Chronology

 
     
 
   
 
     
 

1920

Kakutaro Kubo begins formulating his idea of popularizing the teachings
of Siddhartha Gautama found in the Lotus Sutra.

1927

Kubo, along with Yasukichi & Kimi Kotani (Kubofs older brother and his
wife), formed a group called "Akasaka Reiyukai."

1928

The Blue Sutra (a collection excerpts from the Threefold Lotus Sutra)
was compiled and published.

1930

Reiyukai, located in the Akasaka district of Tokyo, was officially
inaugurated, with Kakutaro Kubo as Chairman of the Board and Kimi
Kotani as President.

1932

The "Womenfs Action Group," for various social service activities, was formed.

1934

Desiring to avoid potential conflicts associated with donations, the organization instituted a Uniform Membership Fee System to finance its activities.

"Guidelines for Members" was completed and announced.

1937

Construction of a Headquarters building was completed in the Iikura area
of Tokyo.

1944

Kakutaro Kubo passed away.

1948

A Memorial Tower for World Peace was constructed at the summit of Mt. Shichimen in commemoration of the 3rd anniversary of Kakutaro Kubofs death.

1949

The "Womenfs Action Group" was renamed as "Kunitomo (Friends of the Nation) Womenfs Group" and started large-scale social service activities nationwide.

1953

Their outstanding contributions to social improvement were recognized by The International Red Cross, and Kimi Kotani and Tsugunari Kubo (the son
of Kakutaro Kubo) were invited to participate in a worldwide study tour.

1954

The Reiyukai Youth Group was inaugurated. Tsugunari Kubo became its
first President. A Reiyukai Anti-Drug Campaign was initiated.

1958

Construction of the Kakutaro Kubo Memorial Hall is completed in Tokyo,
and it is donated to a social welfare organization.

1963

The Kimi Kotani Scholarship is established.

1964

Meiho Junior and Senior High Schools, commissioned by Kimi Kotani, are opened.

The Miroku Sutra (Maitreya Bodhisattva Sutra) was complied
and published.

The construction of the Mirokusan complex, a training retreat for youth members located on Mt. Togasa in the Izu Peninsula, was completed.

1971

Kimi Kotani passed away.

Tsugunari Kubo became the second President of Reiyukai.

Tsugunari Kubo launched the "Inner Trip: A Journey Into Your Heart" movement to promote Reiyukai internationally.

1972

Reiyukai Centers started to expand worldwide in more than 18 countries.

1975

The construction of "Shakaden," the grand meeting hall at the
Headquarters Complex, was completed.

1978

The 1st International Conference of the Reiyukai Youth Group Society
(YGS) is held.

The Nationwide High-School speech contest was inaugurated.

1980

Reiyukai's Inner Self Development campaign was initiated.

1985

Representatives from 14 countries participate in a Youth Speech Festival,
in Tokyo, Japan, to commemorate the United Nationsf International Youth Year. Following this initial event, similar festivals are held annually at individual Reiyukai Centers around the world, and international festivals
are held in the Asian, American, and European regions on a regular basis.

1987

The High School Student Music Festival was inaugurated.

1988

The Reiyukai Executive Council was inaugurated.

1989

Reiyukaifs Charter was completed and announced.

1990

Reiyukai participated in the "1990 International Garden and Greenery
Expo" held in Osaka, Japan. Its "Inner Trip Pavilion" was one of the
most popular attractions at the Expo.

The Sixth International Youth Year Speech Festival was held in
conjunction with "Expo f90." Representatives from 17 countries attended.

1991

The construction and donation of a Library of Culture Center at Lumbini Garden(the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha) was announced as a commemorative project in honor of the centennial anniversary of Kakutaro Kubofs birth.

1992

The Reiyukai International Operation for Cambodian Relief (RIOCR)
opened its office in Cambodia.

1993

The Reiyukai International Committee is inaugurated

The Reiyukai Kakutaro Kubo Memorial Inner Trip Project Foundation was established as a commemorative project for the 50th anniversary of Kakutaro Kubofs death.)

1996

Construction of "Inner Trip Plaza Kamiyamacho" (an experimental Senior Citizen-Youth residential co-op) was completed.

The International College for Advanced Buddhist Studies (ICABS) was established in Tokyo.

1998

"Fellowship Circles" were organized throughout Japan under the guidance
of Tsugunari Kubo

2004

"Heart of the Lotus, International" was established.
The Essential Lay Buddhism Study Center was established.

2005

"Guidelines for Members" was revised and announced.
Kokoro no Kai Memberfs Handbook (Japanese) was published.

2006

The second gThree Thousand Person Forumh was held.
gShiawase ni naru,h a collection of personal essays, was published (Japanese).
The third gThree Thousand Person Forum: was held.