SGINZ

Leadership Manual

Updated May 2021

Contents

Sensei’s Message – shortcut

SGINZ Structure – shortcut

Leaders Responsibilities – shortcut

• SGI Leaders Guidelines
• All Leaders Responsibilities
• Level Leadership Responsibilities
• New Leadership Appointment Process
• Forming New Organisational Units
• Changes in Leadership Status

Membership – shortcut

• Becoming a SGINZ Member
• Children’s and Family Memberships.
• Omamori Gohonzons
• Conferral Process and Speech Points

Membership Lists – shortcut

• Meeting Statistics
• Membership Lists
• Submission of the membership list
• Who is listed in membership list [status of membership]
• Leader’s living outside their District
• Members moving into the District membership list
• Members Moving out of the District membership list



Sensei’s Message

To my beloved fellow members of SGI-New Zealand,

Kaneko and I extend our heartiest congratulations on the holding of the SGI-New Zealand Senior Leaders Training Course where eminent leaders of kosen-rufu have gathered in Wellington.

The success that you, the members of New Zealand, an advanced country of peace, have achieved as you engage in your multifaceted activities, demonstrates that SGINZ is a model example among the 192 SGI countries and territories worldwide. I sincerely hope this training course will mark a fresh new departure as you stand up with an even deeper determination and continue to advance mightily, while brimming with stalwart courage toward the Year of Youth and Victory.

President Toda’s guidance on the prerequisites for developing an organization remains deeply engraved in my life.

He said first, the members of the organization must be “perfectly united with the spirit of many in body, one in mind” and share a “beautiful camaraderie based on the oneness of mentor and disciple.” Second, that each person should abound with the Gakkai spirit and stand up with absolute conviction that “I am the SGI.” All of you have set an example for the world. Please eternally safeguard your solid unity. Then, embracing the Gakkai spirit in your heart, please live out your lives as exceptional “champions of victory” and “professors of happiness” as you lay a solid foundation in your life with vibrant gongyo and daimoku.

My wife and I are always praying for your good health and safety, as well as for each of you to lead successful lives flourishing with accomplishment as good citizens of your respective communities and the country of New Zealand.

Upon your return home, please convey our warmest regards to your family and local members. Please stay hale and hearty!

Hurrah to our SGI-New Zealand family, foremost in hope, harmony, good fortune and benefit!

November 29, 2008

Daisaku and Kaneko Ikeda



SGINZ Structure

Introduction

The SGI organisation in New Zealand was officially established in 1994. Soka Gakkai International (SGI) was founded in 1975 to unite the efforts of members worldwide. All of the SGI’s activities are devoted to the promotion of peace, culture and education, based on the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin.

The Preamble to the Charter of the Soka Gakkai International states: “We believe that Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, a humanistic philosophy of infinite respect for the sanctity of life and all-encompassing compassion, enables individuals to cultivate and bring forth their inherent wisdom and, nurturing the creativity of the human spirit, to surmount the difficulties and crises facing humankind and realize a society of peaceful and prosperous coexistence.”

Groups

To be able to best support each SGINZ member our organisation is organised into ‘Groups’ these are the:

Future Group:

• Future Group (0-10 years old)
• Unlimited Horizon Group (11-14 years old)

Youth Group:

• Young Women (Women 15-40 years)
• Young Men (Men 15-40 years)
• Students (Tertiary students)

Women’s Group  (Women 40+, Mothers & graduates from Young Women’s)

Men’s Group  (Men 40+, Fathers & graduates from Young Men’s)

Special Groups

Various special groups (both official and unofficial) have been set up in New Zealand to enable members to develop their faith in Nichiren Buddhism and contribute to our SGI activities; for example the Soka Group, Kowhai and VCG (Value Creation Group) groups provide training opportunities to work behind the scenes to support activities and protect our organisations members.

Organisation

Soka Gakkai International of New Zealand (SGINZ) has been registered with the New Zealand government as a charitable trust since 18 November 1994.

Trustees

A Board of Trustees is appointed by SGI. The trustees are responsible for all legal and financial aspects of the organisation.

