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if you desire peace,
prepare for peace
Soka Gakkai Malaysia
Soka Gakkai Malaysia
CONTENTS
A Humanistic Perspectiveon Peace in the 21st Century
Soka Gakkai International
History and Philosophy
Soka Gakkai Malaysia
Humanism in Action
Education
Publications
Locations ofSGM Culture Centres
Copyright © 2015 Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM)
All rights reserved. No reproduction, copyor transmission of this publication may be made
without written permission
Published by
Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM)
SGM Culture Centre
Lot 960, KM14, Batu 9, Jalan Cheras
43200 Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: 603 9075 6876
Email: sgmcentre@sgm.org.my
Designed by Willie J T Lim
Printed by Wai Xin Industries Sdn Bhdon recycled paper
soka gakkai malaysia
building a culture of peace
wrote Soka Gakkai International (SGI) President
Daisaku Ikeda in his novel series, The Human
Revolution.
Almost seven decades have passed since the
Second World War. And yet as humanity moves
in time and space, making phenomenal
breakthroughs in science and technology, our
planet Earth continues to be wrecked by
self-destruction. Hundreds of regional wars and
multiple con�icts around the world have
resulted, and continue to cause the death and
misery of millions of people.
We live in a peculiar time. Humankind has never
in its history enjoyed such material abundance
or experienced such technological progress. But
neither has it su�ered so much death,
destruction and poverty.
Rapid globalisation is rendering geographical
di�erences virtually meaningless and making
the world as one.
It is a time of rapid change and great confusion.
It is the best of times, and the worst of times. We
stand at a point of balance. Which way that
balance tips as we go forward in this century
depends crucially on what we decide to do now,
particularly about the escalating violence in our
society, and the world at large.
What are the causes of human violence? How
do we move away from a culture of violence
to a culture of peace? What is the way
forward?
SGI believes that it starts with the inner
transformation of the individual. World-
renowned authority on peace, Johan Galtung,
suggests that violence or war for that matter is
not an instinctive human behaviour. He said, “If
you desire peace, prepare for peace.”
Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) has been organising
various kinds of activities at respective state
Culture Centres and public venues not merely to
raise awareness on peace but also to embrace a
conviction that our action can bring about a
change in our environment. These activities
often bring out the message of hope, of
overcoming powerlessness and reminds us that
we are the creators of peace.
a humanistic perspectiveon peace in the 21st century
<< • How do we move away from a culture of violence to a culture of peace? < • Clean drinking water can be a precious commodity
"Nothing is more barbarous thanwar, nothing more miserable,”
Breaking the Cycle of Violence, and Building
a Culture of Peace …
Land-mines continue to be a persistent danger inmany war torn nations
©2014 W
orld Vision, photo by Jon Warren
Photo courtesy of Colin Summ
ers
A worldwide non-governmental organisation
a�liated with several UN agencies, SGI has a
network of constituent organisations around the
world including Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM).
Based on what Buddhism holds most dear – the
inherent dignity of human life - SGI and its
worldwide network of a�liated organisations
strive to promote the values of peace and
respect for all people through culture and
education.
The concept of peace that SGI members strive
for through their various activities is not the
absence of war, but rather, a dynamic, interactive
process which channels humanity’s deep-rooted
self-destructive urges towards creative and
constructive ends. SGI’s concept of peace is
more than just the cessation of war, but refers to
a society which based all its activities on such
fundamental core values as respect for the
dignity and preciousness of each individual
human life.
One way of helping people to respect the
dignity of humanity is to bring them into contact
through their creativity, the hallmark of our
humanity. Through activities centring on peace,
culture and education, SGI members strive to
bring about an awareness of the
interconnectedness and common bonds among
people. When the super�cial di�erences
between people become less signi�cant than
their collective experience and shared destiny, a
spirit of co-existence and mutual appreciation
can be then nurtured.
While we recognise that con�ict is intrinsic to the
human condition, we also believe that
di�erences in ethnicity, religion and language
need not necessarily give rise to tension and
violence. Human con�ict can never be
eradicated completely. And as human ingenuity
continues to devise ever more sophisticated and
powerful weapons, SGI members are committed
to combat this tide by consciously seeking out
and continually strengthening the awareness of
our commonalities and shared destiny as a
human race on this beautiful planet called Earth.
soka gakkai internationallaying the foundation for enduring peace...
Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a grassroots organisation based on the
humanistic philosophy of Buddhism, is dedicated to peace e�orts.
A meeting of minds – peace activists: Former President of South Africa,
Nelson Mandela and SGI President Daisaku Ikeda
> • The concept of peace that SGI members strive for through their various activities is not merely the absence of armed conflict
• > SGI members strive for world peace through culture and education
“Nelson Mandela - Lion of Freedom”an essay by Daisaku Ikeda
This 13th century Japanese sage centred his
philosophy on one of the last recorded teachings
of the �rst historically recorded Buddha.
