Other Activities

In addition to monthly district meetings, the following SGI activities take place in Austin on a regular basis.

World Peace Prayer

Austin Chapter meets the first Sunday of each month to pray specifically for world peace. The meetings are held at the Austin Activity Center, 5555 North Lamar, Suite #C109. There are two meetings: one at 10:00 AM and one at 12:30 PM. The general format of the meeting is: chanting from 10:00 – 10:30 AM (or 12:30 - 1:00 PM), then an alternating group or district within the Chapter is responsible for the content which usually entails a musical performance, a presentation, experiences from individual members and announcements. Because a group or district holds most of the activities, the world peace prayer enables all members in the Austin metroplex to get together, visit and encourage each other.

Boys and Girls Group

The boys and girls group is for elementary school students so that they develop friendships with others who practice Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings. Through this activity, they deepen their understanding of Buddhism and apply it to their daily and school lives. They meet the first Sunday of each month at 10:00 AM during the World Peace prayer meetings held at the McBeth recreation center. They also have picnics several times a year. All members are encouraged to participate and support these activities.

Study Meetings

Meetings are held by several groups within the Austin Chapter to study the Gosho, which are letters written by Nichiren Daishonin to his disciples during the 13th century in Japan. The messages and lessons in faith are as applicable today as they were back then and are essential for understanding the true meaning of Buddhism. Bi-monthly meetings are alternatively held by the chapter and by each district, individually. Study meetings in Japanese are held monthly by each district and Spanish (discussion or study) meetings are held bi-monthly by chapter. In addition, the Culture department holds monthly and bi-monthly meetings that study and discuss the Lotus Sutra and SGI President Ikeda’s peace proposals.

Sophia Group

The Sophia group is a study group for women that was founded by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda in 1990. The study material is a series of books entitled The New Human Revolution, which chronicles the history of the Soka Gakkai and includes experiences and guidance in faith. The intent of the monthly study sessions is to deepen faith and understanding of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism through knowledge the struggles and victories of members during the early days of the Soka Gakkai.

Sunset Chorus

The SGI seeks to create a better world through peace, culture and education. This is a cultural activity that enables members to express their faith through the universal language of music. The Sunset Chorus, as named by President Ikeda for choruses in Texas, meets monthly. All are welcome to join!

Men’s Gongyo

This is a meeting held monthly for men where they recite Gongyo, an integral part of the Buddhist practice, and either study or share experiences.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo