In 1975, in response to the needs of an increasing international membership, the
Soka Gakkai International (SGI) was founded. Today SGI is a worldwide network of
more than 12 million members in 190 countries and territories sharing a common
vision for a better world. The roots of its institutional history are found in
the development of the Soka Gakkai (Society for the Creation of Value) in
Japan.
The Soka Gakkai's seventy-year history is one of dramatic growth and challenge
and one that was built by its successive presidents together with the people
who were motivated by their spirit and dedication. It was conceived in
1930 as the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai, a small society of educators. Its founders,
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871-1944) and his protege Josei Toda (1900-1958),
were inspired by Nichiren Buddhism and dedicated to educational reform.
In a two-volume work published in
1930-31, Makiguchi set down the framework and principles of Soka education. He
emphasized developing the learner's capacity for critical thinking over rote
learning, and self-motivation over blind obedience. It was revolutionary
thinking for the Japanese education system at that time.
For the state,
on the other hand, education like religion was a tool to deify the emperor as a
living god and mobilize the nation for war. At meetings of the society,
Makiguchi and Toda openly discussed the state's manipulation of religion. They
warned of the disastrous turn towards war. In 1943, the state arrested members
of the Society and imprisoned Makiguchi and Toda as "thought criminals."
Makiguchi died there, to the end holding fast to his principles and
beliefs.
Amidst the ashes and chaos of postwar Japan, Toda was released finally
and the Soka Gakkai was reborn. Toda expanded the organization's range
of vision from education to the betterment of society as a whole. He promoted
the practice of Buddhism as an accessible means of rebuilding lives and
overcoming obstacles to happiness.
Toda passed away in 1958 and Daisaku Ikeda became president of the Soka Gakkai in 1960 at the age of 32. Under his
leadership, the organization continued to grow and broaden its focus to
embrace activities in the fields of peace, culture and education. At the
same time, the membership outside of Japan is growing. To serve the needs
of the international membership and to expand its commitment to the welfare
of humanity on a global scale, the SGI was founded in 1975. Today, members
of the SGI strive to contribute to their respective societies as responsible
citizens cherishing the global vision of a peaceful world.
