Developing Creativity
January 2012
Banner photo: Aboriginal artist Charles Inkamala at work, Alice Springs, Australia [© Marianna Massey/Corbis]
News Briefs
Promoting the Study of Buddhism
Soka Gakkai Japan and SGI members in Brazil and Taiwan participated in Buddhist study exams in the month of October. Participants deepened their understanding of Buddhism through studying the writings of Nichiren and various Buddhist concepts. In Japan, some 46,000 people took the exam, which was administered in over 400 venues.
Nichiren's Writings Published in French
The first volume of The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin has been translated into French and published by Verlag Herder GmbH in cooperation with Soka Gakkai Japan. The publication contains 172 of Nichiren's writings. Renowned Buddhist scholar Dr. Dennis Gira acted as editorial supervisor. His wife Mme. Nicole Gira also aided in the editorial process.
Peace in the Face of Violence
In India, a seminar based on SGI President Ikeda's 2011 Peace Proposal was held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi, on September 8, one day after a deadly bomb attack on the New Delhi High Court. In Chennai, India, a similar seminar was cosponsored by the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation and Bharat Soka Gakkai on September 24.
Origami Cranes for Peace
SGI-South Africa women and guests gathered in Cape Town on August 14 for an event focused on the construction of a peaceful society. Jaqueline Dommisse, development director of Hearts and Eyes Theatre Collective, spoke on the puppet play Sadako about a young victim of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The women folded origami cranes, a symbol of peace.
Interfaith Exchange in Australia
SGI-Australia's Peace Culture Education Department held an exchange meeting on Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue together with youth participating in the Muslim Youth Leadership Program run by La Trobe University's Centre for Dialogue. The event was held at the SGI-Australia Culture Centre in Sydney on October 13. In total, over 40 people participated in the dialogue.
Exploring the Greater Self
The Boston, Massachusetts, Ikeda Center's yearlong investigation into the meaning and value of the Buddhist concept of "the greater self" culminated on October 22 with the 8th Annual Ikeda Forum for Intercultural Dialogue. The event featured four speakers discussing cross-cultural visions of the greater self and the best ways to actualize it in our everyday lives.
Planting Trees in Canada
SGI-Canada youth joined the Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) in Ontario in its tree planting initiative, marking SGI-Canada's 10th year of involvement. Over 70 youth planted a total of 250 trees on September 24. The CVC is a community-based environmental organization dedicated to conserving, restoring, developing and managing natural resources on the watershed of the Credit River.
Supporting Mental Health
Some 300 Singapore Soka Association (SSA) members took part in a Mental Wellness Carnival marking World Mental Health Day on October 2. The carnival, organized by Silver Ribbon Singapore (SRS), included exhibitions and cultural performances. SRS is a nonprofit organization that encourages early treatment and facilitates integration of people with mental illness within society.
