New Year Greeting from SGI Philippines (January 2007)
Manila Bay (photo by Daisaku Ikeda)
Happy New Year!
I would like to thank you for your support and encouragement to our new
homepage last year.
We have recognized numerous accesses from around the world.
This year is the Year of Advancement and Victory. Let's advance together,
and make this year victorious.
President Ikeda says; "The 21st century is the century of women."
We will furthermore improve our website this year in a way to give hope and encouragement to all women around the world who visit this site.
Maraming salamat po!
(Thank you very much!)
Human Light Group
Website
Administrator
The University Group Study Meeting was held on March 27
The University Group Study Meeting was held at the Philippine Culture Center last March 27, 2007. There are twenty five youth division members attended the meeting. It was the continuation of the previous lecture on the Record of Orally Transmitted Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin. SGI Vice President Takimoto had elaborated the profound teaching of the Daishonin’s Buddhism based on President Ikeda’s lecture.
After the lecture led by Vice President Takimoto, he asked some participants to share their experience in doing shakubuku since the topic was about oneness of father and child or mentor and disciple, and we as disciples of President Ikeda are engaged in shakubuku practice as he did and does even now.
Those who shared about their shakubuku experience said that we must have confidence and strong determination in doing shakubuku and we will definitely achieve shakubuku. Some of our friends may not be interested in listening and some may go against. Some may not pay attention to what you say. But, the important thing is that we do not lose hope because we plant the seed of Buddha in them. Time will surely come to the person to take faith in Gohonzon.
Lastly, Vice President Takimoto said that you should not change your attitude
towards the person simply because he does not listen to you. The important
thing is to have strong determination to do shakubuku. Engaging in Buddhist
dialog is itself the most compassionate action.
CHINESE PM MEETS HONORARY PRESIDENT OF SOKA GAKKAI LAY BUDDHIST GROUP
TOKYO: Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao met with Soka Gakkai Honorary President Daisaku Ikeda at the New Otani Hotel for 30 minutes in the afternoon of April 12. Mr. Wen was accompanied by a party of eleven including Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi. Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada and General Director Masaaki Masaki were also present.
Mr. Wen first met Mr. Ikeda in 1992 when he accompanied then President
Jiang Zemin on a visit to Japan and commented that he has read two of the
Buddhist leader’s published dialogues. The Chinese prime minister paid
tribute to Mr. Ikeda's efforts to promote friendship between the two countries
and presented him with his own calligraphy reading: “Creating a new path
to the future through compassion, binding a good relationship through harmony.”
Mr. Wen commented that his visit to Japan on this occasion had been the most difficult and most vital of all his overseas visits in recent years. He was heartened to feel the Japanese people’s genuine wish for improved relations.
Mr. Ikeda praised Mr. Wen's "outstanding" speech at the Diet
earlier in the day highly, describing it as a great and heartfelt declaration
for peace and friendship between the two countries. He commented that he
was reminded of Zhou Enlai – observing the same love for humanity, deep
insight into history and clear vision. He congratulated Mr. Wen on the
great success of his “ice thawing” visit.
As the meeting ended, Mr. Wen expressed his wish for a longer discussion at the next opportunity.
Daisaku Ikeda has consistently promoted friendly relations between Japan
and China over nearly four decades. He has visited China on ten occasions
and on his second visit, in December 1974, he met with Zhou Enlai, shortly
before the Chinese premier's death.
He was an early proponent of normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, starting with a proposal made in 1968, and has initiated numerous cultural and educational exchanges as bridges of peace between the two countries. In 1975, Soka University, founded by Mr. Ikeda, welcomed the first Chinese exchange students to study in Japan after the normalization of Sino-Japanese relations. He has been awarded over 70 honorary doctorates and professorships from universities and academies in China in recognition of his contributions to Sino-Japanese exchange and friendship.
The Soka Gakkai is a lay Buddhist association actively promoting peace, culture and education which has a membership of around 10 million in Japan. Daisaku Ikeda was president of Soka Gakkai from 1960 to 1979 and is now president of the Soka Gakkai International as well as honorary president of the Soka Gakkai.
SGI Philippines Davao members initiated a community outreach program!!
Davao Culture Center
(newly constructed)
98 residents received free checkup by doctor
Last July 7, 2007 at SGI Philippines Davao Culture Center, they have successfully
conducted the FREE EYE CHECKUP in cooperation with the Office of the City
Councilor, Hon. Pilar C. Braga who is SGI friend.
This program was to provide necessary eye checkup, proper advice and free eyeglasses for those who are in eed.
During the day, they have served not only the members of SGI Philippines
but also as many as 98 residents within the area.
The close encounters with the neighbors opened up chances to introduce
SGI movement in a manner that we don’t necessarily touch faith in religious
belief.
Leadership Development Seminar Program Held in Davao!
Gathered from Davao, Cotabato, General Santos, Kidapawan and South Cotabato
A district is the key to success
Last July 29, 2007, Sunday, the Men’s Division in Davao conducted their
1st Leadership Development Seminar Program at Davao Culture Center, Tahimik
Avenue, Matina, Davao City. Leaders and members participated in the said
seminar. A total 34 Men’s Division Leaders and members attended the seminar.
Aside from the members in Davao, participants came from as far as Cotabato
City, General Santos City, Kidapawan City and South Cotabato and joined
the seminar in high spirits.
