SGIA History


SGI President first visited Australian in 1964. He landed on Australian soils with a mission to spread Nichiren Daishonin's buddhism. Those who joined, enjoyed the benefits and good furture.

Below are the lists of events that occurned since the start of the spread of Nichiren Daishonin's buddhism in Australia :-

1964 Soka Gakkai International President Daisaku Ikeda visited Australia. After touring Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, establishes Melbourne Chapter, the 997th Chapter in the World, with 6 members.
1965 Sydney District formed.
1966 First Study Examination held in Sydney and Melbourne. Melbourne and Blacktown Districts formed.
1967 New Sydney District formed.
1969 Young Men's and Young Women's Divisions inaugurated at the fourth Melbourne Chapter general meeting. First N.S.A. Newsletter published to be later called 'True Buddhism' and eventually called 'Choose Life', now in its 250th edition. North Shore District formed.
1970 Australian General Chapter formed with three chapters; Melbourne, Western Sydney and Sydney. First NSA Family Picnic and sports day held in Perth near Sydney.
1971 Reverend Kudo Iwagi performed first Gojukai ceremony in Australia, 77 members received Gohonzon. Soka University established.
1972 Harbour (Sydney) and Brisbane Districts formed.
1973 Central, Eastern (Melbourne), Emu and Liverpool (Sydney) districts formed.
1974 First Youth Summer Training Camp held in the Blue Mountains, near Sydney.
1975 N.S.A. newsletter becomes Gold Coast. Vice president Izumi visited Australia. Australian headquarters established, with 5 chapters; Bankstown, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Western.
1976 First kosen-rufu Gongyo held in Canberra.
1977 First Brisbane Chapter Convention held. NSA Community centre in Arncliffe, Sydney opened.
1979 100th issue of 'True Buddhism.'
1981 Inaugural Men's Division meeting held.
1982 Joju Gohonzon bestowed upon Australia. Perth District established. First nation wide Young Men's Division General meeting.
1983 Joju Gohonzon enshrined at Arneliffe community centre by REV. Jicho Mackawa and Rev. Jikan Kazui.
1984 SGI received the United Nations Peace Award. N.S.A. members participate in Australia Day parade in Sydney and establish a Peace pavilion in Sydney's Hyde Park. First Sydney culture festival.
1985 First Australian Youth Training Course and Tozan. First issue of 'Choose Life' published.
1987 Australian Byakuren group formed.
1988 NSSA Convention held at Sydney Opera House. S.G.I. delegation visits Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney; also made book presentations at Melbourne, Sydney and The Australian National University.
1989 Melbourne Community Centre opens. SGIA headquarters at Hornsby purchased. Canberra District formed.
1990 60th Anniversary of the Soka Gakkai. Brisbane Community Centre opens. Adelaide District formed. Sydney area headquarters established.
1991 Friendship delegation from Japan visits Australia, exchange meetings held in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. First Sydney area Women's Division residential study course held in the Blue Mountains. First Chinese New year Gongyo meeting held in Brisbane. Public discussion meeting held by Canberra members.
1992 Australian Joju-Gohonzon enshrined at Hornsby headquarters. First SGIA Convention held in Brisbane. First Student study camp held at Hornsby. Allan Brindell former Brisbane Chapter Chief passes away. Perth District becomes a Chapter.
1993 Hornsby Community Centre renamed The Australian Culture Centre. Hans Van Der Bent appointed as General Director of SGIA. Dr. Tom Teitei appointed as Honorary General Director. Melbourne headquarters established, North and South Melbourne Chapters formed. Executive Advisory Committee appointed by president Ikeda send delegation to visit Sydney and Melbourne.
1994 SGIA celebrates its 30th anniversary. The Australian Culture Center to be officially opened. A 'Grand Music Festival' to be held to mark the event.

These documentations are extracted from "Choose Life" (1985-1994).
"Choose Life" is the official magazine of SGI Australia , which is dedicated to the promotion of peace, culture and education based on the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin.


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