Young Men’s Division Commemorates 75th Anniversary, Advances Resolutely towards 18 November Goal

To mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Soka Gakkai young men’s division (YMD), SGM held its nationwide YMD commemorative meeting on 11 July 2026 at the SGM Culture Centre. The meeting was simultaneously livestreamed to 33 venues nationwide, with over 700 participants in attendance. YMD members gathered in high spirits to celebrate this milestone.

During the meeting, SGM YMD leader Siow Yoon Kee delivered a lecture on how to attain absolute happiness. Referring to the “Six Stages of Practice” expounded by Nichiren Daishonin, he encouraged members to face life’s difficulties with courage and continually elevate their life state through chanting and Buddhist practice, transforming adversity into a source of growth and progress.

SGM youth division leader Tan Jun Kong shared stories of President Ikeda’s struggles as a young man in Osaka, encouraging participants to embody the stand-alone spirit, willingly shoulder their mission and become pioneers of kosen-rufu in the new era.

Yat Yu Dong from Negeri Sembilan and Kong Yih Hern from Kuala Lumpur Wilayah State also shared their personal experiences of overcoming challenges and rediscovering hope through chanting and engaging in Buddhist dialogue. Their experiences demonstrated the transformative power of Nichiren Buddhism in bringing happiness to both oneself and others, resonating deeply with the audience.

In his closing encouragement, SGM men’s division leader Looi Chee Choong urged members to regard the commemorative meeting as a new starting point. He encouraged them to uphold the spirit of “Take the Lead, Achieve Victory!” and inspire more youth to advance towards achieving the 8,000-youth shakubuku campaign goal by 18 November.

Reported by Sim Dong Liang, photographed by Beh Huai Jian, Chang Chung Jun, Shaun Tye, Tan Boon Keong, Tan Chew Men, Tan Yok Kwee and Vivian Chong