We, the constituent organizations and members of the Soka Gakkai International
(hereinafter called "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 realize a society of peaceful and prosperous
coexistence.
We, the constituent organizations 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 nonviolence,
hereby adopt this Charter, affirming the following purposes and principles:
Purposes and
Principles
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.
SGI, based on the ideal of world citizenship, shall
safeguard fundamental human rights and not discriminate against any individual
on any grounds.
SGI shall respect and protect the freedom of
religion and religious expression.
SGI shall promote an understanding of Nichiren
Daishonin's Buddhism through grass-roots exchange, thereby contributing to
individual happiness.
SGI shall, through its constituent organizations,
encourage its members to contribute toward the prosperity of their respective
societies as good citizens.
SGI shall respect the independence and autonomy of
its constituent organizations in accordance with the conditions prevailing in
each country.
SGI shall, based on the Buddhist spirit of
tolerance, respect other religions, engage in dialogue and work together with
them toward the resolution of fundamental issues concerning
humanity.
SGI shall respect cultural diversity and promote
cultural exchange, thereby creating an international society of mutual
understanding and harmony.
SGI shall promote, based on the Buddhist ideal of
symbiosis, the protection of nature and the environment.
SGI shall contribute to the promotion of education,
in pursuit of truth as well as the development of scholarship, to enable all
people to cultivate their individual character and enjoy fulfilling and happy
lives.
