About New Dawn
Overview
Along with faith and practice, Buddhist study provides practitioners with a fundamental source of energy and strength to overcome all obstacles, move forward in life and be victorious. SGI members follow the teachings of Nichiren, a Buddhist monk who lived in thirteenth-century Japan. Nichiren's teachings provide a way for anybody to readily draw out the enlightened wisdom and energy of Buddhahood from within their lives, regardless of their individual circumstances. Each person has the power to overcome all of life's challenges, to live a life of value and become a positive influence in their community, society and the world. Nichiren was born in 1222 in Japan, a time rife with social unrest and natural disasters. The common people, especially, suffered enormously. Nichiren wondered why the Buddhist teachings had lost their power to enable people to lead happy, empowered lives. While a young priest, he set out to find an answer to the suffering and chaos that surrounded him. His intensive study of the Buddhist sutras convinced him that the Lotus Sutra contained the essence of the Buddha's enlightenment and that it held the key to transforming people's suffering and enabling society to flourish. The Lotus Sutra affirms that all people, regardless of gender, capacity or social standing, inherently possess the qualities of a Buddha, and are therefore equally worthy of the utmost respect.
Go Back To The TopSGI Activities
TSGI members participate in various activities to develop a better understanding of the practice and to support other members in their practice. The SGl-USA has many different kinds of meetings that people can attend, ranging from introductory Buddhism meetings,discussion and study meetings to divisional meetings, World Peace Prayer meetings and specific interest groups. The function of these meetings is to enable members to deepen their understanding of the profound principles of life as taught by Nichiren Daishonin. The pivotal meeting of SGI-USA is the neighborhood discussion meeting. It is at this gathering, usually monthly, where members and their guests come together to discuss a theme or topic relevant to everyone. It is the heart of the organization and key to the members growth. To attend an introductory to Buddhism meeting, discussion meeting or any activity in your neighborhood please contact the community center closest to you. If you can’t find a community center, that doesn’t mean there aren’t members in your neighborhood! Please contact the center closest to you to find a discussion meeting near you.
Go Back To The TopMembership Cards
Each SGI member is represented by a membership card. These membership cards are not just a piece of paper; it is the life of one person. In it his life pulsates, her personality is contained and the drama of awakening in faith and rebirth is played out. There exist the human-to-human bonds of warm trust. Because we have been cherishing each person to the utmost, we see the magnificent development of the Soka Gakkai today.
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