23nd Nov 2008
The day celebrating the magnificent ceremony of N-SGI 14th General Meeting finally arrived on 22nd Nov Saturday at our Nepal Peace Centre. This day is much awaited every year as it encourages every member to take a new determination, a fresh vow and with a joyful spirit to move forward with greater conviction in the coming year.
The gathering of cheerful members from different cities like Pokhara and Hetauda along with members from Kathmandu at N-SGI Peace Centre added glory and enthusiasm to the meeting. It seemed like the Himalayas was brimming with happiness to see such joyful faces and spirit of members. From Pokhara and Hetauda altogether 30 members participated including 3 small children. The participating members numbered 250.
After vibrant gongyo and diamoku, the meeting started with the song, "Crimson dawn of peace" which was sung by youth division members. It was followed by a very energetic dance of 'Marching forward.'
Then, the HQ Chief Mrs. Anjali Basnet gave a welcome speech. 
She reminded everyone about the theme 'Year of Youth and Victory' for the year 2009. The theme selected by N-SGI for 2009 is 'Lets everyone of us become a Victor'. She encouraged everyone that those who move forward with a youthful spirit at any age can be truly called a youth. She also added that we shouldn't lose the spirit to challenge obstacles and hardships throughout life.
The welcome speech was followed by heartwarming Sensei's message read out by MD chief Mr. Sagar Thapa. Through the message Sensei congratulated everyone on commemoration of 78th Soka Gakkai Day along with the 14th General Meeting. In Sensei's words, those who move forward along the path shown by Nichiren Daishonin with deep conviction to spread the teachings of Lotus Sutra will be able to live life equivalent to Nichiren Daishonin.
The guidance full of compassion by Sensei was followed by an experience shared by a WD member Mrs. Rita Shrestha. She suffered from the first stage of breast cancer. But she continued doing diamoku for 1 hr each day as well as participated in Gakkai activities and never gave up. Now she has completed her chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy and has overcome her disease and is leading a fulfilling life. Another experience was also from a WD member Mrs. Hasina Biswokarma. She also was suffering from some mental problems as well as financial problems which she overcame through deep faith and 1-2 hrs diamoku everyday. She shared her victory over her ignorance and the devilish forces through her strong ichinen to overcome and lead a kosen rufu family. Such experiences really touched the heart of everyone.
The program was followed by Gohonzon Conferring Ceremony, conducted by GD Mrs. Sahana Shrestha to 4 members. There was also announcement of newly appointed Byakurens and Sokahans, LaliGurans (This is a new group formed from WD members. who will take care of the cleanliness of the centre. It is named after the red flower which is our national flower and grows in the mountains. ) and Soka Himal (they are also new group from MDs who will take the responsibility of the maintenance of the centre. It is named after the strong and lofty range of the mountains.) Along with this there was also appointment of new District leaders.
The program was followed by GD Mrs. Sahana Shrestha sharing the determination of the year. The determinations of N-SGI are as follows:
1) Fostering youths : the batons of Kosenrufu
2) Strengthening the districts: the platforms of kosenrufu
3) Expanding circles of friendship; the waves of kosenrufu
4) Enhance publications: the milestones of Kosenrufu
5) Promote activities: the joys of Kosenrufu
The determinations presented by Mrs. Sahana Shrestha really opened a path for fulfilling the dreams of kosen rufu throughout the country. She also encouraged everyone by saying that we should try to make every single person happy through ND Buddhism.
After this, our respected guest Dr. Akash K Ouchi conferred the Sagarmatha Award Ceremony. The award was given to those members who gave maximum contribution to kosen rufu throughout the year. It was given to two WD members Mrs. Nayana Ranjit and Mrs. Laxmi Bajracharya.
Dr. Akash K Ouchi participated in the meeting and gave us chance to reflect on our practice through his lecture and wise answers to questions. Dr. Akash K Ouchi's guidance focused on that Nam-myo-ho renge-kyo gives power to fight against negative forces or fundamental darkness of life by manifesting the Buddha nature. He added that looking up at the majestic Himalayas is like looking up to the mentor or we can say it is like looking at Nichiren Daishonin with the determination of never to be defeated. He also added that today's General meeting is a fresh starting point for 2010. He also encouraged everybody to advance vigorously for 2010 and achieve total victory. Such a valuable guidance full of heartwarming compassion added to the determination and conviction of members attending the meeting.
After the guidance, there was an outdoor program at the garden where three trees were planted and were given the names of Tsunesaburo Magikuchi, Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda respectively. Dr. Ouchi, GD Sahana Shrestha and HQ Chief Anjali Basnet did the honour by watering them. It was really a memorable moment where it gave a feeling like all the three great mentors were counting on us for achieving the dream of kosen rufu.
In this way, through continuous and valiant efforts of all the members, the general meeting ended giving a fresh spirit and determinations to fight for worldwide kosen rufu which is a noble dream of Sensei.
