Soka Gakkai

Soka Gakkai
Family	Nichiren Buddhist lay movement
Origin region	Japan
Founding period	20th century CE
Estimated adherents	Large international lay Buddhist movement; membership estimates vary.

Soka Gakkai is a global lay Buddhist movement rooted in Nichiren Buddhism, emphasizing chanting, human dignity, peace, culture, and education.

Overview

Soka Gakkai is a Japanese-origin lay Buddhist movement based on Nichiren Buddhism. Its global organization describes itself as a community in many countries and territories promoting peace, culture, education, and respect for the dignity of life.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Key beliefs

• The Lotus Sutra is central in Nichiren Buddhist interpretation
• Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is a core practice
• Every person has inherent dignity and Buddha nature
• Human revolution, or inner transformation, can improve society
• Peace, culture, and education are major public values

Practices

• Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
• Recitation of portions of the Lotus Sutra
• Home meetings and discussion groups
• Study of Nichiren's writings
• Peace, education, and cultural activities

Places of worship

• Homes with Gohonzon enshrined
• Soka Gakkai centers
• Discussion meeting locations

Sacred texts

• Lotus Sutra
• Nichiren's writings
• Soka Gakkai study materials
• Writings of movement presidents

Holidays and observances

• Nichiren-related commemorations
• Soka Gakkai founding dates
• Community and peace events

Branches and related traditions

• Buddhism - Soka Gakkai is rooted in Nichiren Buddhism.
• New Religious Movements - It is often studied as a modern lay Buddhist movement.
• Nichiren Buddhism - The movement descends from the Nichiren tradition.

See also

• Religion
• Theology
• Philosophy of religion
• New Religious Movements

References

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