Dr. Thomas Smitherman, MD

SGI International or Soka Gakkai International (Value Creation Society) is a worldwide organization with over eleven million members promoting peace, culture, and education in society active in 192 countries focusing on global issues from a Buddhist perspective. The goal of SGI Nichiren Buddhism is to enable each person to become happy ??. SGI International is one of the world's largest peace-building, anti-war movements advocating "No First Use" of nuclear weapons. In thirteenth-century Japan, Nichiren Daishonin (1222-1282), a Buddhist reformer, established the practice of chanting "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" (Devotion to the Mystic Law of Cause and Effect) as the means for all people to bring forth their inherent Buddha-nature, a life state characterized by limitless reserves of courage, wisdom, and compassion. Nichiren regarded "Myoho-renge-kyo," the title of the Lotus Sutra, as its essence and added "Nam" to indicate devotion to its principles. When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we can transform even the most fundamental, inescapable sufferings of life and death into a life embodying the virtues of eternity, happiness ??, true self, and purity. SGI members chant to the "Gohonzon," a mandala inscribed by Nichiren that embodies the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. "Gohonzon" means "object of fundamental respect or devotion" and serves as a spiritual mirror to perceive the true nature of our lives and bring forth the inexhaustible life force of Buddhahood. "Soka" means "to create value," implying that through Buddhist practice, we can create value from any situation, no matter how challenging. And because all people equally possess Buddhahood, there are no priests in the SGI. The SGI'S central activity is the monthly discussion meeting where members chant, study Buddhism, and encourage one another to establish indestructible happiness ??. Ikeda Sensei, whose philosophy and actions we aim to embody, serves as a model for actualizing the limitless potential that exists within each person. He has dedicated his life to spreading a message of peace and respect for the dignity of life throughout the world ????. If we may be of assistance to you in any way, or if you would like to learn more about our organization, please visit our website at www.sgi-usa.org.