Humanity's concerns and Buddhism's vision

(Oklahoma City, OK) - The SGI-USA Oklahoma Buddhist Center will host a community dialogue on climate change, racism and nuclear abolition, "Our new clear future: Humanity's concerns and Buddhism's vision” on Saturday, August 8th from 11am – 2pm. 

All are invited to engage in meaningful conversation about these global topics dominating the headlines today. Climate change, racism and nuclear abolition emerged as focus points at the 2015 US Buddhist Leadership Conference, an inaugural event, held at the White House last May 14th. Members of SGI-USA Oklahoma were inspired and determined to hold a community conversation in Oklahoma linked to global humanitarian concerns and Buddhist principles for peace. “We wanted to have a meaningful event on or near the 70th anniversary of the Atomic Bomb being dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan on August 6, 1945. We realized that holding this kind of community dialogue could really get people thinking about how they can make a difference from right where they are now! ” stated Jay Hollenbeck, an SGI-USA Oklahoma Men's Leader.

"Our New Clear Future" will be held at the SGI-USA Oklahoma Buddhist Center, 817 NW 12th St, in between Classen and Shartel in Oklahoma City, OK 73106. Guests of all ages are welcome to join in the discussion. Youth activities will be a part of the program. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments provided. For more information about the event and/or directions to the center, call (405) 947-1101.

Soka Gakkai International-USA (SGI-USA) is the most diverse Buddhist community in the United States with more than 500 chapters and some 100 centers throughout the country. SGI-USA is part of the larger SGI network, which comprises more than 12 million people in 192 countries and territories around the world. SGI members base their practice on the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Buddhism, which teaches that each person has within the courage, wisdom and compassion to face and surmount any of life’s challenges. Based on core Buddhist principles such as respecting the dignity of human life and the interconnectedness of self and the environment, SGI engages in various peace activities, including human rights education, the movement to abolish nuclear weapons and efforts to promote sustainable development.

Current SGI President, Daisaku Ikeda, is a described as a peacebuilder, prolific writer, poet and educator as well as the founder of a number of cultural, educational and peace research institutions around the world. As third president of the Soka Gakkai (Value-Creating Society) and founder of the Soka Gakkai International, Daisaku Ikeda has developed and inspired what may be the largest, most diverse international lay Buddhist association in the world today. Based on the 700-year-old tradition of Nichiren Buddhism, the movement is characterized by its emphasis on individual empowerment and social engagement to advance peace, culture and education.

The Gayly – August 2, 2015 @ 2pm.