Singapore Soka Association Buddhist organization. The association, which promotes a general understanding of Buddhism, is based on the practice of Nichiren Buddhism— a school of Buddhism founded in 13th- century Japan. The term soka means ‘value creation’ in Japanese. The association began as a small community of believers at a time when Nichiren Buddhism was largely unheard of in Singapore. The growth of the Nichiren community was mainly due to Koh Kian Boon, who assumed spiritual leadership as the group’s first general director. Koh and other pioneer leaders facilitated the organization’s legal registration under the name of the Singapore Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association in 1972.

In 1991, the Nichiren clergy became mired in controversy after declaring that lay believers who did not subordinate themselves to the authority of the priesthood would be excommunicated. The organization changed its name to Singapore Soka Association (SSA) in 1992, in part to dissociate itself from the controversy.

In 1992, Ong Bon Chai became the second general director. Under Ong’s leadership, the SSA expanded its membership to about 28,000 people; established eight Soka activity centres islandwide; and established itself as a civic organization engaged in community services, cultural activities and educational work. Events in which the SSA has been involved include National Day parades and Chingay performances. It has also established the Soka Wind Ensemble, the Soka Chorus and Junior Choir, the Sunflower Dance Troupe and the Soka Kindergarten.