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On September 29, Dr. Carlos Umaña, co-president of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), visited the Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Tokyo and met with Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada. During their conversation, they affirmed that this is the moment for citizens to come together to advance the abolition of nuclear weapons. The previous day, Dr. Umaña delivered a lecture, organized by the Soka Gakkai Peace Committee at the Josei Toda International Center in Tokyo. In his lecture, he pointed out that the continued existence of nuclear weapons is evidence that the principle of might makes right continues to prevail in international affairs.

On September 17 and 18, the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was held in Astana, Kazakhstan, under the theme “Dialogue of Religions: Synergy for the Future.” The event brought together over 100 delegations from some 60 countries, including leaders from the Buddhist, Christian, Daoist, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, Shinto and Zoroastrian faith traditions. Representatives from academia, civil society, international organizations and governments also attended. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who chaired the event, gave opening remarks. Discussions centered on the role of religion in peace and stability, digital-age ethics, AI’s societal impact, and combating violence, radicalism and intolerance. Yoshiyuki Nagaoka, executive director of the Soka Gakkai Office of International Affairs, attended the congress, and on September 18, he moderated a breakout session titled “Spiritual Values in the Age of Digital Reality and Artificial Intelligence.”

On September 14, Soka Gakkai in Germany held an open day at its Villa Sachsen culture center as part of the European Heritage Days, the most widely celebrated participatory cultural event across the continent, that takes place annually during September. Bingen City Mayor Thomas Feser and local residents attended the event. Lectures titled “Creating Value in Daily Life” and “Buddhist Practice: Unleashing Life's Magnificent Potential” introduced the philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism. There were also small group discussions, musical performances and children’s activities.  

Read how the open day at Villa Sachsen was creatively adapted during the COVID19 pandemic here.