Just Keep Chanting

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Soka Gai International is one of the largest Nichiren Buddhist communities in the United States, with over 500 chapters and 100 centers throughout the country. On Point reports on the way its members are integrating Buddhist principles into their everyday lives, with SGI leaders Mark Horton, Cassandra Colby and Ryan Ainsworth, and CSUN Religious Studies Professor Randal Cummings.

Soka Gakkai International-USA (SGI-USA) is a Buddhist practice known throughout the world.

SGI was created in 1975, and now has members in 192 countries including the United States. SGI members follow the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Buddhism as the center of their practice. The goal is to teach members that they have the courage, wisdom, and compassion to overcome and conquer the obstacles they face in life.

Soka Gakkai, also known as society for the creation of value, originated in Japan in 1930 under the leadership of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. Makiguchi believed this practice would be the greatest way for people to spread the Buddhist ideals of equality. One of the major goals was for members to spread respect for all of life.

“It is not a name but a title,” CSUN Religious Studies Professor Randal Cummings said. “It comes from the yogi concept of Bodhi, which means to be awake. Buddha gains enlightenment; somebody sees his glow, and they ask ‘what are you?’. ‘I am awake’.” Followers explain that being awake is an act of being present, and not only thinking about oneself, but rather about others. It is control over the actions that humans take.

As part of the practice members participate daily at home and in discussion meetings.

“The point of it is to have an open dialogue with a group of people,” SGI Vice Chapter Leader Cassie Colby said, “to share your experience, and what is going on in your life.”

SGI focuses on empowerment through the individual self, and on promoting peace, culture, and education. The practice fights to abolish nuclear weapons, and strives to keep human rights and educate others on sustainable living.

The 50K Lions of Justice festival is “focused on leading our change in injustice in society,” Ryan Ainsworth SGI District Leader said.

This festival follows the SGI Nichiren Buddhist practice. One goal is to inspire people to change the world. 50k Lions of Justice Instagram is available to see experiences of people who follow SGI-USA.

Nam-myho-renge-kyo is a chant from the Mystic Law that is a principle part of SGI. Members use this chant as an expression to embrace their own Buddha nature. It is a practice for oneself, and also for others, to capture happiness.

“It’s a spiritual workout,” SGI District Leader Mark Horton said. “You can’t see it, but you can feel it. Each person experiences something different; polishing the inside shines outside.”

Moderator: Tory Isaac

Producer: Leonard Tesher

Associate Producer: Tory Isaac

Anchor: Samantha Rodriguez

Social Media Editor: Andrea Tanchez

Reporters: Brandon Benitez, Tory Isaac, Nicholas Logan, Samantha Rodriguez, Andrea Tanchez and Leonard Tesher

 

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