News Headlines

The Soka Amazon Institute has released a new 360-degree virtual reality (VR) video, introducing its educational initiatives and the ecosystems around it. The video is available in English, Japanese and Portuguese on the institute’s official YouTube channel.    

The first part of the video series “Real Talk” is now available with subtitles in traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. The series features Soka Gakkai youth exploring how Buddhist practice—the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and recitation of portions of the Lotus Sutra—and concepts like human revolution empower people to transform their lives.

Watch “Real Talk:” How Nichiren Buddhism Changed Our Lives (part 1), How Soka Gakkai Activities Impact Our Lives (part 2), and Nichiren Buddhism and Relationships (part 3).       

On June 21, Nepal Soka Gakkai International held women’s general meetings in the capital Kathmandu and also in Butwal, Hetauda and Pokhara. The theme of the meetings was “I will build a culture of peace.” The meeting in Kathmandu featured musical and other performances, faith experiences and poetry readings.

On June 14 and 15, SGI-Cambodia held a training course for Women’s Division leaders in Siem Reap, the second largest city in Cambodia. The course featured Buddhist study sessions, Q&A sessions and group discussions.

On June 5, the Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue, an affiliate of the Soka Gakkai, hosted its annual Indigo Talks event, which was held online and joined by some 135 people from 13 countries. Dr. Darren Kew, dean of the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego, gave a lecture titled “Reflections on Religion and Peacebuilding.” He emphasized that when efforts to bridge differences increase, significant steps toward peace can be made. Other participants included Dr. Winston Langley, professor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Boston, and Dr. Sarah Wider, professor emeritus at Colgate University.