General Director

A General Director is appointed by SGI to lead the organisation. The General Director is also a trustee.

National Planning Committee (NPC)

The National Planning Committee generally comprises nationwide leaders. The committee holds monthly meetings to plan and coordinate nationwide activities and to process appointments and new applications presented. Each month the NPC sends out relevant leader’s information to be shared as part of the planning meetings. Leaders and members are able to raise any relevant events or issues etc. to the NPC through their Group’s national representative.

General structure

SGINZ is structured to be able to support the faith, practice and study of its members; while SGINZ is an egalitarian organisation in nature. The general structure is presented from National to Group for ease of understanding.

Public Relations (PR) Department

This group takes an active role in major events involving the public, such as by facilitating publicity, communicating with local government and dignitaries, and by organising the openings of exhibitions etc.

Study Department

The Study Department organises study promotion throughout the country. Key activities include regular study presentations, providing support for SGINZ training courses, providing study materials to encourage members’ faith and practice and holding study examinations to encourage us in our study of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.

Tai Aronui Team

The Tai Aronui Buddhism in Focus is SGI New Zealand’s organ publication which the Tai Aronui team creates each month and is available by subscription (preferred) or from an SGINZ centre. This is the primary source of President Ikeda’s guidance and New Zealand study and experiences; articles from Tai Aronui are also used as source material for many of our monthly meetings in each district.

Celebrants

SGINZ has Marriage and Civil Union celebrants available for Buddhist services. At least one member of the couple must be an SGINZ member. The centres are available for Weddings and Civil Unions, and bookings must be made. Local district leaders and members should support the couple.

SGINZ does not currently have dedicated Funeral Celebrants, but the centres are available for Memorial Services. Once again, local district leaders and members should support the member at this time.

Donations

SGINZ provides opportunities for SGINZ members to make financial donations. These are completely voluntary, and members are encouraged to use common sense when making them. General donations can be made at any time. Commemorative Donation periods are twice yearly, in May and November. Donations can be made at a local centre and online. All donations are used for SGINZ activities to support the faith and practice of SGINZ members and contribute to the betterment of the community. SGINZ accepts donations by members only. Please refer to the “Joy of Offering” booklet.

SGINZ Facilities

Centres are established in various areas to provide facilities for organisational activities:

• SGI New Zealand Culture Centre
  • 40 Eaglehurst Road,
  • PO Box 11968 Ellerslie, Auckland.
  • Email: info@sginz.org

Centres are also in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. See website www.sginz.org for details.

Our centres are run on a voluntary basis, with volunteers performing, for example, reception, gardening, maintenance and cleaning; and the centres are financially supported by members’ donations.

Policy/Criteria to use Centres for a Non-SGI related purpose:

• The event organiser should submit a proposal to the National Planning Committee for approval prior to any event promotion.
• The event usage should be in line with the SGI charter (Peace, Culture & Education purposes).
• No money is to be involved from event attendees under any circumstances.
• The organiser will arrange a koha to SGINZ if applicable.
• Note: SGINZ activities have priority for Centre usage.



Leaders Responsibilities

SGI Leaders Guidelines

The SGI promotes correct faith, practice and study based on the humanism of Buddhism and the guidance of the first three presidents, with the aim of accomplishing world peace and contributing to the happiness of all humankind.

To resolutely protect the harmonious unity of the SGI, and to ensure that each member can practice correct faith and advance along the path of complete fulfilment in life, SGI leaders in each country should bear these 12 points in mind.

1. Maintain a harmonious organisation based on mutual consent.
2. Conduct steady propagation activities based on established SGI membership guidelines, while encouraging new members’ growth in faith.
3. Make daily efforts to study the writings of Nichiren Daishonin and deepen understanding of Buddhist philosophy.
4. Study the guidance of SGI President Ikeda.
5. Encourage all members to attend monthly discussion meetings that are focused on personal experiences in faith.
6. Cherish the youth and foster successors.
7. Promote unity, taking care to respect the opinions of women.
8. Promote activities to disassociate followers from the Nikken Sect.
9. Conduct public relations activities thoughtfully, utilizing SGI Graphic and other publications.
10. Contribute to the community as model citizens.
11. Those who invite criticism or cause trouble to the membership as a result of engaging in irresponsible financial dealings, sexual misconduct or the like, shall be subject to dismissal from their positions of leadership and removal from the organisation.
12. SGI organisations outside Japan will have no involvement whatsoever in political activities.

