On Oct. 7, at the 38th
Headquarters Leaders Meeting in Tokyo, the SGI theme for next year was
announced: "Raising the Curtain on the 21st Century -- The Year of Youth."
In his speech, SGI President Ikeda explains how "in the Gosho, Nichiren
Daishonin writes, 'Anger can be either good or evil' (Gosho Zenshu, p.
584). Being fired up with anger toward evil and injustice constitutes
good. When we no longer have this blazing anger toward iniquity, it is a
sign that we have lost our commitment to justice and truth. It signals
spiritual death. There is no benefit, no joy, no happiness in the hearts
of those who are spiritually dead. To fight passionately against
injustice, to rebuke, attack, and condemn it to the end -- this is
Buddhism and the correct path of humanity. In the early, pioneering days
of our movement, our members eagerly went out and fought pitched battles
of words with unjust and corrupt individuals. They brimmed with fighting
spirit. Someone commented to me just the other day: 'Our youth division
has grown extremely subdued and passive of late, and we have people among
the top women’s division leaders who act as if they’re royalty. By
comparison, the pioneer members of the Many Treasures Group are far more
lively and vigorous; they are like youth in the very best sense!' As we
move into the 21st century, let us make our organization blaze afresh with
the true Soka Gakkai spirit!" Part 1 of his speech will appear in the Oct.
29 World Tribune. For information on subscribing to the World Tribune,
call 1-800-835-4558 or e-mail SGISUBS@aol.com.

 The student division is now in the process of making
a joint resolution about the temple issue. We suggest that you have a
student division meeting in your area to discuss the following three
questions. These are the same questions that nationwide representatives
discussed in Los Angeles in September:

1) How aware am I about the temple issue in general? Am I aware of any
temple activities on or near my campus? Am I aware of the misinformation
being spread by the temple about the SGI either in print or on the Web? Do
I fully understand the crux of the issue and why I personally need to
protect the purity of Nichiren Daishonin's teachings?

2) What have I done to better inform myself about the issue? What does the
issue mean to me? Do I know how to refute the erroneous positions being
spread by the temple? In other words, what approaches or techniques can I
personally use to stand up for the truth? And what lessons can I draw from
my education or life that have prepared me to protect the Daishonin's
Buddhism?

3) What types of activities should the student division do in the region
and on the campuses about this issue? In other words, given this
opportunity to develop a resolution from the student division to SGI
President Ikeda, what specific actions can we pledge to take as
individuals and as the student division in our respective areas?

After your discussion, send your ideas about what you want to do to Jeff
Farr at jfarr@sgi-usa.org. If it's difficult to gather as a group, you can
communicate via e-mail and phone to get all the students' input. We want
to receive everyone's thoughts by Friday, Nov. 5, then compile them into a
resolution to present to President Ikeda for Nov. 18, Soka Gakkai Founding
Day. We'll also publish the resolution in Student Waves. If you have any
questions, please e-mail Jeff Farr.