SGM in the news (The Star)

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/1/6/central/2783062&sec=central

Spreading the word through education
By PRIYA MENON

PEACE and happiness for ourselves and others. This is what the Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) strives to spread in the hearts of Malaysians.
Based on the Buddhist teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, a philosophy that promotes humanism, compassion and respect for the sanctity of life, this non-governmental organisation (NGO) was founded in 1984.
All set: Liu (left) and Choo looking through the magazine before it is released.
For them, there are three important aspects to spread – peace, culture and education.
“We use education to spread the message. We teach humanistic education based on values,” deputy president Liu Cheng Choong said.
The organisation has a kindergarten in Cheras which was opened in 1994 and now hosts 520 students of all races.
“Although we are a Buddhist organisation, we are trying to teach our children culture which cuts across race and religion so our kindergarten is open to the public,” Liu said.
SGM organises cultural performances, exhibitions, seminars on various other religions as well as the annual cultural festivals.
“We even bring in imams from China for seminars in Malaysia so that they can teach locals the teachings of Islam as well,” general director Choo Kong Fei added.
Starting young: The association focuses on the youth so they can bring about changes in the future.
At the 1998 Commonwealth Games, 5,000 of their members took part in the human graphics performance.
“All the events are organised and handled by our members, especially the youths. Even our centres are run by volunteers.
“So, the person who opens the gates at the centre may be a president of an organisation or a lawyer,” Choo added.
SGM has 16 cultural centres and 12 regional centres in Malaysia with 40,000 members nationwide.
Choo said they trained their members to do things for others.
“There is no status among the members and we want to start young that is why we are training our youths during the many exhibitions we have,” Liu said.
He proudly related stories of how their volunteers cleaned the toilets used by their members who performed at the Commonwealth Games.
They also have a monthly publication, called Cosmic in Mandarin and English, that informs their members of the various activities they have organised.
Among their latest endeavours is a signature campaign called Transforming the Human Spirit for the abolition for nuclear weapons.
Another one is the Seeds for Change, an effort to save the environment that was held at various local universities nationwide.
“Youths are always our main target because some day they will be able to make a change,” Liu said.
Wisma Kebudayaan SGM is located at 243, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.