Soka Gakkai’s educational and cultural efforts are rooted in a humanistic vision of “value-creating” education, expressed most visibly through its network of Soka schools and universities. These institutions, from kindergartens through secondary schools to Soka University in Japan and Soka University of America in the United States, emphasize student-centered learning, global citizenship, peace, human rights, and environmental sustainability. Academic programs are often complemented by international exchange, language education, and scholarship opportunities, as well as research in areas such as peace studies. In this way, formal education becomes a vehicle for nurturing individuals who can engage the world with both intellectual rigor and a deep sense of responsibility.

Beyond formal schooling, Soka Gakkai sustains a rich culture of Buddhist study and community-based learning. Regular discussion meetings and study gatherings explore Nichiren Buddhist teachings and their application to daily life, often drawing on published materials and proposals that address themes such as peace, human rights, and nonviolence. Leadership development and mentor–disciple–oriented study programs seek to cultivate inner transformation alongside practical skills like public speaking and community engagement. These activities suggest an understanding of education not merely as the transmission of knowledge, but as an ongoing process of character formation and ethical reflection.

Cultural programs form another vital strand of Soka Gakkai’s work, functioning as a bridge between inner spiritual growth and the wider society. Music and performing arts groups—such as youth orchestras, brass bands, choral ensembles, and various dance and drama groups—offer members opportunities to develop discipline, cooperation, and creativity. Large-scale cultural festivals, concerts, and local performances often highlight themes of peace, coexistence, and respect for diversity, while art and photography exhibitions provide additional avenues for aesthetic and spiritual expression. Institutions like concert associations and art museums further extend this cultural mission by promoting international exchange through music and the visual arts.

A distinctive feature of Soka Gakkai’s outreach lies in its peace and culture exhibitions and related educational initiatives. Traveling exhibits on topics such as nuclear disarmament, human rights, sustainability, and the transition from a culture of violence to a culture of peace are displayed in schools, universities, and public venues around the world. These are frequently accompanied by guided tours, study materials, and discussion sessions, turning viewing into an active learning experience. Community activities, including volunteer efforts, environmental awareness campaigns, and interfaith dialogues, complement these exhibitions by encouraging participants to translate insight into concrete action. Taken together, these educational and cultural programs express a consistent aspiration: to foster global citizens whose inner transformation is inseparable from their contribution to peace and the flourishing of culture.