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SGI in India: A New Era of Youth
By Rene Takeuti, BSGI Communications Department
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The
BSGI Philharmonic Orchestra |
It was a beautiful, warm autumn night, . . . 1,500 people listening to the strains of music reverberating through the square, asking themselves: "Who are these young musicians? Where did they come from?"
The 75 young musicians were members of the Brazil Soka Gakkai (BSGI) Philharmonic Orchestra, performing at an event commemorating the anniversary of Maringa city in Paraná State. The BSGI Philharmonic Orchestra is renowned for its classical music performances throughout Brazil. It receives many invitations to perform at public events, and it has some difficulty selecting those events at which it will perform from the numerous request it receives each month.
The majority of its members are boys and girls, teenagers, and young men and women. The youthful profile of the orchestra is evidence of a great transformation undergone by BSGI. A few decades ago, young people would probably have been reluctant to tell their peers that they were BSGI members. Now they are proud to do so. The history of this change in attitude reflects the history of Brazil itself.
Early Years, Hard Years
BSGI was founded on October 19, 1960. In the beginning, it was a small group of people, mostly Japanese immigrants, who lived in the countryside. Living in a strange country with a different culture was not easy for these people. But somehow, encouraged by each other and spurred on by the philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism, they managed to make a living. Some even became prosperous. As their contacts with native Brazilians developed, native Brazilian BSGI members began to appear. Things seemed to be going well for this small group of Buddhists, until they found themselves caught in the changing tide of political circumstances.
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Children
participating in the Makiguchi education project |
In 1964, Brazil entered a dark era, called by some the "hard years."
A military government was installed which many would call a military dictatorship. The world was then in the throes of the Cold War, and Brazil was just one of the Latin American countries caught up in the social and military turmoil of the times.
The conditions under the new Brazilian government were severe: no freedom of speech, no political freedom, no freedom at all. Politicians, journalists and artists were exiled; many people died in prison; TV and radio stations were heavily censored. Like many organizations in Brazilian society, BSGI was also affected; it was difficult to promote BSGI's activities for the sake of peace in a country that didn't know peace. Moreover, movements such as BSGI were considered politically dangerous by the military government, and many BSGI activities were conducted under the strict surveillance of federal agents. Even SGI President Daisaku Ikeda was considered suspect by the Brazilian government; in 1974, his application for a visa to visit the country was turned down.
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An
environmental exhibition held in Belém |
Nevertheless, veteran members of BSGI affirm that this difficult period was very important in the development of their faith since it provided an impetus for them to deepen their understanding of Nichiren Buddhism. Undoubtedly, it was their understanding of the spirit of Buddhism that kept BSGI members united during those difficult times. Despite the social chaos that marked this period, BSGI achieved quiet but consistent development, and during the 1970s and 80s, BSGI activities continued to be carried out throughout the country.
A Shift in Society
Fresh winds began to blow after 1985, bringing a new era of democracy for the Brazilian people. The year before had been a turning point for BSGI: SGI President Ikeda was able to visit the country at last. One of the most important events during his stay in Brazil was a meeting with President João Baptista de Oliveira Figueiredo, a former general who led the country to democracy. So, in 1985, BSGI set sail on a new journey in a new social climate, reaffirming its commitment to peace, culture and education.
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BSGI
representatives attending an International Women's Day
event at the Presidential Office |
One of the most important parts of BSGI is the educational division, founded in 1984. Its activities are currently a model for Brazilian educators. The "Makiguchi in Action" project, based on the ideas and theories of educator and first Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, has already been established in more than 100 public schools, and the BSGI Literacy Program is another
project that has considerable influence in the field of education.
Reaching Out to the People
During the "hard years," BSGI promoted its activities "silently."
After 1985, this spirit of perseverance in the face of opposition evolved into a wish to demonstrate the vibrancy of the SGI's philosophy aimed at building a better world. In recent years, the organization has held a large number of cultural festivals, seminars and forums throughout the country. Of these events, BSGI's exhibitions have probably played the most critical role in changing popular opinion about BSGI and earning it respect from every sector of Brazilian society. BSGI exhibitions, centering on such themes as human rights, environmental protection and the hopes and dreams of children, have already been seen by a total of over seven million people throughout the country.
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A
BSGI literacy class |
Brazil has a crucial role to play in environmental protection in this new century, especially since the planet's biggest rain forest lies within its borders. For this reason, promoting environmental protection has been one of BSGI's most significant activities during recent years. BSGI members feel that they have a duty to preserve the rain forest for future generations.
In addition to exhibitions, BSGI also promotes concrete action to protect the environment based on the findings of its Amazon Ecological Research Center. The main objectives of this facility are to support ecological institutions in their research and to serve as a seed bank and fieldwork center strategically located near the city of Manaus yet still in the heart of the Amazon rain forest.
Bright Future
When the BSGI Philharmonic Orchestra performed in Paraná State, their itinerary included three concerts in two cities within 18 hours of making the 10-hour trip from São Paulo. This busy schedule testifies to the energy and enthusiasm of the young musicians.
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The
Amazon Ecological Research Center in Manaus |
Today, the BSGI youth division, of which the orchestra is a part, is an important protagonist in all BSGI activities, playing a principal role in the organization. For example, it created "Dialogue for Life--For a Culture of Peace," one of BSGI's recent exhibitions.
BSGI youth members have a special characteristic: many of them are fourth- or even fifth-generation BSGI members, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those BSGI pioneers who lived under authoritarian rule during the 1960s and 70s. These pioneer members know BSGI's 40-year history very well from firsthand experience. The fact that so many young people are taking an active role in the organization is a great joy for all those veterans who worked hard to build BSGI's excellent reputation as a contributor to Brazilian society. They know that the future, whatever it may hold, is in good hands.
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