Media Room

The Soka Gakkai is a global community-based Buddhist organization that promotes peace, culture and education centered on respect for the dignity of life. It has 12 million members in 192 countries and territories worldwide, with 90 registered constituent organizations.

Soka Gakkai members practice Nichiren Buddhism, and their basic Buddhist practice is chanting the phrase “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” and reciting excerpts of the Lotus Sutra. They hold regular local discussion meetings to study Buddhist principles and their application to everyday life.

There are 8.27 million member households in Japan, and 3 million members outside Japan.

How does the Soka Gakkai adapt to different cultures?

The Soka Gakkai respects cultural diversity and encourages its members to be responsible citizens of their respective societies. In each country, for instance, the style and format of regular discussion meetings express the cultural diversity of that society.

Based on its Buddhist philosophy, the Soka Gakkai respects other religions, engages in dialogue and works together with them toward the resolution of fundamental issues concerning humanity.

How is the President of the Soka Gakkai elected?

Within the Soka Gakkai there is a President Selection Committee consisting of representative members of the Board of General Administrators. The term of the President is four years.

What is the role of Daisaku Ikeda?

Daisaku Ikeda is one of the three founding presidents of the Soka Gakkai. He has written numerous essays, articles and books on the Buddhist philosophy of Nichiren and the Lotus Sutra to inspire and encourage the members of the Soka Gakkai around the world. Many Soka Gakkai members view Daisaku Ikeda as their mentor due to the depth of his understanding of Nichiren Buddhism, and his efforts to encourage others to become empowered through Buddhist philosophy and practice.

Ikeda stresses that he owes everything to his own mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda (1900–58). The tradition of passing down teachings from mentor to disciple, or teacher to student, has a long history in Buddhism. The commitment of the mentor, or teacher, is to passing on what he or she has learned, so that eventually the disciple surpasses the mentor.

How is the Soka Gakkai financed?

Soka Gakkai organizations are supported through the donations of their members. In Japan, the organization also receives income from subscriptions to the Seikyo Shimbun daily newspaper.

Does the Soka Gakkai engage in political lobbying?

As an NGO, the SGI (Soka Gakkai International) is engaged in efforts to promote peace, disarmament, sustainability and climate change, human rights education, humanitarian relief, and gender equality and women’s empowerment, in cooperation with other NGOs and UN agencies.

For unique historical reasons, the Soka Gakkai in Japan is the main endorsing body for the Komeito political party, which has a platform of policies aimed at peace, environmental protection and support for the vulnerable. Soka Gakkai organizations outside Japan do not and will not ever engage in political activities.

What activities does the Soka Gakkai undertake to promote peace and nuclear disarmament?

Since 1957, when second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda issued his Declaration Calling for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons, the Soka Gakkai has been committed to ridding the world of these inhumane weapons. It has created educational resources, including collections of hibakusha testimonies and exhibitions, and held numerous forums and awareness-raising and signature gathering campaigns calling for nuclear weapons abolition. These efforts are inspired by the peace philosophy of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, and his peace proposals and statements. The Soka Gakkai is a partner of ICAN and welcomes the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

What action is the Soka Gakkai taking to address climate change?

The Soka Gakkai is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and switching to renewable energy sources, taking into consideration local needs, priorities and resources in specific regions and countries. It undertakes awareness-raising campaigns aimed at encouraging individual and collective action toward climate justice. Its affiliated Soka Amazon Institute near Manaus, Brazil, carries out reforestation and tree planting programs that help absorb CO2 and inform local people about the value of the forest.

What is the stance of the Soka Gakkai towards people embracing LGBTQIA and other gender or sexual identities?

The Soka Gakkai embraces and accepts all individuals regardless of their gender or sexual identities, and opposes all forms of discrimination. The Soka Gakkai upholds the international human rights standards enunciated by the United Nations, but recognizes that different countries are at different stages in the application of these standards, and that there are differences in their understanding of, and legal framework regarding, LGBTQIA issues. The organization looks forward to the progress of constructive debate in each national setting.