Culture Department, Arts Department Make New Start
Eric Hauber, SGI-USA Culture Dept. Advisor
World Tribune, 03/30/2007, p. 6
Seventeen years after SGI President Ikeda founded it, the SGI-USA culture department has undergone a major renewal. First, new national-level leaders have been appointed (see profiles below).
At the same time, the arts department—which was previously the arts division within the culture department—will become its own entity separate from the culture department. This step was taken in light of the successful development of SGI-USA artists’ activities throughout the United States, as well as the growth of its able and talented membership.
The academic, educators, healing arts and legal divisions will remain within the culture department.
We have set our vision on 2010, with the aim of contributing substantially to the growth of the SGI and its movement for peace, culture and education. Based on SGI President Ikeda’s vision, the culture department and the arts department will renew our focus on Buddhist faith and practice in accord with the following guidelines: 1) to deepen faith and discover our individual mission within our respective professional arenas; 2) to strengthen study of Nichiren Buddhism to effectively share the wisdom of Buddhism and to promote a correct awareness of President Ikeda and the SGI’s movement of peace, culture and education around the world; 3) to revitalize each individual’s seeking spirit to learn from President Ikeda and strengthen the mentor-disciple bond; 4) to be people who cultivate relationships of trust and respect and who are magnanimous of heart.
From its early years, the culture department has consisted of members actively working in the fields of health, law, education and the arts—professions that greatly influence society. The human revolution, or inner transformation, of each person in these arenas can contribute significantly to the betterment of American society. President Ikeda has encouraged SGI-USA culture department members to be people of culture and wisdom, to be first-rate representatives of their respective fields, and most importantly, to be truly respected and trustworthy human beings.
The focus for members of both the culture and arts departments remains, just as for other SGI-USA members, to actively participate in our districts and local organizations and thereby refresh our own faith. At the same time, using our talents and abilities, we can
contribute to and invigorate our district discussion meetings while inspiring fellow members. And then, with regular department meetings on a local level, we can also gain inspiration by sharing experiences among peers.
Through our SGI-USA activities, we can
develop our life force and wisdom, infusing our work with humanity and fresh vitality.
WANDA PEACOCK FLOWERS
Legal Division Co-Leader
Wanda is chief counsel managing a litigation group at Sunoco, Inc., in Philadelphia. She is an appointee to the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Business Law Section of
the Philadelphia Bar Association.
MICHAEL BYNUM
Legal Division Leader
Mike serves as the director of the SGI-USA Legal Affairs Department. He is responsible for all domestic legal affairs for the SGI-USA, focusing primarily on employment issues, property and other corporate matters.
