The General meeting of Soyukai
(Alumni of Soka University) was held at the GCC
Last February 18, Sunday, a general meeting of Soyukai (alumni of Soka
University, Japan) members was held at the Grand Cultural Center (GCC)
grounds in Tagaytay City.
A total of fifty-five people – led by SGI Vice President Takimoto and Mrs.
Takimoto, the alumni who are working in Metro Manila, Subic and Cebu, as
well as exchange students of Soka University currently studying at the
University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, and Kalayaan College
– participated in the meeting.
Mr. Norihiro Matsushima gave the opening speech
Mr. Nobuyuki Ota and Miss. Masae Takahashi
explained the background of "Sun of Hope"
The meeting started with Sensei Ikeda's message for the participants, which
was introduced by Vice President Takimoto.
In the message, Sensei extended his congratulations to them for the joyous
meeting of the Soyukai in the Philippines; addressing them as his beloved
disciples of the Essential Teaching, he expressed his delightful expectations
for their further growth and remarkable achievement for Kosen-rufu.
Mr. Norihiro Matsushima, a member of the 20th batch of graduates of Soka
University, gave the opening speech in which he observed that Soka’s humanistic
education – aiming to foster a total person and declaring that its ultimate
purpose is the happiness of individual students – has been also sought
for in the Philippines, and emphasized the great mission of the alumni,
who have been under the Soka education and who have lived and breathed
its very spirit in school days.
Then, "Sun of Hope," the new favorite song of SGI Philippines, was sung together
by all the participants.
Mr. Nobuyuki Ota and Miss. Masae Takahashi, the Soka students studying
at U.P. under the exchange program, explained the background of this song
– that the lyrics was actual excerpts from Sensei's poem "The Sky of Democracy, the Sun of Hope," dedicated to the members of SGI Philippines in 1991.
It was followed by a speech of Miss Taeko Fujita, graduate from the 31st
batch of Soka University, on her experience in studying in the Philippines
as well as the SGI activities she is particularly engaged in.
Miss Taeko Fujita gave the speech
The alumni who are working in Metro Manila
Vice President Takimoto gave a speech
Soka students sung a song
Vice President Takimoto gave a speech.
Mentioning the story of building the GCC, he expressed great joy of welcoming
such a large number of alumni and students of Soka University, and encouraged
them, citing Sensei's words from The New Human Revolution:
"Those aware of their mission have a certain radiance.
Those who dedicate their lives to their mission know joy.
In this awareness and dedication, they find the wings to escape
from the prison of sorrowful, painful karma and to soar high
into
the expansive skies of happiness."
"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo extends across the entire universe. Don't the Daishonin's writings say that 'when one attains the
Buddha way, one's body and mind at a single moment pervade
the entire realm of phenomena'? (WND, p. 366)
The Daishonin's Buddhism enables us to transform ourselves
and
develop an expansive state of life that encompasses the entire
universe."
Lastly, the twenty-two Soka students, who had come to the Philippines for
the short program of English training at U.P., sung a song in such a jubilant
and harmonious way that fascinated the audience deeply.
The participants got together to promote mutual friendship
All participants sung the Soka University Song
After the meeting, the participants got together to promote mutual friendship,
while enjoying merienda at the cafeteria of GCC.
The meeting was closed with the cheerful chorus of the Soka University
Song by all the participants.
Surrounded by the serene and beautiful panorama of Lake Taal, the general
meeting of Soyukai was like the "Ceremony in the Air," attended
by those who are united with the bonds of Soka education under Sensei Ikeda;
they got together in this place, inspired and encouraged each other and
thus happily fortified their bonds, and then left for their respective
places with gratitude and fresh determination in their hearts.