It was a 4 hour seminar where the District Leaders Handbook was given as materials for lecture and discussions. All Chapter Leaders of the 3 chapters had their own topics to be discussed. The purpose of the seminar was to explain the definition and function of Districts and District leaders. In a practical exploration, the District is the most important part of our organization. However, it is doubly emphasized in the seminar that understanding alone will not guarantee the success of a district. But, as explained in the guidance of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, prayer to the Gohonzon with a sense of responsibility is the key to success.
The Leadership Development Seminar Program (LDSP) is a 4 part Sessions
Course. It started with the first session for Men’s Division. They plant
to complete entire session within the year.
(Reported By: JUSTINO C. FIGURACION JR.)
SOKAHAN Training Course was held at GCC
Group photo after the Training Course
Last August 18 (Sat) and 19 (Sun), a SOKAHAN Training Course was held at
the SGI Philippines Grand Culture Center in Tagaytay City. 54 Sokahan members
from the Metro Manila area participated in this 2-day training course,
YMD Chief, Jeremias Zhel Cruz; YMD Vice-Chief, Rodel Paul Sauza and former
Sokahan Chief; Hidefumi Shimoji were welcome as their guests.
During the training course, the milestones of Soka Gakkai such as the February
Struggle, Otaru Debate, Osaka Battle, Yamaguchi Struggle, Yubari Issue
as well as the 1st and the 2nd Priesthood Issue were thoroughly lectured.
All participants learned how severely and fearlessly Sensei Ikeda has struggled
as a disciple of Mentor Toda. The 4th batch of Sokahan School students
also joined the training course and renewed their determination to graduate
from the school, which will be on December this year.
At the closing ceremony, Sokahan Chief, Manual Ang, urged the participants
to become models, not only within the Sokahan group but also in all other
activities of SGI, and to possess the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple.
Study Department Exam Held across the Country
On September 23 (Sunday), the Elementary level examination of the Study
Department was held in various culture centers in the Philippines: from
the headquarters in Quezon City, to Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Cebu.
A total of 749 eager examinees burning with seeking spirit flocked to the
local culture centers as early as 1 hour before the exam.
Immediately after the exam, SGI President Ikeda sent a message to encourage
and praise all of the examinees as fine individuals.
Headquarters Guidance Meeting was held at SGI Philippines Culture Center
On September 30, 2007, Headquarters Guidance Meeting was held at SGI Philippines
Culture Center.
SGI delegates from Japan arrived in Manila as representative of President Daisaku Ikeda to encourage and support Filipino members. The said meeting was very successful. It was attended by district leaders up from Manila and representative leaders from Mindanao General chapters. All of them were very happy and encouraged by the experiences and guidances that the delegates have shared.
The day also marked the new era of SGI Philippines. Together with General Director Roger Cabauatan, all the leaders of SGI Philippines renewed and refreshed their determinations to advance for kosen-rufu.
YWD Manila-Mindanao Exchange Meeting was held
The much-awaited YWD Manila-Mindanao Exchange Meeting held on October 20-21,
2007 marked another milestone for the Young Women's Division. Headed by
SGI Philippines Young Women's Division Chief, Mary Grace Jingco, the meeting
focused on deepening one’s faith, developing seeking spirit to gain understanding
on Life and Death based on Nichiren Daishonin`s teachings, promoting friendship
and cultivating strong bond with our mentor, President Daisaku Ikeda.
Held at SGI Grand Culture Center, Tagaytay City on the 20th and at SGI Philippine Culture Center, Quezon City on the 21st, the said event was attended by 176 YWD members from Metro Manila and 56 members coming all the way from Cebu, Cagayan De Oro and Davao.
Earth Charter Forum was held at SGI Philippines Culture Center
Last November 17, 2007, an Earth Charter Forum was held at the Soka Gakkai
International-Philippines Culture Center in Quezon City. The keynote speaker
of the event was Miss Alicia Jimenez from Earth Charter Center for Education
which is based in Costa Rica, she was assisted by Miss Ella Antonio from
Earth Council based here in the Philippines, including special guests.
The forum started with a film showing entitled “A Quiet Revolution” a documentary which shows how individuals in their own communities have taken action to address their environmental problems, and have truly made a difference.
In the words of Kenyan biologist, Dr. Wangari Maathai, “Every one of us can make a contribution. And quite often, we are looking for big things, and forget that, wherever we are, we can make a contribution…. Sometimes I tell myself, I may only be planting a tree here, but just imagine what’s happening if there are billions of people out there doing something. Just imagine the power of what we can do”.
Then, Miss Alicia Jimenez spoke about the Earth Charter and its underlying principles. She also shared with us some ideas and guidelines on how we can promote Earth Charter to the people here in the Philippines. For she states that knowing it, understanding it, and living it as part of our daily life is still the ideal way in promoting Earth Charter.
Lastly, through another film showing, an overview of the Earth Charter was shown.
The Earth Charter Forum reaffirms SGI President Ikeda 2003 Peace Proposal. In which he states, “We cannot remain passive in the face of these severe realities. Rather, we should open ourselves to the limitless power, the unstoppable dynamic of change, that is created when awakened people unite and act together. It is in proving this truth that humanity in the twenty-first century can fulfill its mission”.
It is definite that we realize our own self-empowerment and contribute to the self-empowerment of ourselves. For President Ikeda also states, “One earnest person who awakens to his or her mission will become the driving force to challenge everything in his or her environment”.
Group photo after the Training Course
