By Elizabeth Baier
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posted June 4 2006

Am-myoho-renge-kyo. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Translated: "I devote my life to the mystic law of cause and effect through the teaching."

The chant is meant to awaken Buddha-hood within each person.

It was also what united hundreds of South Florida members of Soka Gakkai International USA, an American Buddhist association that runs the Florida Nature and Culture Center in Weston, to celebrate the center's 10th birthday on Saturday.

"When we chant what we're trying to do is awaken the condition of Buddha-hood and virtues that will help us create peace in the world through individual happiness," said Ellen Soto, South Florida regional director for SGI-USA. "Today is a day to celebrate our growth."

The festivities included an open house with colorful displays of world regions and cultures, informational sessions in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and musical performances.

The Florida Nature and Culture Center opened 10 years ago in Weston and now touts more than 2,200 members, more than double the members throughout Florida in 1996. The center moved to the 125-acre property after SGI-USA closed a smaller location in what is now Aventura.

Soka Gakkai International USA seeks to promote peace and personal happiness based on the teachings of the Nichiren school of Mahayana Buddhism.

The festivities continued throughout the afternoon, with women dancing merengue near the Caribbean tent, children lining up near the Middle Eastern display to get henna drawn on their hands and men playing bongos near the African tent.

"I love it; this is so beautiful," said Shahnaz Zadeh, 32, of Coral Springs. Zadeh, a Muslim Iranian, performed native Persian dances like Shomali and Bandari and sang Badabahary, a traditional Persian song, even though she is not a member of the center.

Zadeh said, "Buddha, Jesus and Mohammed to teach us to love each other and be there for each other."

Delray Beach resident Lynn Bochner, 63, echoed the feeling.

"It's not every day that you see all the cultures side by side like this," Bochner. "Wouldn't it be nice if the whole world were like this?"