TOKYO, May 16 /PRNewswire/ --

On Thursday May 15, the Soka Gakkai made a donation to the Chinese Government in response to Monday's devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province which officials say may eventually claim more than 50,000 lives.

Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada visited the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo to inform Ambassador Cui Tiankai of the donation of 30 million yen (US$287,000) to support relief and rescue efforts. He also conveyed Honorary President Daisaku Ikeda's message of condolence and concern.

Ambassador Cui responded "We would like to thank everyone in the Soka Gakkai for this kind gesture." He added that the donation would serve as great encouragement to the disaster victims.

In addition SGI-Macau donated 200,000 pataca (US$24,900) to the Macau Special Administrative Region Government on May 13, and SGI-Hong Kong gave 300,000 HKD (US$39,500) to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on May 14.

Soka Gakkai is a lay Buddhist association with 10 million members in Japan that has over 30 years' history of educational and cultural exchange with China. Its humanitarian relief activities are part of the longstanding tradition of Buddhist humanism.

Contact: Joan Anderson Office of Public Information Soka Gakkai International Tel: +81-3-5360-9482 Fax: +81-3-5360-9885 sgicontact@sgi.org www.sgi.org

Website: http://www.sgi.org

Joan Anderson, Office of Public Information of Soka Gakkai International, +81-3-5360-9482, Fax: +81-3-5360-9885, sgicontact@sgi.org