HARMONY - January 2013

DEAR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF SGI,

Happy New Year and happy Year Of Victory For A Youthful SGI!
The Harmony team would like to thank you for all your support in 2012 and we look forward to helping you deepen your understanding of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism in 2013.
This year’s theme is one that should be embraced by all members of the SGI, not just the youth division. A youthful SGI has nothing to do with age but everything to do with spirit; an attitude of optimism and hope, not pessimism and despair. One working tirelessly, not only for one’s own happiness, but also for the happiness of others. Fully embracing the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple is a key component to this youthfulness. If you want proof of this, just look at President Ikeda. I am sure that everyone would agree that he is the embodiment of victory and a youthful spirit.
The Fountain of Youth is a legendary spring that reputedly restores the youth of anyone who drinks of its waters. Tales of such a fountain have been recounted across the world for thousands of years. We, in the SGI, have access to such a fountain, anytime we want; it is our Buddhist practice. By chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with a correct attitude, reading the works of Nichiren Daishonin, the encouragement of President Ikeda, and participating in SGI activities, we are able to tap this fountain of youth and lead fulfilling and happy lives..the Month
President Ikeda reminds us of the following:
“The real meaning of youth has nothing to do with physical age. In Buddhist terms, youth means to consistently maintain an open, flexible and tolerant mind.”
“Life loses its dynamism from the moment we lose the passion with which to live it. No matter what our age, we cannot afford to let the flame within our heart grow dim. We do not become unhappy because we grow old. We become unhappy only when we grow ever more unwilling to change as we age.”

“Youthfulness is not determined by age. It is determined by one’s life force. One who possesses hope is forever young. One who continually advances is forever beautiful.”

(http://www.ikedaquotes.org/youth-aging)

Let’s set big goals for 2013, chant to our hearts’ content and take courageous action to make our wildest dreams become reality.
Happy Year Of Victory For A Youthful SGI!
Skip Williams

Available at all HKSGI Culture Centres

The ‘Rendezvous with Nature – Photography Exhibition by Daisaku Ikeda’ Held at the Northeast Normal University, Jilin Province, PRC

The Northeast Normal University conferred an ‘Outstanding Contribution Award for Photographic Arts’ to SGI President Ikeda

The sun was shining brilliantly as the opening ceremony was held at the Library Piazza of the Main Campus of the Northeast Normal University. Guests attending the ceremony included: Ma Yong-Ming, Deputy Secretary-General of the Jilin Provincial People’s Government, Gu Chang-Chun, Former Deputy Secretary of Provincial Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Provincial People’s Congress, Liu Xi-Lin, Former Executive Vice Governor, Provincial Standing Committee member and Provincial Executive Vice Chairman of the Provincial Political Consultative Conference, Feng Xi-Ming, Former Provincial Standing Committee member and Secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, Ren Jun-Jie, Former Provincial Standing Committee member and Deputy Director of the Provincial People’s Congress, Gao Wen, Former Executive Vice Governor and Executive Vice Chairman of Provincial Political Consultative Conference, Zheng Long, Former Vice Chairman of Provincial Political Consultative Conference, Lin Jun, Director of Jilin Provincial Department of Culture, Liu Zhong-Shu, Former President of Jilin University, Guo Yi, Secretary-General of the Changchun Photographers, Sheng Lian-Xi, Party Secretary of the Northeast Normal University, Zhang Shao-Jie, Vice President of the Northeast Normal University, together with over a thousand teaching staff and students of the University, representatives from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Changchun, Sun Li-Chuan, Deputy Chief Editor of the Cosmos Books, Lee Kong Sau, Vice President of the Soka Gakkai International and representatives from HKSGI.

Professor Zhang Shao-Jie, the Vice President of the Northeast Normal University delivered the welcoming speech followed by Mr Lee Kong Sau, Vice President of Soka Gakkai International, who also gave his speech and read out the congratulatory message from President Ikeda. The award was conferred upon the speeches offered separately by Mr Lin Jun, Director of Jilin Provincial Department of Culture and Ms Li Yi-Lin, a representative from the undergraduate students of 2006 of the School of Journalism at the Northeast Normal University. Mr Lee Kong Sau received the ‘Outstanding Contribution Award on Photographic Arts’ on behalf of President Ikeda presented by Sheng Lian-Xi, Party Secretary of the Northeast Normal University.

