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Human Revolution: Encouraging Spiritual Transformation as the SGI Grows

The ongoing efforts of individual SGI members seeking spiritual self-reformation underlie all the activities described above. The term long used by the organization for this self-reformation is “human revolution.” Drawing on Nichiren’s teaching, the SGI affirms that such inner change invariably leads to a transformation of the outer world as well. As Ikeda has written:

The movement that we advocate for a human revolution does not stop at a change of personality, but extends to a change in the most basic attitudes and perceptions about the nature of life itself; it is a change of the entire human being. I know and believe as the firmest article of faith that the human revolution of a single person can change the fate of a nation, our world, and all humanity. [31]

The activities of the SGI-USA and all SGI member organizations currently reflect a renewed awareness that the twofold transformation of self and environment depends on the individual growth and happiness of their diverse membership. In 1995, the SGI adopted a charter that embodies this awareness and now serves as a standard for the future development of its member organizations. [32] While large-scale activities still occur, the self-directed, inner transformation of the individual has unquestionably become the primary focus of the SGI’s activities throughout the world. The SGI maintains that such individual changes, reinforcing each other, can eventually effect a deeply positive change in humanity and the nature of societies worldwide. Since such changes are never easy, the SGI aims to provide an environment in which mutual support for this most challenging endeavor is available.

Bryan Wilson and David Machacek write that: “The concept of ‘human revolution’ encompasses goals of reforming institutional structures, but asserts that the way to reform social institutions—to improve education, promote tolerance, protect the environment, and end war—is through individual enlightenment. Thus, reform is directed foremost to individual lives and by extension from individual lives to communities, nations and the world.”32

Interpreting the Parable of the Medicinal Herbs from chapter 5 of the Lotus Sutra as a poetic depiction of a culture of peace, Daisaku Ikeda writes:

The parable describes a variety of plants watered by a cloud that envelops the Earth: “Though all these plants and trees grow in the same earth and are moistened by the same rain, each has its differences and particulars.”In terms of Buddhism, this image depicts how all people can benefit from the impartial Buddhist law and, like the three kinds of medicinal herbs and two kinds of trees, can attain a state of enlightenment that is expressive of’ their unique character and individuality. …

Here the blessings of the sun and the rain depict equality under the heavens, while the earth that sustains the plants depicts equality on Earth. In Buddhism, this represents the true path of culture whereby we respect each other’s differences and celebrate our diversity while equally sharing the life-sustaining gifts of Earth and the firmament.

The SGI aims to apply a philosophy of humanism, rooted in respect for the sanctity of life, in the fields of peace, culture, and education. In this way, we seek to foster a robust and universal culture of peace. These three fields correspond to the Buddhist concept of the “three virtues,” those qualities inherent in humankind identified by Nichiren as most worthy of respect: a sense of responsibility, compassion, and wisdom. [33]