All Leaders Responsibilities

Communication

Communication is the lifeblood of leadership. As leaders we should take action to communicate with our members and other leaders by:

1. Communicating the activity schedule and information to members. It is from the leadership line to the Rōpū Leader from which members receive much of their information about upcoming activities.
2. Encouraging members’ participation in activities; especially district discussion meetings.
3. Communicating with the leaders we share a responsibility with – for example our vice leader, the other Rōpū leaders in our Rōpū, the other District leaders in our District.
4. Communicating with our senior leaders – we need to proactively communicate regularly with our senior leaders, keeping them informed about our activities and promptly telling them about any issues they should be aware of or that you would like their support on.

Teamwork

Work together with the other leaders to organise and hold SGI meetings, taking full responsibility for kosen-rufu in the local area as a team. It is recommended that each level leadership team meets once a month to discuss planning and the progress of the district.

Planning

Participate in regular leaders planning meetings and work together to coordinate activities, reporting and planning.

Publications

Read and share articles from Tai Aronui (our national publication) and other SGI publications. Promote subscriptions to, and reading of Tai Aronui.

Level Leadership Responsibilities

In addition to general leaders responsibilities each leadership level has specific responsibilities.

‘Senior Leaders’ referred to are Area, Region, or National level Leaders.

Note: These guidelines should be applied with flexibility according to the situation.

Rōpū Leaders (formally Group)

The primary role of Rōpū Leaders is to visit and encourage your Group’s members in the Rōpū.

• Encourage members in “faith equals daily life.” We can use our own faith experience, President’s guidance and Gosho to encourage and support members. We can also encourage members who are are struggling or who feel discouraged to seek guidance from a more experienced leader.
• Foster friendships with Rōpū members through communication and visits.
• Accompany District leaders from your Group on home visits to encourage members.
• Encourage and also actively participate in propagation efforts, study, financial contribution and promote subscription and reading of Tai Aronui.

District Leaders

The primary role of the District Leader is to coordinate district activities with other leaders and support your Group’s Rōpū Leaders and members.

• Home visit and support your Group’s Rōpū Leaders in fulfilling their responsibilities, with emphasis on Rōpū meetings and home visits. Also foster capable Rōpū Leaders.
• Home visit members from your Group, with Rōpū (or Area) leaders where possible.
• Encourage members in “faith equals daily life.” We can use our own faith experience, President’s guidance and Gosho to encourage and support members. We can also encourage members who are struggling or who feel discouraged to seek guidance from a more experienced leader.
• Assist and communicate with your Group’s Area Leader.
• Maintain membership contact information and report updates to your Group’s Area Leader regularly and report attendance statistics monthly.
• Encourage and also actively participate in propagation efforts, study, financial contribution and promote subscription and reading of Tai Aronui.

Area Leaders (formally Chapter)

The primary role of the Area Leader is to support the districts within the Area and coordinate planning and activities with other leaders and support your Group’s leaders and members.

• Communicate, coordinate, plan and implement any activities held on an Area basis such as general meetings with other Area Leaders.
• Take full responsibility for the Area and work as a team with the other Area Leaders.
• Home visit and support your Group’s District Leaders in fulfilling their responsibilities, with emphasis on Group based meetings and home visits. Also foster capable leaders.
• Provide guidance in faith to your Group members in your Area.
• Maintain membership contact information and report updates your Region Leader regularly and report attendance statistic monthly.
• Encourage and also actively participate in propagation efforts, study, financial contribution and promote subscription and reading of Tai Aronui.
• Support and attend group and district meetings.

