Page 2, January 19, 2001  World Tribune SGI-USA Study Department Guidelines for 2001 SGI-USA S"TUDY DEPARTMENT LEADER in an essay titled "Making the Gosho Part of Our Lives," SGI President Ikeda writes: "As we stand on the threshold of a new century, I want to reconfirm the basic path of the Soka Gakkai. That is, the Soka Gakkai will always advance in complete accord with the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Daishonin's writings. It has been the Soka Gakkai's firm, unchanging position, since the time of its first and second presidents, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda, to practice in accord with the Buddha's teaching, just as the Daishonin instructs." And he writes of his own experience with study: "The harder the times I faced, the more eagerly I sought the Daishonin's words. And each time that I did, I found new courage. An inextinguishable sun arose in my heart, breaking through the darkness.  During the great campaigns that I waged in Osaka-the golden struggle of my youth-1 always based myself on the Daishonin's writings while earnestly fighting on the front lines" (May 5,2000, World Tribune, p. 8).  At the end of the essay, President Ikeda strongly encourages us to make serious efforts in study. He concludes: "Leaders who are genuinely committed to realizing kosen-rufu will read the Daishonin's writings everyday, even if only a line or a paragraph, and make it a living part of themselves. I also hope that the youth, in particular, will study the Daishonin's writings thoroughly, as they strive to achieve their goals. Those who do not, I have found, tend to be shallow and frivolous. Study is the marrow of the SGI. Unless we are armed with compassion and an understanding of the principles of Buddhism, we cannot carry out kosen-rufu. My dear, courageous comrades! Let's do our best!  Let 's strive with energy and enthusiasm on the vast open road leading into the 21st century!  SGI-USA Study Department members will take the spirit of this essay as our own determination and strive to accomplish the following goals in 2001: 1)  Study and review The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin and President Ikeda's guidance every day to deepen our faith and further improve our lives. 2) Make study the basis of promoting Soka Care on the front lines of our kosen-rufu movement-the district. 3) Take the lead in the Soka Spirit campaign to refute erroneous teachings and provide a clear and correct understanding of Buddhist principles for the peace and prosperity of humankind.              Study Activity Guidelines: 1) Individual Study Activity We will challenge ourselves to read the Daishonin's writings every day, even if only a line or a paragraph, as President Ikeda encourages, us. Many members have The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, which was published a little more than a year ago. We want to encourage each member of the Study Department to have his or her own copy. Scheduled to be available later this year are a CDs ROM version of The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, a compilation of daily passages of theDaishonin's writings, a compilation of passages by subject, and more to support a our individual study efforts. 2) District Study Activity District or group discussion as meetings are the foundation of  kosen-rufu activities and a place where people can learn of the humanistic philosophy of Buddhism.  The Study Department recommends dedicating a 1O-to 15-minute portion of discussion meetings to studying Buddhist principles. . Study articles will be published in the World Tribune or Living Buddhism as support- materials. 3) Chapter Study Activity A) Bimonthly study of the Daishonin's writings in even numbered months.  It is recommended that bi-monthly study meetings of the Daishonin's writings be (continued below) held by chapter and led by chapter, area or region leaders. Each area, region or zone should hold preparation meetings led by area, region or zone leaders, supported by the study committee the month before the meetings.  The materials will be selected from The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin (see the Feb. 2 World Tribune; the February study material from "On Repaying Debts of Gratitude" will be in the January issue of  Living Buddhism), and a study guide will be published in odd-numbered months in Living Buddhism.  B) Other study meetings in odd numbered months It is recommended that smaller meetings be held at the chapter or district level in every odd-numbered month, so that there is at least one study meeting for members to attend every month. The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra is recommended as material and preferably will be studied in dialogue format rather than in lecture format. (Volumes I and 2 are now available, and more volumes are scheduled to be published this year.) 4) Area, Region and Zone Study Activity A) Curriculum Study and Examination The current study curriculum will be completed at the end of this year, and it will be revised for 2002 and beyond It is recommended that meetings for curriculum study be held at the area and region level every month toward the Entrance and Advanced examinations to be held this year. The schedule of exams is as follows (see the Feb. 2 World Tribune for more details): .April 22 (Sunday): 2001Entrance-Level Examination. Oct. 21 (Sunday): 2001 Advanced- Level Examination B) Kosen-rufu Prayer Meetings Mini study presentations (10-15 minutes of encouragement based on a passage of the Daishonin's writings) are recommended to be a part of the program for monthly kosen-rufu prayer meetings . C) Introductory Meetings  The Study Department in each area and region should take the initiative to hold large-scale introductory meetings to share Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism and the humanistic philosophy of the SGI with people in society. D) Study Conference  It is recommended that an extensive study conference (day-long or weekend-long conference to study various subjects and materials) be held at the area, region or zone level for promoting study throughout the organization. Through such an event, the importance of the Soka Spirit campaign can be shared. 5) Nationwide Study Activity A) FNCC Study Conference At the Florida Nature and Culture Center, the Study Department will sponsor a "Study Conference" twice in 2001.  These conferences will be open for all members who are interested in the intense study of Buddhist concepts and philosophy. The schedule of the conferences is as follows:  -FNCC Study Conference No. 1: June 14-17 -FNCC Study Conference No.2: Dec. 6-9 B) Study Department Planning Committee Meetings Nationwide Study Department leaders and staff will hold planning committee meetings with the representatives from throughout the nation to discuss and plan the future direction of study activities. (end of article)

