"Changing Our Destiny": An Introduction to Buddhism
March 20, 2010
11 AM and 3:30 PM
Location: Michael D. Rose Theater- Entertainment Lobby
"Ultimately, we are responsible for our own destiny. What really matters is how we can improve ourselves from this moment forward, how we can change the circumstances that we find ourselves in. This enormous transformative force is what Buddhism is all about." -Daisaku Ikeda
How can you change your destiny and become indestructibly happy? Join us on March 20 at the University of Memphis in the Entertainment Lobby in a panel presentation and discussion about Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. Learn about the basic concepts of belief in our Buddhist practice and how it can lead to the transformation of your life as well as have an opportunity to ask any questions.
As an innovative way to participate in the taiko group, the youth division in Atlanta (with dedicated support from Peter, Cobb-Dobbins MD district leader) created their own version of taiko drums by taping up old tires (many donated by many Men's and Women's division members). The entire percussion ensemble is a creative mix of odds and ends, such as pans, buckets, and of course, tires.
Great job Atlanta!!!
At our festival in Memphis, the "uniforms" of the youth performing groups will be color-coordinated outfits. If you are a member of one of these groups, you must make the necessary plans to adhere to these requirements.
The following will be the "uniforms" for the specific groups.
Taiko Group: black T-Shirt and black pants
Chorus: white shirt and black pants
Dance Group: white top and blue jeans
Brass Band & Fife and Drum Corps (joint performance): red, blue, or yellow top and black pants
Thank you so much to Spicer, Atlanta chapter YMD leader, for putting together this inspirational video... Let's do all that we can over the next few days to encourage every youth division member and guest to attend our historic festival in Memphis, Tennessee and connect them to our mentor, Daisaku Ikeda. Let's not allow a single youth to miss out on this opportunity.
Thank you once again to Kiyomi for creating this BEAUTIFUL flyer to promote the exhibit, "Children Are The Future," which will be displayed on the University of Memphis campus at 255 University Drive, from 3/16/2010-3/20/2010. (What a significant day for the exhibit to begin!)
(Click on the flyer to view a larger version.)
Please distribute this flyer to all members and guests. There is a link on the right side of this page where you can download a PDF version of the flyer.
Thank you so much to Kiyomi, the Atlanta North Region Vice-YWD and Zone Byakuren leader, for creating this BEAUTIFUL flyer to promote our upcoming festival, "The Path Of A Disciple: Be Bold! Be The One!"
(Click on the flyer to view a larger version.)
Please distribute this flyer to all members and guests. There is a link on the right side of this page where you can download a PDF version of the flyer.
This original song was created by members of Atlanta Southeast Region. The following youth division participated in the writing of the song: Jai Marie, Brian, and Siddiq. The vocals were performed by Jai Marie. The track was produced by Chris, with the final mix done by Brian.
A woman’s division member, Llace, was inspired to write a song as a way to help support the youth division in Atlanta. With this motivation, she began collaborating with the youth division mentioned above, and the result was an amazing track with moving lyrics.
While the finished song features one vocalist, it was created in a way that everyone can participate… The youth division in Atlanta have been singing this at the end of every Rock The Era activity at the Atlanta Community Center, and there are plans to have an all-youth performance of this song at the South Zone Youth Festival in Memphis on 3/20/10!
For lyrics, please click the "Rock The Era" Lyrics link, on the right side of this page.
Welcome to the official South Zone Youth Division blog for the East Territory Youth Division Festival, to be held on July 25, 2010. The festival will be held in Philadelphia, PA, on the campus of Temple University. The theme of the festival is: "Dream Big, Change The World"
The purpose of this blog is to centralize as much information in one location as possible.
In regards to the July festival, if there has been a flyer, memo, announcement, sign-up form, YPG performance video (to practice), etc. e-mailed from the Territory, there is a very good chance you will find it here on this blog site.
We hope that having this site will help expedite the communication through the line as an additional resource, and not serve as an alternative to one-to-one dialogue, etc.
We thank you so much for your support to this point, and we can't wait to see you in Philadelphia! ROCK THE ERA WITH SENSEI! USA! USA!
In the January 22, 2010 World Tribune, President Ikeda writes, "The Colombian poet Angel Maria Cespedes wrote, 'The sun is ever young.' You are all radiant suns of kosen-rufu in the places of your mission. Therefore, please take action with youthful passion and enthusiasm. Encourage your fellow members, and brighten the organization with your warm and sunny presence."
(picture by Spicer)