This month is a very special month for Nepal SGI. August 24, 2019 is the 72nd anniversary of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda joined the Soka Gakkai as the disciple of the Second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda. To commemorate this historic month, NSGI Men’s Division 20th General Meeting was held on August 17, 2019 at Nepal SGI Peace Centre, Kalanki.
78 powerful MD members including 3 members from Pokhara attended the meeting to celebrate the August 24, Men’s day. They were cheerfully supported by 70 WD and Youth members.
To ensure a successful meeting, over the previous month the Men’s division carried out a campaign of weekly meetings conducted in each chapter, along with extensive home visitation and study specially selected for the Men’s division. Svetkamal Chapter Block Leader Mr. Laxman Dangol and Sayapatri chapter leader Mr. Gunja lama reported wonderful victories during the one month campaign. Chanting and making efforts to connect with the entire MD and talking with many others in accord with our mentor’s teachings, they shared their joy of bringing back 5 old members who joined in meetings after many years. Happily, 9 new members joined the SGI during this one month campaign.
This one month campaign helped to form a strong spirit of unity among the Men’s division towards the goal of Kosen Rufu, and to achieve the goal of inviting 500 Bodhisattvas of the Earth to join in Nepal SGI’s 5th General Meeting to be held on December 2019.
8 members powerfully shared their experiences and 4 members recited their short poems based on the theme “The Power of One”. Each member’s experience was filled with gratitude which portrays the actual proof of prayer and how to fight, never losing hope. In his experience, confronting sufferings and winning time and again Mr. Navin Pradhan concluded his sharing by a quote of the Irish novelist Oliver Goldsmith “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
When “I’ll never be able to do that” is transformed into “I can do it”; they were able to break through the walls of self-imposed limitations. Experiences rolled on one after the next and showed the power of transformation which lies within the heart of everyone. Their individual victories showed there is hope for the prevailing mood of powerlessness in our country today. The hall thrilled with an appreciation for their wonderful victories.
Filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of this historic meeting, district coordinator Khub Bahadur Baral presented his full report for Machhapuchhre district in Pokhara. The meetings there are now conducted regularly in an increasingly joyful spirit, he said. Addressing the meeting in high spirits, District Leader Mr. Dhurba Lal Pradhan was very excited while sharing SGI President Daisaku Ikeda’s journey of faith. His lifelong dedication for world peace and happiness was lauded by the people, and benefitted the whole world, he said.
Next, Men’s Division Chief, Mr. Navin Manandhar spoke about the power of one, which is the power of hope and how a single individual can show the power of change. He urged every individual to bring a positive change from within so that we can improve not only our present situations, but also leave a better world for future generations. He suggested a simple yet profound determination for all to carry out this year. He said our daily morning and evening gongyo, reading the Gosho and studying sensei’s guidance should be carried out without fail. Our weekly determinations will be; 1-hour daimoku for peace and 1home visit. Our monthly determinations are one victory experience, 1% contribution of total income and 1 new dialogue. He requested each one to subscribe to one Himali Shanti, shakubuku one friend and prepare one paper presentation in a year. In addition to this, he encouraged all 4 divisions to become a member of the one-hour daimoku club doing minimum one-hour daimoku every day to deepen their faith.
Finally, the General Director stepped on to the stage accompanied by great cheers from the Men’s division after their magnificent victory. The power of one comes from the belief that you are right. He said.
All members left the hall for a commemorative photograph in a vibrant spirit. The cheerful faces were captured in photos but the gathering of many in body one in mind determined to stand affirm as golden pillars were deeply consolidated in the heart of members to shoulder the responsibility of widening Kosenrufu movement in Nepal.
