SŌKA GAKKAI

Sōka Gakkai (Society for Value Creation), Japan's largest lay Buddhist organization, was founded by the educator Makiguchi Tsunesaburō (1871–1944) in 1930 and reestablished after World War II by its second president, Toda Jōsei (1900–1958). In 2002 it claimed 8.21 million member households; its worldwide umbrella organization, Sōka Gakkai International (SGI), headed by the Sōka Gakkai's spiritual leader and former third president Daisaku Ikeda (1928–), claimed more than twelve million members in 185 countries and territories. Beginning as a lay association of Nichiren Shāshū, a small sect within the Nichiren school, Sōka Gakkai became independent in 1991 after longstanding tensions with the Nichiren Shōshū priesthood. In ethos and organizational style, it bears more similarity to Japan's so-called New Religions than to traditional temple denominations.

Sōka Gakkai stresses faith, practice, and study of the teachings of Nichiren (1222–1282) as the key to personal happiness and world peace. Members en-shrine a copy of Nichiren's maṄḌala in their homes and twice daily recite portions of the Lotus SŪtra (SaddharmapuṄḌarikasŪtra) and also chant the Lotus Sūtra's title, or daimoku, Namu Myōhō-rengekyō. (In Sōka Gakkai, as in some other Nichiren groups, "Namu" is usually pronounced "Nam" in actual recitation.) This practice is said to manifest innate buddhahood, bringing about a positive character transformation known as "human revolution," and to contribute directly to realizing an ideal society. To help implement its social vision, Sōka Gakkai established a political party, the Kōmeitō (Clean Government Party), in 1964, sparking controversy over religion–state relations. Sōka Gakkai officially separated from Kōmeitō in 1970 but remains the party's chief supporter. The organization encourages proselytizing, chiefly through personal contacts and neighborhood discussion meetings. Sōka Gakkai also undertakes a range of cultural, educational, and humanitarian activities and is an NGO (nongovernmental organization) member of the United Nations.

Bibliography

Machacek, David, and Wilson, Bryan, eds. Global Citizens: The Sōka Gakkai Buddhist Movement in the World. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.

Métraux, Daniel A. The Sōka Gakkai Revolution. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1994.

Métraux, Daniel A. "The Sōka Gakkai: Buddhism and the Creation of a Harmonious and Peaceful Society." In Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Liberation Movements in Asia, ed. Christopher S. Queen and Sallie B. King. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1996.

Murata, Kiyoaki. Japan's New Buddhism: An Objective Account of the Sōka Gakkai. New York and Tokyo: Weatherhill, 1969.

Jacqueline I. Stone