The Buddha
He was born as a prince in northern India some 2500 years ago.
Who is Shakyamuni Buddha? (Or Siddhartha Buddha or Gautama Buddha)
He was born into a family of modest fishermen in 13th Century Japan and to fulfill the vow he made as a young boy, he diligently studied all schools of Buddhism.
Who is Nichiren?
This organization emerged as a movement of ordinary people who use Nichiren’s teachings correctly to conquer life’s challenges.
What is the Soka Gakkai.
After his death, many people mistakenly began to revere Shakyamuni as this, and not as a human being.
What is a god?
This is the innate, compassionately courageous energy of the universe to advance and protect life.
What is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo? (or the Mystic Law)
These are the lion-hearted three founding presidents and eternal mentors of the Soka Gakkai.
Who are Makiguchi Sensei, Toda Sensei, and Ikeda Sensei.
After years of mediation, fasting, isolation, and other austerities (like sleeping on a bed of thorns or on bones!), Shakyamuni attained enlightenment under what tree?
What is a Bodhi Tree?
Nichiren inscribed this to help people awaken to their infinite compassion, wisdom, and courage.
What is the Gohonzon.
This is where people from every background dialogue with each other and share their real life experiences in Buddhism.
What are discussion meetings?
This is Shakyamuni’s highest teaching and it reveals that women, men, and all living beings are equal and endowed with Buddhahood.
What is the Lotus Sutra?
This is the process of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to overcome the deep-seated negativity and fundamental disbelief in ourselves and to open our eyes to the reservoirs of courage, compassion, and wisdom within us.
What is Human Revolution?
Based on this belief, Soka Gakkai does not have priests or clergy.
What is the belief that all people are equal?
Shakyamuni realized that the storms and demons that assailed him beneath the Bodhi Tree were actually this.
What was his own negativity and fear? (or fundamental darkness)
This is the purpose of life.
What is happiness?
This changes when we change.
What is the world?