TX/OK Ikeda Kayo-kai Kickoff Meeting - May 23, 2009
On Saturday, May 23, 2009, 160 young women from across Texas and Oklahoma challenged their lives and woke uncharacteristically early on a Saturday morning. While it would have been completely normal to still be lying in bed these young ladies packed sandwiches, props for skits and rice balls to drive and ride buses for several hours in many cases for a historic gathering.
On the bus to Austin!
These youth finally met together at MacCullum High School in Austin, Texas to kick off their participation as members of the first class of the SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai. National Youth leaders Kim Herrmann, National Young women leader Vinessa Shaw and Central Territory Young Women leader Jee Moon joined the meeting to offer encouragement and information about the newly formed Ikeda Kayo-kai, an international faith-based studying group for young women founded by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda.
National Young Women’s Division leader Vinessa Shaw explained the background of the SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai and shared a picture that she took of the World Ikeda Kayo-kai apricot tree that was planted in Japan at Makiguchi Memorial Hall in early May of this year in between President Ikeda’s mother’s tree and Mrs. Ikeda’s mother’s tree, symbolizing our deep mission as young women of the SGI to lead happy lives and help others do the same.
National youth division leader Kim Herman challenged all of the young women in the room to make that day the kick-off day for their lives, urging all of us to “wake up to who we really are and how we can truly live each day of our lives based on the oneness of mentor and disciple.”
Study is one of the main components of being a part of the SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai
Highlights of the TX/OK Zone Kayo-kai kick-off meeting included a history of Kayo-kai by South Central Texas young woman and a clever skit by the young women of the Texas Gulf Coast Region that conveyed the elements of Nichiren Daishonin’s writing “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land” through three television shows on The Gakkai Channel. Sharing a spirit of contribution, the Oklahoma young women made bead bags to share with guests and new members.
Next, Ashima Vermani shared a deeply touching experience of her struggles with her mother-in-law that are helping her achieve her own human revolution. Also, Nisha Bhatt shared an inspiring May contribution experience about how she and her husband fought and met their annual contribution goal even after several financial set backs.
Just before the close of the meeting, an unexpected Gohonzon conferral was announced. Daniela Gaudiesus, a young women’s division member from Killeen, Texas was shocked to learn that her guest Jamaica Martinez decided right then and there to receive her Gohonzon. In a breathtakingly joyous moment, Daniella and her shakabuku hugged and thanked everyone for their support. “My life has been so hard,” said Jamaica, in tears. “But thanks to Daniella, I’ve been chanting and already seeing changes.” The entire audience rose to its feet to cheer for this tremendous victory and there was not a dry eye in the room.
Buoyed with joy, the South Central Texas Region young women ended the meeting with medley of dancing and singing. The Texas/Oklahoma Zone SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai Kick-off meeting was a great success and filled many with a renewed sense of hope and determination to lead lives of indomitable spirit.
Texas/Oklahoma Zone SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai
3 Eternal Mottos of the SGI Ikeda Kayo-Kai
- Strive together in friendship as sisters in faith and remain true to the path of faith throughout our lives.
- Base ourselves on” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin” and always cherish and protect the SGI.
- Forever advance together with President and Mrs. Ikeda.
By 2030, let’s become the type of women who are the source of limitless hope for all!
For more information about the SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai, please visit the SGI-USA website.
