behold these young people of the essential phase!” (February 20, 2009 World Tribune, Seize the Day)

I was amazed to read this great declaration by Sensei. Based on Sensei’s vision, together let’s courageously and widely expand this philosophy of hope and victory lifting the spirits of the people and bringing the era of Soka in our own community. I am praying for your unprecedented growth, lasting happiness and total success.

Your youthful friend,
Danny Nagashima
SGI‐USA General Director
March 15, 2009

Click here to download a copy of this message for your meeting.

Guidelines for March Discussion Meetings

2009-03-04T14:09:00.000-08:00

Click here to download a copy of this memo. -.pdf file

Congratulations to the Women’s Division for a tremendous victory in February! Let’s joyfully continue this momentum into our March discussion meetings.

As you may know, March is a very special month for South Zone. In addition to commemorating Kosen Rufu Day (March 16), we will also be celebrating the 35th anniversary of President Ikeda’s first and only visit to the South Zone on March 15, 1974. President Ikeda named the group of members who attended the gathering that day the “Happiness Group.”

We would like to commemorate these significant days during our March district meetings. The youth division members are encouraged to take responsibility to lead these four-divisional meetings, focusing on the oneness of mentor and disciple as well the idea of absolute happiness.

Materials that may be helpful:

February 9, 2007 WT *– The New Human Revolution pull out. This documents the formation of the Happiness Group.
February 13, 2009 WT – President Ikeda’s editorial Become Shining Stars In Our Communities. It highlights the significance of being good citizens where we are.
February 20, 2009 WT – The Truest Happiness (p. 7) – Writings for Discussion Meetings for March.
Kosen-Rufu Day & Happiness Group Video* – (approx. 9 minutes) – Gives a brief overview of the Happiness Group and the significance of March 16th (Kosen-Rufu Day). Can be shown at the district meeting or viewed for background information.

DVDs will be available from your area leaders.

Happiness Group PowerPoint* – (approx. 7 minutes) – Gives a brief history of the Happiness Group. Can be presented at the district meeting or viewed for background information

Please note, the video is a large file and requires a high-speed connection. Items with an * may be downloaded from this site. See below.

Districts have flexibility to decide the best way to use the materials. Our goal is to have joyful meetings with lots of time to discuss the basics of faith, while commemorating the Youth Division and the Happiness Group.

Sample discussion questions:

What is the difference between relative and absolute happiness?
How can we attain happiness?
How can I use this practice to be a good citizen?
What does President Ikeda’s visit to our zone have to do with my practice now?
What is a mentor?
What does the mentor/disciple relationship mean to me?

Thank you so much for supporting the youth division! Please have fantastic March discussion meetings!

Click here to download a copy of this memo. -.pdf file

What is the Happiness Group?

2009-03-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

At a moment's notice, members from what is now South Zone traveled to New Orleans to meet with President Ikeda. Find out about this momentous occasion by reading the account featured in the February 9, 2007 World Tribune: