Our Stories

I’m proudest of staying true to myself, stepping outside of my comfort zone, and giving my best effort.

My personal experiences encourage me to live a valued life with empathy, tenacity, compassion, and confidence.

Embrace the day and, as my grandmother would often quote, ‘never wish time away.’

…the compassion to see [personal experiences] as the common thread that connects me to our collective humanness.

The time that each of you spend on this campus, cheerfully learning to forge the spirit of indomitability with your fellow students day after day—that is from whence a new world will emerge in this century, to nurture humanity’s capacity to create lasting value.

So be that life singularity, that life force, that energy of love and truth. May I then urge you to be a human being who is a citizen of the human race. Learn the power of life, the power of love, the power of what I call soul force.

My beloved graduates, I envision firmly clasping every one of your hands, to send you off with this exhortation: May you brighten civilization in the 21st century like the dawn beaming with hope!

My support of SUA is the greatest gift I can offer my grandchildren—and other people’s grandchildren.

Her friends continue to uphold her wish and donate to SUA. Most of them come from humble backgrounds, but they save their money and donate to SUA to support Mr. Ikeda’s vision of world peace.