The opening ceremony was concluded with ribbon cutting by officiating guests and subsequently, all guests, teaching staff and students proceeded to the exhibition venue at the first floor of the University Gallery to admire the works of Mr Ikeda. The opening ceremony was broadcast at the evening news of the Comprehensive Channel (CTV-1) of Changchun TV and Jilin TV, as well as being reported on the Changchun Evening News the next day.

“Dialogue with nature “-Daisaku Ikeda Photo Exhibition was held in Liaoning Normal University

Liaoning Normal University awarded President Ikeda the “Highest Photographic Art Prize”

Greeting the warmth of early summer on 15th June morning, the opening ceremony of Daisaku Ikeda Photo Exhibition-“Dialogue with Nature” was held in Liaoning Normal University, which is located in the beautiful coastal city in northern China. The exhibition was jointly organized by the Dalian Municipal Culture Bureau, Liaoning Normal University and Hong Kong Soka Gakkai International.

After the president of Liaoning Normal University, Qu Qingbiao (曲慶彪校長) delivered his speech, the honorary director of HKSGI, Mr. Li Kong Sau read out a message from SGI honorary president Mr. Daisaku Ikeda. The former deputy director of Dalian Municipal People’s Congress, Dalian Sino-Japan Education & Cultural Exchange Association, Mr. Zhao Yaping (趙亞平先生) also expressed his congratulations on the success of the photo exhibition.

Liaoning Normal University awarded the “Highest Photographic Art Prize” to Mr. Ikeda-the honorary president of SGI, in recognition of his excellence in photographic art. The president of Liaoning Normal University, Mr. Qu Qingbiao presented the honorary certificate, which was accepted by HKSGI honorary director Mr. lee Kong Sau on behalf of Mr. Ikeda.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, the HKSGI honorary director Mr. Li Kong Sau lead all guests to enjoy Mr. Ikeda’s photographs.

Professor Lawrence J. Lau, Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, delivers a speech entitled on “The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the Economy of China and Hong Kong”

On April 18, the world-renowned economist Professor Lawrence J. Lau (vice-chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Ralph and Claire Landau Professor of Economics, the Kwoh-Ting Li Professor in Economic Development, Emeritus, at Stanford University) delivered a one-hour seminar, entitled “The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the Economy of China and Hong Kong” in the President Ikeda Auditorium of the HK-SGI Cultural Centre.

Professor Lau is an expert on economic development and growth, including the economy of China and other parts of East Asia. He is the author of five books and over 160 papers in academic journals.

Since the middle of last year, the global financial tsunami has caused an inestimable damage to the world’s economy. In his talk “The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the Economy of China and Hong Kong”, Professor Lau used statistical figures to show how the worst depression in the US since 1929 has tightened credit and stopped importers from placing orders. However, even when the US and Western Europe is suffering from decline and regression, the economy of China is still growing as a result of domestic demand. About 10 years ago, in the abyss of the East Asia economic crisis, Professor Lau wrote a paper entitled “The Sky [of Chinese economy] is going to fall down”. It seems that this phase is still right today.

In his talk, Professor Lau pointed out the remarkable economic achievement in China since the economical reform in 1978. However, considering China’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita, China is still a developing country, despite its rapid growth. Lau summarized the three causes of the success of the economic reform in China. 1. The unlimited supply of manpower. 2. The consistently high rates of domestic savings (more than 30% on average, sometimes up to 45%). 3. A huge domestic market of over 1.3 billion customers. Lau offered his advice on how to sustain the increase of domestic demand and to maintain the steady growth of the economy and employment: this can be done through the investment in home ownership, education, science, urbanization, transport infrastructure, environmental protection and green technology. In his concluding remarks, Lau highlighted the general trend of the continuous integration of economic systems in East Asia. The trades among East Asian countries have now surpassed their trades with America and Europe. Therefore, even in the climate of stalled economic growth or even depression in America and Europe, East Asia should be able to cope.

The final part of the seminar was a question-and-answer session chaired by Professor Lau. After that, HK-SGI director Mr Lee Kong Sau presented the “HK-SGI award” to Professor Lau, in recognition of his social and academic contributions.