What is SGI?

The 12 million members of Soka Gakkai International (SGI) around the world embrace Nichiren Buddhism, a dynamic philosophy grounded in the realities of daily life. This Buddhist practice leads to empowerment and inner transformation or "human revolution" which enables individuals to take responsibility for their lives and contribute to building a world where people of diverse cultures and faiths can live in peace.

Nichiren, a 13th century Buddhist reformer, based his teachings on the Lotus Sutra and its core message of the dignity of all life. According to this sutra, all people possess and can manifest the Buddha nature--an unlimited, inherent life state of freedom which enables them to create value out of any situation.