S?KA GAKKAI

S?ka Gakkai (Society for Value Creation), Japan's largest lay Buddhist organization, was founded by the educator Makiguchi Tsunesabur? (1871–1944) in 1930 and reestablished after World War II by its second president, Toda J?sei (1900–1958). In 2002 it claimed 8.21 million member households; its worldwide umbrella organization, S?ka Gakkai International (SGI), headed by the S?ka Gakkai's spiritual leader and former third president Daisaku Ikeda (1928–), claimed more than twelve million members in 185 countries and territories. Beginning as a lay association of Nichiren Sh?sh?, a small sect within the Nichiren school, S?ka Gakkai became independent in 1991 after longstanding tensions with the Nichiren Sh?sh? priesthood. In ethos and organizational style, it bears more similarity to Japan's so-called New Religions than to traditional temple denominations.

S?ka Gakkai stresses faith, practice, and study of the teachings of Nichiren (1222–1282) as the key to personal happiness and world peace. Members en-shrine a copy of Nichiren's ma??ala in their homes and twice daily recite portions of the Lotus S?tra (Saddharmapu??arikas?tra) and also chant the Lotus S?tra's title, or daimoku, Namu My?h?-rengeky?. (In S?ka Gakkai, as in some other Nichiren groups, "Namu" is usually pronounced "Nam" in actual recitation.) This practice is said to manifest innate buddhahood, bringing about a positive character transformation known as "human revolution," and to contribute directly to realizing an ideal society. To help implement its social vision, S?ka Gakkai established a political party, the K?meit? (Clean Government Party), in 1964, sparking controversy over religion–state relations. S?ka Gakkai officially separated from K?meit? in 1970 but remains the party's chief supporter. The organization encourages proselytizing, chiefly through personal contacts and neighborhood discussion meetings. S?ka Gakkai also undertakes a range of cultural, educational, and humanitarian activities and is an NGO (nongovernmental organization) member of the United Nations.

Bibliography

Machacek, David, and Wilson, Bryan, eds. Global Citizens: The S?ka Gakkai Buddhist Movement in the World. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.

Métraux, Daniel A. The S?ka Gakkai Revolution. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1994.

Métraux, Daniel A. "The S?ka Gakkai: Buddhism and the Creation of a Harmonious and Peaceful Society." In Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Liberation Movements in Asia, ed. Christopher S. Queen and Sallie B. King. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1996.

Murata, Kiyoaki. Japan's New Buddhism: An Objective Account of the S?ka Gakkai. New York and Tokyo: Weatherhill, 1969.

Jacqueline I. Stone