Region Leaders (formally General Chapter)

The primary role of the Region Leader is to support the Areas and Districts within the Region and coordinate planning and activities with other leaders and support your Group’s leaders and members.

• Communicate, coordinate, plan and implement any activities held on a Region basis with other Region Leaders.
• Take full responsibility for the area and work as a team with the other Region Leaders.
• Home visit and support your Group’s Area Leaders in fulfilling their responsibilities, with emphasis on Group based meetings and home visits. Also foster capable Group leaders.
• Provide guidance in faith to your Group’s members.
• Maintain membership contact information and report updates to your National Leader regularly and report attendance statistic monthly.
• Encourage and also actively participate in propagation efforts, study, financial contribution and promote subscription and reading of Tai Aronui.
• Support and attend group and district meetings.

National Leaders (formally HQ)

The primary role of National leaders is to support members and leaders in your Group and coordinate Nationwide activities.

• Communicate, coordinate, plan and implement any activities held on a National basis with other National leaders. Carry out long-range activity planning
• Take full responsibility for the area and work as a team with the other area leaders.
• Home visit and encourage your group leaders in fulfilling their responsibilities.
• Emphasise Group based meetings and home visits. Also foster capable leaders.
• Provide guidance in faith to your groups members and leaders.
• Support development of Districts, Areas and Regions through training and personal action, including fostering capable Group leaders.
• Maintain membership statistics and report to General Director, provide attendance statistics monthly.
• Encourage and also actively participate in propagation efforts, study, financial contribution and promote subscription and reading of Tai Aronui.
• Support and attend Group and District meetings.
• Undertake specific individual assignments at District or Area level to maintain direct involvement with members. Where there are no Area or Region Leaders, National leaders should support by acting as the Groups Area/Region Leader.
• Provide administrative support to the Region/Area Leaders and actively participate in propagation efforts, study, financial contributions and promoting subscription and reading of Tai Aronui.
• Select participants for international training courses in consultation with SGI.
• Communicate with President Ikeda regularly.

New Leadership Appointment Process

Appointment Guidelines

When making leadership appointments we should consider:

• The best solution for the sake of the members
• How to provide more effective support to members’ practice of faith
• The best role for the person being considered as a leader
• Leaders should be placed where they can make the greatest contribution; taking into consideration each person’s unique character, capability and potential in relation to supporting members’ faith and working with other leaders.
• Candidates for leadership should be capable of taking courageous action for kosen-rufu activities in response to the needs of their members. However, we should consider each candidate’s individual time constraints, family situation, financial condition and personal health.
• The best for the organisation overall.
• Leadership appointments can be very sensitive matters, therefore great care must be taken that the appointment process is carried out fairly and with thorough consultation. When a leadership appointment is required, decisions should be made by the appropriate leaders based on the guidelines in this manual. Decisions should be made fairly and free of favouritism or prejudice.
• Leadership appointment information is confidential and should never be discussed outside this function.
• Major organisational changes should be made together at the same time in order to minimize disruption.
• In general it is desirable that leaders are promoted sequentially through the leadership levels, that is, from the Rōpū Leader to district, district to Area and so on.

All potential leaders should be:

• Doing gongyo and chanting daimoku.
• Regularly attending meetings.
• Subscribing to the Focus.
• Determined to embrace the Gohonzon throughout our lives.
• Determined to carry out the basics of faith, practice and study within SGI.

Appointing New Leaders

On the recommendation of SGI, SGINZ has established a leadership appointment process and Personnel Committee. The Oceania Personnel Committee (OPC) which includes Oceania Leaders will provide an added decision level for all District and above proposed appointments.

	Proposed by	Recommendation (1)	Recommendation (2)	Decided by
Rōpū	District	Area		Region (+Inform NPC)
District	Area	Region	NPC	OPC
Area	Region	NPC		OPC
Region	NPC	OPC	–	SGI Japan
National	General Director	OPC	–	SGI Japan

The appointment proposal and decision making process will be as follows:

Rōpū Leader appointments

1. District Leaders recommend the appointment to the Area Leaders
2. Area Leaders recommend the appointment to the Region Leaders
3. Region Leaders make the decision about the appointment.

