Soka Gakkai International (SGI)
Our tradition
SGI (Soka Gakkai International) is a lay Buddhist organisation established in 180 countries, which was founded in Japan in the 1930s by a man called Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. It is founded on the teachings of a 13th Century Buddhist monk and sage called Nichiren Daishonin. Nichiren proclaimed that the one of the last recorded teachings expounded by Shakyamuni Buddha (Siddhartha) 2,500 years ago called the Lotus Sutra declares that we can all reach enlightenment in this life time.
Members of SGI chant the mantra "Nam myoho renge kyo" which basically explained means devotion to the Lotus Sutra, members of SGI complement this practise by reciting parts of the Lotus Sutra on a daily basis.
All members of the SGI have a Gohonzon in their house. The gohonzon is a mandala, which we chant too, in order to unlock our potential and to reveal our Buddha wisdom, which all us possess.
SGI believes in not only the individual challenge of revealing our Buddhahood, but also working within our communities to create a Value Creation Society, recognising that we are all linked and connected with each other and our environment and taking responsibility for our actions or Karma, the law of cause and effect.
Meetings & contact
If you wish to find out more you can check out our website at www.sgi-uk.org.
Alternatively, if you are interested in attending a no obligation meeting the Merseyside area contact Rita on (0151) 727 4630 or Nevada on (0151) 222 2068.
Inspiration
"When deluded one is called an ordinary being but when one is enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished." - Nichiren
"If there is any religion that could cope with modern scientific needs it would be Buddhism!" - Albert Einstein
Links
- Soka Gakkai International: www.sgi-uk.org
