On June 19, 2021, 354 SGM Educators Group members gathered online for the first ever nationwide online meeting to renew their determination and sense of mission as educators, as well as marking the hope-filled start of human revolution to achieve victorious proof as disciples who share the same vow as their mentor.
According to SGM women’s division vice-leader Wendy Yee, the Soka Gakkai Education Division was first formed in Japan on May 3, 1961 by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda. Meanwhile, the SGM Educators Group, which shares the same mission as its counterpart in Japan, was established on May 19, 1988. As a division that inherits the founding spirit of the Soka Gakkai and the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple, Wendy hoped that all members would “foster ourselves and others, becoming pillars of trust within our local communities and organisation, and continue to make contributions even after retiring as teachers."
SGM men’s division vice-secretary Wan Cheong Kin conducted a study session on “living with an awareness of the importance of the heart” and “devoting ourselves to our mission” based on President Ikeda’s The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace series. He concluded that one should continuously chant daimoku to bring forth the Buddha’s wisdom and urged the members to “become genuine Soka educators who possess ‘vast hearts’ in fulfilling our mission as genuine educators who uphold humanistic education as well as Bodhisattvas of the Earth for kosen-rufu in Malaysia.”
In addition, Choong Pow Yean from Selangor and Goh Sean Khai from Penang also shared their experiences in faith while working as educators.
Finally, SGM men’s division leader Dr Christopher Boey encouraged all members to “foster young people who are never defeated no matter what happens and who can win over the toughest challenges to create value, expand the circle of happiness and peace both for themselves and others.” Using guidelines given by President Ikeda to the first of the Soka schools in Malaysia, Tadika Seri Soka, he also urged them to respond to the mentor’s call by enabling their students to realise their full potential in life and eventually achieve happiness.
In the meeting, representatives from each state were invited to share their resolutions. Lee Mei Ling from Penang said that she will further put into practice the concept of creating value, engaging in quality dialogues and helping her students to unleash their potential. Meanwhile, Lim Shi Rou from Sarawak was determined to carry out her human revolution in both the workplace and life, do her best in understanding her students' situations and foster more capable people, especially junior division members.