District Leader appointments

1. Area Leaders recommend the appointment to the Region Leaders
2. Region Leaders recommend the appointment to the National Leaders
3. National Leaders presents the proposal to the Oceania Personnel Committee
4. Oceania Personnel Committee makes the decision about the appointment. (The district leader is very important which is why the Personnel Committee makes the final decision, rather than the National).

Area Leader appointments

1. Region Leaders recommend the appointment to the National Leaders
2. National Leaders recommend the appointment to the Oceania Personnel Committee
3. Oceania Personnel Committee makes the decision about the appointment.

Region Leader Appointments

1. National Leaders recommend the appointment to the Oceania Personnel Committee
2. OceaniaPersonnel Committee recommends the appointment to SGI Japan
3. SGI Japan makes the decision about the appointment.

National Leaders can make proposals to the Oceania Personnel Committee via email and need to include a realistic timeframe. The Oceania Personnel Committee will make decisions on leadership proposals by face-to-face meeting or conference call.

Process for Appointing New Leaders

• Consultation

1. 1. Proposal level Group’s leader discuss idea to appoint new leader within own Group, up to National (for example, the proposal for a new Young Men’s Rōpū Leader is discussed within the Young Men’s leaders from the relevant district leader to the Young Men’s National Leader
   2. If all support, proceed to proposal
   3. Keep the proposal confidential

• Proposal

1. 1. Proposal level Group’s leader discusses idea to appoint new leader with other proposal level Group leaders (for example all local Area Leaders discuss and agree the proposal for a new district leader)
   2. If all support, the proposal level Group leader tells the next level – the recommendation level 1 leader from their Group
   3. Keep the proposal confidential

• Recommendation

1. 1. Recommendation level 1 Group leader discusses the idea to appoint the new leader with the other recommendation level 1 leaders in their Group
   2. If all support, complete the SGINZ Leadership Recommendation Form, seeking some of the information from the office
   3. The relevant Group leader takes the proposal (and the form) to the recommendation level 2 leaders
   4. All the recommendation level 2 leaders discuss the proposed appointment
   5. If all support, proceed to the decision level
   6. Keep the proposal confidential

• Decision

1. 1. In most cases the decision level is the Oceania Personnel Committee (OPC) or SGI Japan
   2. It may take some time to process the recommendation
   3. Keep the proposal confidential

• Visit and interview

1. 1. Two leaders (usually leaders from proposal and recommendation level 1 within the Group) home visit and interview the proposed leader in person
   2. During the visit they share the proposal with the proposed leader, explaining the meaning, process and any implications of the proposal.  (This is the first the proposed leader has heard about the proposal.)
   3. If accepted, ask the new leader to keep the proposal confidential until announced
   4. Proposal level leader from the Group completes Leadership Details form for the appointment and submits it to the office
   5. Inform only those involved in the appointment process that the appointment will go ahead (otherwise keep it confidential)
   6. Choose the time and place for the official announcement of the new leader

• Announcement

1. A leader from a recommendation level or above announces the new leadership position at time/place previously decided
2. The new position is effective from the time it is announced
3. Region (or National if applicable) updates the organisation chart Google doc

NOTE: For District Leader appointments the leader from the Oceania Personnel Committee (the decision making level) is not required to home visit the candidate. This can be delegated to vice National or Region leaders.

Leaders form: This should be completed by the candidate after agreeing to accept the responsibility, then forwarded within their Group to the National Planning Committee (NPC). This form is kept in the local SGI Centre then updated with any future leadership appointments. Leadership forms are available on line at www.sginz.org/forms, or by email or hardcopy.

“You may not know what to do yet, but you can learn as you go. What you’ll need, first and foremost, is a strong determination to help each person in the district become happy. You should also try to become someone whom everyone can talk to, always thinking about how to enable each person to bring forth his or her potential. From now on, the organization in Hawaii will develop to the extent that you pray sincerely and take action. All your efforts will turn into your own benefit and good fortune.”

