Founder Sends Congratulatory Messages to Soka University and Soka Schools Entrance Ceremonies
New incoming Soka University students taking a stroll on campus grounds
On April 2, 2023, Soka University of Japan and Soka Women’s College held their respective 53rd and 39th entrance ceremonies at the central auditorium on the Soka University campus in Hachioji, Tokyo.
Several other Soka education institutions also held entrance ceremonies in March and April: the Soka Schools and Soka Elementary Schools in Tokyo and Kansai as well as the Sapporo Soka Kindergarten in Hokkaido on April 8; the Malaysia Soka Kindergarten on March 20; and the Soka Happiness Kindergarten in Seoul, South Korea, on March 3.
In a congratulatory message to the students of Soka University and Soka Women’s College, the founder, Daisaku Ikeda, noted that 2023 marks a hundred years since his mentor, Josei Toda, established the private school Jishu Gakkan. Mr. Ikeda described this establishment as constituting the origin of Soka (value-creating) education and called on students “who will create the next glorious one hundred years of Soka education: Learn and challenge yourselves in the great school of the universe! Engage in dialogue to build a great solidarity of global citizens!”
Entrance ceremony for the 56th incoming class at the Soka Schools in Tokyo
Remarking
that his mentor found joy in learning amidst any adversity, Mr. Ikeda
encouraged the students to “think of the universe as your great school; look
with fresh and keen eyes of inquiry at everything—from the sky above you and
the human society before you, to the little wild flowers and plants at your
feet—and challenge yourselves to create value . . . developing within your
lives wisdom that is as boundless as the universe.”
To the
students of the Soka Schools and Soka Elementary Schools, Mr. Ikeda emphasized that Soka education places the highest confidence in the
enthusiasm and energy of youth, telling them: “When you continue to cultivate
wisdom and persevere in your efforts with an indomitable spirit, without being
impatient or daunted, you can accomplish great things that make the impossible
possible.”
To the kindergarteners, Mr. Ikeda offered
short guiding principles or “mottoes.” To the 48th class of the Sapporo
kindergarten: “Let’s go to bed early and get up early, let’s get along with
friends, and let’s keep trying with a never-give-up spirit;” to the 29th class
of the kindergarten in Malaysia: “Let’s greet each other with vigor, let’s get
along with our friends, and let’s learn joyfully and pleasantly;” and to the
16th class of the kindergarten in Seoul: “Let’s give cheerful greetings, let’s
get along with our friends, and let’s develop the heart to not be defeated by
anything.”
[Adapted
from articles in the March 16, April 3, April 8 and April 9, 2023, issues of
the Seikyo
Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan]
