Exploring Soka Gakkai SGI Buddhist International Network

By Barbara Anderson


When it comes to the history of Buddhism, the practice dates back thousands of years. While this is the case, the Soka Gakkai International sgi buddhist organization was founded at a conference on world peace in 1975. Individuals representing 51 countries were in attendance at the meeting. Sine that time, the organization has added local organizations while the national organization has grown to over 12 million individuals now holding a membership.

Currently, the United States branch of the organization is located in Chicago, Illinois. In part, the SGI was created as an intentional international peace movement. Choosing Guam as the location of the first meeting was based on the history of the area during World War II along with Guam's close proximity to Tinian Island, the launching pad of bombs aimed at Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan.

The original global expansion of the group began just after the end of World War II. In large part, the expansion was due to the high number of servicemen married to Soka Gakki members, whom once married left Japan. In some cases, the couples also had children whom were coming to a real home for the first time. For, the servicemen with families at that time often lived in large tents.

One country, Uruguay honored the twenty fifth anniversary of SGI with a commemorative stamp. The stamp was initially released in 2000 and has grown in popularity and value since that time. For, it is not just a stamp, it is a stamp celebrating President Ikeda's first international journey in 1960. As such, those in possession of these stamps may want to hold on to them. For, there is a good chance the stamps will only continue to grow in value over time.

In 2015, the Peace Research Institute Director reported that SGI was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination was later confirmed by a local Nobel Peace Laureate. While this is the case, the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet received the award. Whereas, the SGI-USA was one of the groups organizing for the first annual Buddhist conference to be held at the White House.

The SGI-Italy was recognized by the Italian government for the first in 2015. The government also acknowledged the organization as an official religion which makes the SCI eligible to accept tax payer contributions. As such, donations by individuals qualify as deductions on personal tax records when it comes to filing tax returns. It is important that individuals discuss all tax-free donations with a CPA, or at the very least, have a clear understanding of how to report donations when it comes to tax-free operations.

The SGI is now comprised of a global network of affiliated groups and organizations. As of 2011, the group had over one hundred ninety active organizations in territories and countries with twelve million plus members. While headquarters for two such organizations are located in Tokyo, each are independent of the other. Whereas, all national locations can receive funds from the International Headquarters if selected to do so.

Each SGI organization operates on an autonomous basis with all business and other affairs presented in the local language. In addition, many of the national organizations are often coordinated by different groups such as men and women's groups. In most cases, each organization participates in fund raising to raise operating funds for that specific location. Although, the SGI headquarters in Tokyo has obtained grants from which funds were shared with national groups.




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