President Ikeda, The New Human Revolution Vol. 1 – Sunrise



Forming New Organisational Units

“Anyone can set up an [Area]. But that by itself is meaningless. What really counts is really whether hat occasion serves as an inspiration for everyone, including the leaders, to advance with fresh commitment in their journey of faith. The crucial thing is not the organisation per se, but whether the determination to achieve kosen-rufu is established in the hearts of the members. The way to achieve this is to keep on making earnest efforts to encourage and support each person; to engage in inspiring discussions with them with one’s entire heart and being.”

President Ikeda, The New Human Revolution Vol. 6 -Long Journey

Rōpū, Districts, Areas, etc are created in response to the current situation where more effective support would assist the members’ practice. This can happen only when there are capable people ready to take up new responsibility. Just because a district or area is getting large is not sufficient reason to create new Rōpū, Districts or Areas. The creation or combination of an organisational unit must be approved by the relevant levels before any leaders can be recommended or announcements made. Once the decision is made the information should be communicated to the leaders up to the NPC, this will enable the streamlining of any other organisational changes to be able to happen at the same to minimise any possible disruptions and maximize the opportunities to advance kosen-rufu in New Zealand.

New Unit Level	Proposal Level*	Decision Level*
Rōpū	District	Area + Region
District	Area	Region + National
Area	Region	National+ NPC
Region	National	NPC + Japan

*Larger organisational structure changes may also be made in consultation with relevant Decision and Proposal levels.

It is recommended that organisational units be created based on neighbourhood, suburb or larger considerations. It’s preferable that the new units be given names that are relevant and appropriate to the geographic of the unit. Use of such names facilitates understanding and communication.

SGINZ Structure Guide

These numbers are not presented as rules but as guidelines for leaders in developing the organisational units for which they are and should be applied according to the circumstances:

	Structure	Total Members	Discussion Attendance
National	2 or more Regions	1000+	n/a
Region	3 – 6 areas	240 – 400	150 – 300
Area	2 – 4 districts	80 – 150	50 – 80
District	2 – 4 groups	30 – 50	15 -25
Rōpū	Members & Friends	10 – 15	5 – 9

Changes in Leadership Status

If a current leader has a change in personal circumstance their position may be reviewed and a vacancy created for a new leader to be appointed. Common changes in leadership status are:

New assignment

Existing leader is appointed to new responsibilities within the organisation. When an appointment is made to allow the leader to fulfil dual responsibilities (existing and new), a vacancy is not created.

Vice leaders

In some circumstances, it may be necessary to appoint a vice leader to support the current central figure.

Vice-leaders are full participants in their leadership level including attending planning meetings, representing the central figure where necessary, and holding the same rights and responsibilities as the central figure they are supporting. Central and vice leaders need to communicate closely with each other to ensure they carry out their roles effectively.

Advisor positions

Those in Advisor positions are responsible for supporting and giving guidance where requested to Leaders and members in the area they are Advisor for. They may attend leaders planning meetings if they wish, but this is not necessary. They may also attend training courses.

Transfer / graduation

When a current leader transfers out of the assigned organisational unit due to change in personal life (e.g. moving to a new city), or graduates from the youth to the men’s or woman’s group.

• When changing groups, any leadership responsibility is not transferable or applicable to the new group. If transferring for personal reasons the transferring leader will not necessarily be recommended for any responsibility with the new organisational unit. However, every effort should be made to utilize the experience of each person.
• If a Rōpū leader moves house to live in another district, they will not necessarily become a leader in the new district. If a District leader moves to live in another district, depending on the situation, that leader may be expected in the short term to continue their SGI activities in the district they formerly lived in, and therefore may have to travel more to fulfil their responsibilities. In the longer term, the District leader should try to raise a capable successor from within the district.
• As a general guideline a minimum of 3 months should pass following movement from one regional area to another before appointing a leadership responsibility in the new location.

