SGI International or Soka Gakkai International (Value Creation Society) is a worldwide organization with over eleven million members promoting peace, culture, and education in society active in 192 countries focusing on global issues from a Buddhist perspective. The goal of SGI Nichiren Buddhism is to enable each person to become happy. SGI International is one of the world's largest peace-building, anti-war organizations advocating 'No First Use ' of nuclear weapons. In thirteenth-century Japan, Nichiren, a Buddhist reformer, established the practice of chanting "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo' (Devotion to the Mystic Law of Cause and Effect) as the means for all people to bring forth their inherent Buddha-nature, a life state characterized by limitless reserves of courage, wisdom, and compassion. Nichiren regarded "Myoho-renge-kyo," the title of the Lotus Sutra, as its essence and added "Nam" to indicate devotion to its principles. When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we can transform even the most fundamental, inescapable sufferings of life and death into a life embodying the virtues of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity. SGI members chant to the "Gohonzon," a mandala inscribed by Nichiren that embodies the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. "Gohonzon" means "object of fundamental respect or devotion" and serves as a spiritual mirror to perceive the true nature of our lives and bring forth the inexhaustible life force of Buddhahood. The Soka Gakkai International (SGI) is a lay Buddhist community. "Soka" means "to create value," implying that through Buddhist practice, we can create value from any situation, no matter how challenging. As all people equally possess Buddhahood, there are no priests in the SGI. If we may be of assistance to you, or if you would like further information about our organization, please visit our website at www.sgi-usa.org. read more