History And Tradition Of A SGI Buddhist

By Larry West


When it comes to Buddhism, there are a number of different paths. While this is the case, one of the most popular is that of the Soka Gakkai International or sgi buddhist. The SGI upholds the tradition which originated with Gautama Buddha and continued to develop the tradition until the path was inherited by Japan's Dengyo and Nichiren, China's T'ien-t'al and Mialo-lo and India's Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu. The lay organization continues to focus on the path created by Gautama Buddha through these gurus and spiritual leaders.

SGI is a tradition upheld and embraced based on the scriptures of the Mahayana and the Lotus Sutra. The organization has been involved in faith practices and societal activities which relate to maintaining a compassionate spirit in a troubled world. While this is the case, most individuals while striving to live a life of peace will always face unexpected challenges.

In 1930, an unknown Japanese elementary teacher called Tsunesaburo Makiguchi created and published the first volume of The System Value-Creating Pedagogy. The work outlined a child-centered philosophy of education which had been developed over a number of years. In the educational materials, children are taught to live in a kind and compassionate way, regardless of circumstance.

The original founder of Buddhism, Shakyamuni, born some 2,500 years ago was a member of a royal family whom lived near what is now known as Nepal. The founder observed the sufferings of death, sickness and aging. While healthy, the young man perceived these sufferings as being normal aspects of life. As such, Shakyamuni renounced the secular life path and embarked upon a search for a truer philosophy which would enlighten the meaning of life for everyone on earth.

On the journey, Shakyamuni studied different aspects of Buddhist teachings and studied modern and traditional texts. Still, the young man felt something was missing. As a result of the search, the young guru awakened to the eternal and universal laws of the universe. Later, Shakyamuni would come to realize the law awakened to was the pure essence of Buddhism.

Shakyamuni discovered that suffering was due to the ignorance of the people which focused on material things and egotism rather than needs. For, none of those effected appeared to realize the sanctity of life. As a result, the guru taught huge numbers of people about life, death, rebirth and how to release oneself and material aspects along with desire in order to practice a simpler way of life.

The aim, to revive human vitality and awaken the unsurpassed dignity in each and every individual so that those individuals could unlock the boundless potential and activate the inner wisdom which most Buddhist believe exist in all human beings. Whereas, the guru also taught that by having an awareness of one's own dignity that would lead to having respect and dignity for others.

Once Shakyamuni died, these teachings were compiled into different sutras. These sutras became the basis and substance of the spiritual practice of Buddhism. As such, when reading a sutra, it is important to do so with honor and respect. For, these lessons include doctrines of the practice, including two which are often considered the most important, compassion and wisdom.




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