Resignation

Leaders may resign for personal reasons. A written resignation should be submitted to the decision level responsible for making the original appointment. Home visit and interview should be carried out by the decision level in order for leaders to better understand the reason for the decision to resign, to ensure that there are no ill feelings, to express appreciation for past, and to encourage him or her toward the future.

Absentee leadership

When leaders leave their area of responsibility review should be made after three months. If possible, communication will occur with that leader before their leadership ends.

Inactive leaders

A review should be made after three months of inactivity. During this period decision-level leaders should home visit and encourage the inactive leader two or three times. Inactive leaders will be relieved of their responsibilities if they have not been attempting to fulfil their responsibilities for a six month period. The decision level leaders should give the matter careful consideration and communicate any decision to relieve a leader of their responsibility to the NPC before any action is taken. A home visit should be carried out by the decision level leaders. Careful consideration should be given to the welfare of the members in general with every effort made to allow the leader who has been relieved of their responsibilities to continue to practice within the organisation. Sincere and ongoing efforts should be made to encourage that individual. We should never forget the faith of the person involved.

Leaders Moving Homes

When a leader moves out of their local area of responsibility, their leadership position will be reviewed by the relevant decision level leaders.



Membership

Becoming an SGINZ Member

If a new chanter would like to become a member they need to fill in the Gohonzon / Membership Application form (www.sginz.org/forms).

Gohonzon and SGINZ Membership Application

I would like to receive the Gohonzon and become a member of SGINZ

I confirm that I meet the following criteria:

1. I want to practice Nichiren Buddhism within the SGI.
2. I chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and I am learning gongyo.
3. I am attending SGI meetings/gatherings.

Children’s and Family Memberships

SGINZ also has both Children’s and Family membership applications (www.sginz.org/forms):

1. Family Membership Application
2. Children’s Membership Application

The ‘Gohonzon and SGINZ Membership Application’ is what most people who have recently started chanting will use, depending on the household/family situation Family Membership, or Children’s Membership may be more appropriate.

Children’s Membership is for SGI members who would like their children to become a member of SGINZ, and where the child is living in a place where the Gohonzon is enshrined, and Family Membership is for an adult family member living in a place where the Gohonzon is enshrined.

Note: All applications are considered on a case by case basis.

Omamori Gohonzons

Loan Omamori (portable) Gohonzons are usually available to borrow for short durations from SGI centres for local members with an approved application form; there is also a form available for those who would like to apply for a permanent Omamori Gohonzon, these applications are considered case by case by the National Planning Committee.

Conferral Process and Speech Points

When a new membership application is approved the Gohonzon is conferred at an SGI meeting usually by the Group’s District or Senior Leader on this special day for the new member. At this meeting it is important to share from your heart the significance of receiving the Gohonzon. Please try to include the following points.

• Today you are making a great cause for your future happiness. Include Brief explanation of the Gohonzon (for the benefit of any family and friends attending).

3 Points:

• 1. Embrace the Gohonzon throughout your life
• 2. Carry out faith, practice and study in accord with Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings
• 3. Continue to practice within the SGI, making Nichiren Daishonin’s and Daisaku Ikeda’s spirit your own.

Here are some quotes you may like to use:

“Because life is long, you should not be impatient. What matters most is that you embrace the Gohonzon throughout your life.”1

“To accept is easy; to continue is difficult. But Buddhahood lies in continuing faith.”2

“Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.”3

“When we chant to the Gohonzon, our lives fall in rhythm with the fundamental law of the universe, enabling us to manifest tremendous life-force and putting us on a sure course to happiness.”4

“Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study, there can be no Buddhism. You must not only persevere yourself; you must also teach others. Both practice and study arise from faith.”5

“The great pure Law of the Lotus Sutra will be spread far and wide throughout Japan and all the other countries of Jambudvipa.”6

“This Gohonzon is the essence of the Lotus Sutra and the eye of all the scriptures. It is like the sun and the moon in the heavens, a great ruler on earth, the heart in a human being, the wish-granting jewel among treasures, and the pillar of a house. When we have this mandala with us, it is a rule that all the Buddhas and gods will gather round and watch over us, protecting us like a shadow day and night, just as warriors guard their ruler, as parents love their children, as fish rely on water, as trees and grasses crave rain, and as birds depend on trees. You must trust in it with all your heart.”7