IIn 2002, we recommend that bimonthly study meetings or lectures on The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin continue being held in even-numbered months, as we have been doing. The study material for these activities will appear in Living Buddhism in each odd-numbered month's issue (one month prior to the study meeting months). The following is a list of the Gosho to be studied in 2002: I. The February study material will be in the January 2002 issue of Living Buddhism. On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, from p. 3, paragraph 3, beginning "Life at each moment encompasses" to p. 4, paragraph 2 "roots of goodness in your life." Japanese: Issho Jobutsu Sho  Gosho Zenshu, p. 383: Line 3 to the end of the page.Reference material is in the January 2001 Daibyakurenge (pp. 75-77) Points of Study: - The differences between Buddhism and non-Buddhism - The differences between the provisional teachings and the Lotus Sutra - Mutual possession of the Ten Worlds / Three thousand realms in a single moment of life - Inner reformation / Human Revolution - The heart is what really matters / Fortune comes from one's heart II. The April study material will be in the March 2002 issue of Living Buddhism. 2  The Gift of Rice From WND, p.1125, 3rd paragraph: "Life is the foremost of all treasures To WND, p. 1126, 2nd paragraph: "the seventh volume of Great Concentration and Insight." Gosho Zenshu, p. 1596, line 4--p. 1597, line 4. (Daibyakurenge, November 1994) Points of Study: - The sanctity of life expounded in Buddhism - The meaning of "namu" or "dedicating one's life" - The spirit of Buddhist offering: "offering in actuality" and "offering in principle - The importance of "earnest resolve" in attaining Buddhahood III. The June study material will be in the May 2002 issue of Living Buddhism. The One Essential Phrase WND, p. 922, from paragraph 3, "The spirit within one's body ." to p. 923, the end of paragraph 2, "of the hell of incessant suffering." Japanese: Myoho Amagozen Gohenji Gosho Zenshu, p. 1402, line 10, to p. 1403, line 8. Reference: January 1998 Daibyakurenge (pp. 58-63). Points of Study: - The daimoku of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo / benefit of the daimoku - The formality of gongyo - The time of kosen-rufu / the Latter Day of the Law - The principle of shakubuku IV. The August study material will be in the July 2002 issue of Living Buddhism. On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land WND, p. 23, from paragraph 6, "There can be no doubt that" to p. 24, the end of paragraph 3, "when enemies rise up on all four sides and invade the nation." Japanese: Rissho Ankoku Ron Gosho Zenshu, p. 31, lines 718. Reference: February 1996 Daibyakurenge (pp. 48-53). Points of Study: - The spirit of Rissho Ankoku, establishing the correct teaching / spirit of dialogue - Evaluation of the teachings (The principle of the fivefold comparison  reference from "The Opening of the Eyes") - To associate with "a friend in the orchid room" / importance of the organization - To become upright, "as mugwort growing among hemp" / the power of dialogue - Actualizing world peace / the century of the humanism V. The October study material will be in the September 2002 issue of Living Buddhism. True Aspect of All Phenomena  WND, p. 385, from paragraph 4, "Now, no matter what, " to p. 386, the end of paragraph 2, "the three existence of past, present, and future." Japanese: Shoho Jisso Sho Gosho Zenshu, p. 1360, line 617. Reference: the Advanced-Level Study Material: Shoho Jisso Sho Kogi by SGI President Ikeda (pp. 72-91). Points of Study: - The oneness of mentor and disciple - Spirit of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth / "Bodhisattva Buddha" - Meaning of "the Ceremony in the Air" - Revealing the true identity - Buddhist view of equality VI. The December study material will be in the November 2002 issue of Living Buddhism. Lessening One's Karmic Retribution WND, p. 199, from paragraph 2, "The Nirvana Sutra teaches" to the end of p. 200,  "I will close now to keep this brief."  Japanese: Tenju Kyoju Houmon  Gosho Zenshu, p. 1000, line 3, to the end of p. 1001.  Reference: June 1996 Daibyakurenge (pp. 56-61). Points of Study: - Lessening one's karmic retribution - Shoju and shakubuku / time and country (Reference from "The Opening of the Eyes II") - The importance of action in the Buddhism - Attaining Buddhahood means winning over the obstacles

YEAR 2002 SGI-USA STUDY CURRICULUM AND JANUARY 19,TH 2001 WT GUIDELINES ARTICLE

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