The founder of Buddhism, Shakyamuni or
Siddartha Gautama, who lived some 2,500 years
ago, taught in many ways. One of these
teachings is the Lotus Sutra and it is this writing
which Nichiren based his teachings upon in
thirteenth century Japan. He showed that the
Lotus Sutra revealed a universal principle called
the Buddha nature, which is inherent in all life.
Further it a�rms that all people are capable of
attaining enlightenment.
Individual enlightenment is grasped through
the profound realisation of the inseparability of
the individual and his spiritual and physical
environment, and his ability to powerfully
in�uence both. In this way, every individual
realises a personal responsibility for his own
condition and that of his immediate and distant
environments. Hence, implicit in the teachings
of Nichiren, is an understanding that society
blossoms as the individual blossoms.
The Soka Gakkai (Value Creation Society) was
founded in 1930 as a grassroots movement
based upon the philosophy of Nichiren
Buddhism. Its founder, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi,
and his closest associate, Josei Toda, were
imprisoned in 1943 because of their refusal to
compromise their beliefs and lend support to
the militaristic regime.
Makiguchi died in prison, but Toda was released
at the end of the war and immediately set about
rebuilding the Soka Gakkai. In 1960 his successor
and third president of the Soka Gakkai, Daisaku
Ikeda, made his �rst visit overseas and gradually
since then the Soka Gakkai has gained its
international dimension.
Having experienced the evils and destruction of
war personally, Daisaku lkeda is dedicated to
sharing with others the preciousness of life, and
the horrors of war. [The Human Revolution], the
series of novels by Daisaku Ikeda which tell the
story of the early years of the Soka Gakkai,
begins with "Nothing is more barbarous than
war, nothing more miserable.” A deep sense of
responsibility to change this unhappy tendency
of humankind informs all the activities of SGI.
Nichiren Buddhism emphasises the profound
connection between one’s own happiness and
the happiness of others. Thus the members of
SGI share a profound commitment to the
promotion of the values of peace, and respect
for humanity through culture and education.
history & philosophy
< • From left to right: The first three presidents of Soka Gakkai – Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda
^ • One of Shakyamuni teachings is the Lotus Sutra, and it is this writing which
Nichiren based his teaching upon in thirteenth century Japan
All SGI activities are based on theteachings and the individual practice
of the Buddhism of Nichiren.
how did it happen? what drives it?
Soka Gakkai Malaysia, in short SGM, was
established in 1984 with membership throughout
the country.
Members of SGM come from all walks of life. The
gatherings held in its centres and members'
homes throughout Malaysia, bring people
together to study Buddhist principles, and to
discuss how they can best be applied to the
challenges faced in their daily life. These
gatherings or discussion meetings act as a
platform where SGM members can share their
concerns and di�culties, their hopes and dreams.
Apart from their daily practice and their
individual pursuits, SGM members also organise
and participate in various events including
seminars and public lectures to address issues
facing individuals and the society. SGM
members are also involved in a wide range of
national and state cultural events, community
outreach programmes including charity drives
and blood donation campaigns.
The ultimate purpose of SGM members is to reveal
the creative potential of their lives not only for their
personal ful�lment, but also for the development
of a peaceful and harmonious society.
The construction of SGM culture centres
throughout Malaysia including Wisma
Kebudayaan SGM located in the heart of Kuala
Lumpur city centre are the physical
manifestations of such conviction and
commitment to peace.
Built through contributions from SGM members,
a wide range of cultural and educational
activities to promote peace are being held here
in these centres including exhibitions on arts,
calligraphy and photography. Many friendly
dialogues, cultural performances, public lectures
and discussion seminars are organised in pursuit
of human happiness and security. A number of
these events are international or bilateral
exchanges involving artists and scholars from
di�erent countries.
On February 27, 2004, SGM was awarded the
inaugural Anugerah Pendukung Seni (Arts
Supporter Award) by the Malaysian Ministry of
Culture, Arts and Tourism. The award, presented
by the Ministry of Culture, Art and Tourism, aims
to encourage and give due recognition to both
institutions and individuals who have
contributed to the development of arts and
culture in the country. SGM was the recipient for
the non-governmental organisation category.
On September 9, 2014, the National Unity and
Integration Department of the Prime Minister’s
Department presented SGM with the “Friends of
Unity” Award in recognition of SGM’s e�orts on
holding various activities to promote national
unity and harmony among the various ethnic
groups over the years.
View a video here on“Peace through Love;
Love through Harmony”one of our community activities
held at the SGM Headquarters
soka gakkai malaysiawhen was it established? what does it do locally?
^ • Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, the hub of our cultural and educational activities
in the heart of Kuala Lumpur
• ^ ‘Many in body, One in mind’ – The SGM family is united in their shared
aspiration for a more peaceful society
• Each SGM member strives to reveal the creative potential of his life
For this reason, although marked by ethnic,
linguistic, religious and traditional
characteristics, culture has the power to
transcend all such di�erences to strike a
common chord in the hearts of people of diverse
backgrounds.
SGM promotes and conducts cultural exchanges
and seeks to advance the search for common
values, such as forbearance and co-existence,
which are present in di�erent forms in all
cultures and traditions.
We believe that cultural exchange, while
enabling human beings to cultivate their
creative potential, is also the prime mover that
bridges the gaps between people and links
them together.
Art and music, products of human culture,
embody a language understood by all people.
Visual and performing artistic creations
engender a sense of unity and oneness among
people, thereby leading to the building of trust.
Through the common language of art and
music, we can see that people everywhere are
basically the same, with the same hopes and
desires, worries and dreams. Through the
fostering of such awareness of a common
humanity and a common fate, super�cial
di�erences such as ethnicity, religion and
language begin to dissolve in this sharing of
feelings and emotions.
Based on this conviction, SGM actively
participates as well as hosts a variety of art and
cultural activities. SGM was invited to perform in
international and national events like the 1998
Commonwealth Games opening ceremony,
Southeast Asian Games, Colours of Malaysia
(Citrawarna) and the National Day celebrations.
To promote friendship and harmony, SGM
organised goodwill cultural and community
events in many parts of the country. In addition,
SGM also held a variety of art exhibitions,
cultural performances, art lectures and
academic seminars.
humanism in action
^ • The Guitar Duo Katona Twins in Concert in KL at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM (September 2014)
<< • “The Rainbow Bridge of Friendship – Exhibition of Donated Artworks by Overseas Artists”at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM (November 2014)
< • “Y.E.S. Academy Live! Broadway Kuala Lumpur 2013” show at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM (June 2013)
• > SGM received the ‘Friends of Unity’ Award from the National Unity and Integration Departmentof the Prime Minister’s Department (September 2014)
why the emphasis on culture and education?what have culture and education got to do with peace?
Culture in a sense, is the vibrant expression of human life itself.
SGM received the ‘Arts Supporter Award’ from the Malaysian Ministry of Culture,
Arts and Tourism (February 2004)
Catch the Katona Twins In Concert here
Tadika Seri Soka in Malaysia was established in
1994 based on the methods and principles of
Soka Education �rst set out by Soka Gakkai
founding president, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
(1871-1944) in his book entitled Value Creating
Pedagogy. Makiguchi de�ned the main purpose
of education as the creation of values, for both
personal development and social good.
Based on a humanistic form of education, the
children at Tadika Seri Soka learn about the
diversity among races, ethnic groups and
cultures, and are taught to respect and value
those di�erences. The children are taught not
only the three languages of Bahasa Malaysia,
English and Chinese but also the importance of
developing con�dence, hope and friendship
through active interactions with other children.
The Soka education system is open to pupils from
all religious backgrounds, and the curriculum
does not include any religious content.
SGM members also believe that education is a
lifelong pursuit of self-awareness and
development of both wisdom and character.
Education nurtures our ability to think critically,
helps us make informed choices but most
importantly, it enhances our appreciation of life
in all its diversity.
Through a wide range of educational activities,
SGM seeks to foster awareness of the social and
environmental responsibilities we all share for
the future of our country, and by extension, our
precious planet Earth.
This is education in the broadest sense of the
word, and it is not limited to the classroom or to
any particular age group. Following the
establishment of Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, SGM
had organised a series of public lectures and
discussion forums covering subjects like
Dialogue Among Civilisations, Muslim-Buddhist
Dialogue and global ethics.
Based on the Buddhist concept of the unity of
life and its environment, SGM had also organised
and sponsored campaigns to educate people
about the need to preserve, and sensibly
co-exist with the Earth’s biosphere.
education
At the heart of the SGI movementfor peace is the ideal of education for
global citizenship.
• ^ Luxun Academic Lecture byMr. Huang Qiao Sheng, Deputy Director
of Beijing Lu Xun Museum(October 2013)
• “Peace & HarmoniousCoexistence” – An Islamic-Buddhist
Dialogue (April 2014)
• Children of Tadika Seri Soka learn through interactive games
SGM publishes a monthly publication Cosmic,
and twice-monthly publication Flow which are
subscribed by readers in Malaysia and overseas.