1 On 25 February 1990. Quoted for 2 February in “For Today and Tomorrow: daily encouragement”

2 “The Difficulty of Sustaining Faith” WND Vol 1, p471

3 “The Real Aspect of The Gohonzon” WND Vol 1 p832

4 The New Human Revolution Vol 19 Chapter 3, “Sunlight” 24

5 “The True Aspect of All Phenomena” WND Vol 1 p836

6 “The Selection of the Time” WND Vol 1, p550

7 “On Upholding Faith in the Gohonzon” WND Vol 1, p624



Membership Lists

Please note that members should be encouraged to practice in their local districts where they live, but of course this may not always be possible.

Meeting Statistics

Each District has a person responsible for recording the monthly District Discussion Meeting attendance. This information is a useful ‘barometer’ for the health of SGINZ and is used in activity reports to the Charities Commission of New Zealand.

Membership Lists

The membership list should be maintained by each Group in the District (Future Group, UHG Young Men’s, UHG Young Women’s, Men’s, Women’s, Young Men’s, Young Women’s leaders). The membership list should be treated with confidentiality. Existing lists are available and provide the required format.

Membership lists should be made and updated by following leaders:

Group – P.I.C.

• FG – District Women’s leader
• UHG Young Men’s – District Young Men’s leader
• UHG Young Women’s – District Young Women’s leader
• Men’s – District Men’s leader
• Women’s – District Women’s leader
• Young Men’s – District Young Men’s leader
• Young Women’s – District Young Women’s leader

If district leader is vacant, the Area Leader should take care of the members list.

Submission of the membership list

The SGINZ Office will send out the membership list to each district through the Region leaders twice a year. This list is then updated locally and submitted to the SGINZ Office.

Who is listed in membership list [status of membership]

• Member– refers to those who have received the Gohonzon or have participated in the membership ceremony. Also includes members from overseas whose intended length of stay in New Zealand is more than one year and who has a letter of introduction and have completed a SGINZ members form.
• Overseas Member– an overseas member who has the Gohonzon or has participated in a membership ceremony in another country. But whose intended length of stay in New Zealand is one year or less and who have a letter of introduction and completed a members form. (such as members with working holiday visa, one year student visa or tourist visa)
• Friends– friends or guests who have started chanting and attending activities and what to be informed about regular activities. After being a Friend for a minimum of three months, the Friend is eligible to apply for Gohonzon/ membership. Note the criteria for receiving Gohonzon/membership. Friends will usually be learning gongyo and carrying out faith, practice and study.
• Overseas- members who moved overseas to stay there. membership status become ‘Overseas’
• Lost Contact– members whose contact details are not current.
• Don’t Contact– members who have requested not to be contacted via email, phone or post.
• Not Active– members who are no longer chanting and have not participated in activities for more than 6 months.

Leader’s living outside their District

Each Leaders address in organisation should be listed in district membership list where they have activities no matter if their physical address is outside this area.

Members moving into the District membership list

When members move into the district, they should be included in membership list and an update sent to the SGINZ Office, this applies for:

• New members who receive Gohonzon/membership.
• Members from overseas.
• Lost-contact-members who are found in this District.
• Friends who practice SGI activities as mentioned above.

Members Moving out of the District membership list

When members move out of the District, the Membership Statistics PIC should be updated, this applies for:

• Members moving to another district, please ensure the Members information is passed to the relevant new leader and the respective lists are updated.
• If a members moves overseas the member status should be changed from ‘Member’ to ‘Overseas’.
• Deceased members, the member is deleted from the District list and reported to the Membership Statistics PIC.
• Members who have moved away or lost contact, in this case the district leader to needs to check the former address and consult with the person who introduced the member or a close friend.
• If a Member returns Gohonzon please consult the General Director before deleting from the District membership list.

All photo’s by President Ikeda, courtesy of http://www.daisakuikeda.org