Discovering Soka Gakkai SGI Buddhist Center

By Barbara Anderson


Buddhism is a practice that dates back several hundred centuries. As such, there are several Buddhist centers and organizations. One such organization, the Soka Gakkai International SGI Buddhist Center, founded at the World Peace Conference in 1975 has been helping local SGI groups and members since its inception.

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 group first began to expand and grow after the end of the second world war. In part, the growth was due to the many Soka Gakki members whom married local women, then moved out of Japan. For, during that time, there were a number of young serviceman whom became husbands and fathers while overseas. As such, most of the women and children returning to original destinations will be moving into an actual home for the first time.

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.

SGI is comprised of an international network of affiliated organizations and groups. In 2011, studies showed that the group had over one hundred ninety active organizations with 12 million members. While headquarters for two of these organizations are located in Tokyo, each operates on an independent basis. Still, all local SGI locations are eligible to receive funding from SGI headquarters if and when the organization receives public or private grant money.

Each of these organizations operate autonomously with the local language of each location being used in all business related affairs. In addition, a number of organizations are coordinated and sponsored by local social groups such as women's and men's groups. As this is the case, each location tends to create, organize and produce fundraisers as a method of raising operating funds for that specific location.




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