The contents of Cosmic centre on peace, culture,
education and contemporary issues, as well as
coverage of SGM activities while Flow publishes
articles on the philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism
and speeches given by SGI President Daisaku
Ikeda.
In collaboration with SGI, SGM also publishes a
variety of Daisaku Ikeda's books. These
publications aim to share new visions of
humanity in facing the realities of personal and
social issues in today's and tomorrow’s world.
Committed to inspire, inform, and educate both
its members and the wider public audience,
SGM and SGI publications o�er perspectives on
the Buddhist practice, dialogues on shared
global values, proposals for peace, children
literature and social commentaries,
as well as studies of
Nichiren Buddhism.
SGI President Daisaku Ikeda said, “Everything
begins from having respect for human dignity
and appreciating the inherent value of each
person’s life and the wonder of human
existence.”
By publishing and promoting books that
enhance the sanctity of life, SGM strives to
contribute to a world imbued with humanistic
values, and by extension, a peaceful and secured
planet Earth.
For more information on SGM publications,
please contact SGM Publications Department at
603-2141 2003 or email publication@sgm.org.my
publications
SGM publications o�er perspectiveon how Buddhist humanism and values
are applied to various issues in contemporary society.
main centresSGM Culture Centre
(Headquarters)
Lot 960, KM14Batu 9, Jalan Cheras, 43200 Selangor
Tel: (603) 9075-6876Fax: (603)9074-2413
E-mail: sgmcentre@sgm.org.my
Wisma Kebudayaan SGM243, Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: (603) 2144-8686Fax: (603)2144-8484
E-mail: sgmpro@sgm.org.my
o�cial websitesSoka Gakkai Malaysia
http://www.sgm.org.my
Soka Gakkai Internationalhttp://www.sgi.org
state branchesJohor1A (Lot 40272) Jalan Selatan 5O� Jalan Kempas Lama, Taman Selatan81200 Johor Bharu, Johor
Tel : (607) 556-5788Fax : (607) 556-7000E-mail : sgmj@sgm.org.my
Kedah55, Jalan Murai 2, Kompleks Alor MalaiBatu 2, Jln Langgar, 05460 Alor Setar, Kedah
Tel : (604)731-5067Fax : (604)731-5640E-mail : sgmkedah@sgm.org.my
Kelantan2678H, 1st Floor, Jalan Kuala Krai15050 Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Tel : (609)748-7499Fax : (609)744-6159E-mail : sgmkel@sgm.org.my
Kuala Lumpur22, Jalan Utara, O� Jalan Imbi55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : (603) 2141-6075Fax : (603) 2141-6075
MelakaNo.23, Jalan Paya IkanTaman Datuk Palembang75150 Bukit Baru, Melaka
Tel : (606)231-3519Fax : (606)231-3657E-mail : sgmmel@sgm.org.my
Negeri SembilanLot 9128, Jalan RJ 2/25Taman Rasah Jaya, 70300 SerembanNegeri Sembilan
Tel : (606)633-1588Fax : (606)633-1770E-mail : sgmns@sgm.org.my
PahangNo.129, Jalan Semambu25350 Kuantan, Pahang
Tel : (609)568-1329Fax : (609)567-2677E-mail : sgmphg@sgm.org.my
PerakNo.160, Jalan PegohTaman Lapangan Ria31650 Ipoh, Perak
Tel : (605)323-6588Fax : (605) 323-6587E-mail : sgmpk@sgm.org.my
Pulau Pinang190, Jalan Burmah10350 Pulau Pinang
Tel : (604)226-7080Fax : (604)226-5852E-mail : sgmpg@sgm.org.my
Pulau Pinang – Seberang Prai1748, Jalan Bukit Tambun MK 1414110 Simpang AmpatSeberang Prai Selatan, Penang
Tel : (604)502-2940Fax : (604)502-2942E-mail : sgmbtcc@sgm.org.my
SabahLot 5, LPPB Low Cost Housing SchemeJalan Tuaran By-Pass, Inanam888450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Tel : (6088)381-340Fax : (6088)381-285E-mail : sgmsabah@sgm.org.my
SarawakLot 126, Lrg Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim 593450 Kuching, Sarawak
Tel : (6082)332-033Fax : (6082)338-033E-mail : sgmswk@sgm.org.my
SelangorLot 23686, Jalan Selampit 29Taman Klang Jaya41200 Klang, Selangor
Tel : (603)3324-3120Fax : (603)3324-3118E-mail : sgmsgor@sgm.org.my
TerengganuLot 1595, Taman Seri DesaBukit Cendering21080 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
Tel : (609)617-4769Fax : (609)617-1936E-mail : sgmtrg@sgm.org.my
locationsgm culture centres
Take a tour ofSGM Culture Centres
in Malaysia
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