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Generation Hope: SGI UK Spreads Positivity

Soka Gakkai International (SGI) held Generation Hope 2018 on Saturday 17th March at the Hammersmith Apollo, coinciding with two other events in Manchester and Bristol. A number of creative professionals and individuals presented their life stories, expressing how the Nichiren Buddhism teachings have enabled them to overcome obstacles, successfully reach their potential, and spread SGI’s global movement towards positive change.

 

SGI have described themselves as “a humanistic organisation based on unity in diversity, striving to enable each individual to realize their fullest potential and personality… a lofty effort to firmly establish a philosophy of the value of life in each person, and to protect human dignity and allow one’s individuality to shine.” Composed of 192 independent organisations, with 14,500 members across the UK, people of all ages and backgrounds work together to make a difference through peace, culture and education. During the show a video summarizing SGI’s history and purpose presented how their global initiative ‘emerged out of [the nagasaki] devastation, and the 1974 president campaign against nuclear weapons.’

 

Through self-acceptance, positivity, and finding a sense of community within SGI, Mohed Kerric achieved his dream of being a dancer after being accepted onto SGI’s Youth Dance Group. He began his journey at 11 years old in dance school, however, his path hit a block when, at 14 years old, he began to feel low self-esteem, isolation and self-doubt while at his senior youth dance company. He was then introduced to buddhism chanting, and used these to motivate himself through self-belief. Upon discovery of SGI’s Youth Dance group he was excited by the opportunity to join a diverse, like-minded team. “On the day of the SGI audition, positive effects of chanting made me feel my absolute best,” he said. After successful auditions he began training, and has since studied street dance, capoeira, and contemporary dance. While it was challenging as he is the youngest and one of two boys in the group, “before each performance the dance group chants for hope, and this reassures us,” he explained. “I feel confident dancing in my own skin, and I want to use my creativity to inspire others.” The dancing group won a Jack Petchey Award for their dedicated community work with young people. A quote ended his life affirming speech: “The moment you aspire every fibre in your being will orientate you to your success,” and the audience cheered on in support as he showsed his passionate dancing.

 

The event continued with a music video inspiring hope, produced by a group of 12-15 year old SGI members. The video began with the format of a news channel presenting ‘breaking news of wave of youth emerging.’ Then, they sang a song of hope, with children and teens coming together to rap, dance, and belt out in unison the powerful lyrics: “... don’t be afraid to face the storm. Love, it’s time to put it first… Try to be free so I’ll be me… Be strong, find your way.” You couldn’t help but smile, and the audience were uplifted by the children’s performance.

 

The presenters welcomed on the spoken-word and rap artist, Frank Plum, and he performed ‘Aspire.’ Plum goes on to explain how his experiences led him to SGI. Exposed to crime and drugs from an early age, and witness to his dad’s arrest, Plum led a tumultuous childhood. He was constantly moving house with his mother and sister, but after a violent attack on his mother they were moved into a 'safer, secure environment.' Plum admits this fuelled his anger and desire for revenge during his youth. Once his dad was released he vowed never to go back to jail, however, he had Crohn's disease and died soon after in the arms of a 15 yr old Plum. Life spiralled downhill from there and negative feelings caused him to make bad decisions. He said, “I became addicted to weed and suffered from fear and anxiety. I had so much anger in me, [and] it started to attract confrontation from local youth.” It was at this point that a neighbour introduced him to buddhism and its positive energy, but anxiety and negative thoughts made him want to ignore it. Soon he discovered, '... by studying the writing of Buddha Nichiren Daishonin I found there was hope and time to change.' The audience of 6,000 in the theatre cheered him on in support for making this positive change to his life. He explained, “through chanting I had strength to face the operation for Crohn's disease. Thanks to buddhism practices I was able to focus my attention on determinations.” Now, Plum is working towards being a film screenwriter and director, and is releasing material later in the year.

 

History was made: the first theatre mexican wave at Hammersmith Apollo was done! This was a light touch of fun to soften the mood and bring excitement for the next acts. It was sent to the neighbouring events in Manchester and Bristol (who later sent back their own enthusiastic mexican waves), demonstrating SGI’s sense of community. Other inspiring SGI members who opened up on the day included Hollywood actor, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who felt lost until being introduced to SGI’s movement. He said, “through understanding buddhism I realised I couldn’t be a victim of my past, I had to be empowered by it. I didn’t feel alone anymore, as going to a film set in another country there was always a buddhism community I was able to connect to.” Agbaje recently directed and released his screenplay, ‘Farming,’ an autobiographical story, which will be in film later this year. Aswell as, Josey Parkhouse, 26, who was born into a family practising buddhism. She has since delegated for Youth UN, and helped found and co-chair Amplify: Generation of Change at the Nuclear Disarmament Conference in Hiroshima.

 

SGI UK musical group gave us a taste of their message of hope through the enigmatic and inspiring performance of ‘Dare to Believe.’ This was originally written by the Blue Lotus band and performed at a 1986 performance at the Apollo. SGI members also wrote and performed 'Revolution In You.' Their spirited remedy commemorated SGI’s history, and spread the ongoing fight for peace and humanity that still survives globally. Attendees discovered the show through word of mouth and described their experience as, "it’s a great event. [At the start] a women shared a personal experience, it was very good. I cried."

 

Concluding the event was a spoken performance of ‘This is Your Age’ poem, written by Daisaku Ikeda (President of Soka Gakkai International), a rap poem with the powerful chanting close, ‘we are the change!’, and a music and dance act embodying the evolving and progressive voice of ‘The Generation of Hope.’

 

Check out Soka Gakkai UK. Create your own pledge for hope using SGI’s templates. Read up on the ways of the Buddha and see if it will help you through tough times:

Waking the Buddha by Clark Strand

Basics of Buddhism by Pat Allwright

The Victorious Teen by Daisaku Ikeda

The Buddha in Daily Life by Richard Causton

For the Leaders of the Future: Discussion on Youth by Daisaku Ikeda

By Lucy Patchett

22.03.18

Generation Hope
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