Welcome to the website of the Laurel District SGI-USA members! SGI, or the Soka Gakkai International, is an organization of Nichiren Buddhists.
The SGI is based on the teachings and philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism, which places the highest emphasis on the sanctity of life. Members seek, through their practice of Buddhism, to develop the ability to live with confidence, to create value in any circumstance and to contribute to the well-being of friends, family and community.
Our philosophy is rooted in the concept of “human revolution,” a process of inner transformation through Buddhist practice. It is a process that leads us to develop our character and to act not only for our personal fulfillment but also for the betterment of society.
We believe that happiness is being able to experience profound joy that comes from never being defeated by any problem in life. In fact, we use lifes challenges as catalysts to deepen and expand our inner lives. True happiness results from our efforts to manifest our highest potential — wisdom, compassion, courage and vitality.
The SGI-USA is the American branch of the SGI network, with more than 2,600 neighborhood discussion groups and nearly 100 SGI-USA centers throughout the country.
The core activity for all SGI-USA members is the neighborhood discussion meeting. These informal gatherings bring people together for Buddhist prayer, study, sharing and discussion of ways Buddhism can be applied to the challenges of daily living.
