The Joy of Victory (pp midcol1 46-47)
‘… the Soka Gakkai members in Kansai all made a great leap forward. They had never imagined that an outdoor general meeting could end so successfully in such terrible weather. Their confidence increased. They realized that they could do anything if they only tried… They had taken a great leap forward, a leap of joy.
‘… the Kansai members rose up. They plunged into their activities like arrows shot from a tautly-drawn bow. Every evening, discussion meetings, from district level down to unit level, were held all over the city – here in a house in a back alley, there in an apartment in a residential area. It was like so many flowers blooming all at once.’
The Kansai members could hardly believe their great success. They were filled with the joy of victory. All the leading newspapers, which had, until now, pretty much ignored the Sokagakkai, carried an article about the general meeting in their April 9 morning edition. The shakubuku result thus far in April (and it’s only the 9th) was reported to be well over 4000.
The super-energized members began to contact everyone within reach. Discussion meetings were being held in every corner of the land.
Points to ponder
What led to the success of the general meeting?
What can we do to initiate a groundswell of activity?
What do you think of the Asahi Shimbun’s report?
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Osaka-Sakai General Meeting
Osaka-Sakai General Meting (pp 44-midcol1 46)
President Toda, “I believe it is up to us to realize that only those who stand up and fight to save the people can be true disciples of Nichiren Daishonin. The Daishonin established the source of kosen-rufu when he inscribed the Dai-Gohonzon for the Main High Sanctuary, and left us the task of widely propagating the true object of worship. It is now the time for us to undertake that mission – the time to accomplish the movement for kosen-rufu by all means.”
1pm, 8 April 1956. The members are in high spirits, singing one gakkai song after another. The Osaka-Sakai general meeting opens in the pelting rain. President Toda precedes the top leaders to the platform. Several speakers are scheduled to address the audience. Due to the inclement weather they have decided to shorten their speeches.
Shinichi stated that the predominant religion or philosophy of a nation forms the foundation for the happiness of the people. He wanted the audience to understand that activities for kosenrufu were completely different from elections conducted for political purposes. Briefly mentioning the history of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, and the Daishonin’s declaration of Nam Myoho
Renge Kyo, he encouraged the participants to devote themselves to kosenrufu.
Sakai Chapter Chief Asada expressed his determination to overcome ‘any number of storms and blizzards’.
Josei Toda took the rostrum. He declared that he wished to dispel poverty from all the members in the area. He went on to discuss the evils of false religion in light of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism; if the people abandon these false religions and take correct faith they will become happy without fail. Without fail! He spoke of Nichiren Daishonin’s remonstration with authority. He further elaborated on his vision for kosenrufu.
Read more of President Toda’s address in Human Revolution Vol X.
Points to ponder
Read President Toda’s comments and think about his vision for kosenrufu and how to attain it. What is our role in this effort?
What is the fundamental purpose of SGI’s belief and practice?
General meetings on a large scale seem to be a thing of the past. What was the importance of activities such as the NSA conventions, regional meetings, etc.? Why are they gone?
President Toda, “I believe it is up to us to realize that only those who stand up and fight to save the people can be true disciples of Nichiren Daishonin. The Daishonin established the source of kosen-rufu when he inscribed the Dai-Gohonzon for the Main High Sanctuary, and left us the task of widely propagating the true object of worship. It is now the time for us to undertake that mission – the time to accomplish the movement for kosen-rufu by all means.”
1pm, 8 April 1956. The members are in high spirits, singing one gakkai song after another. The Osaka-Sakai general meeting opens in the pelting rain. President Toda precedes the top leaders to the platform. Several speakers are scheduled to address the audience. Due to the inclement weather they have decided to shorten their speeches.
Shinichi stated that the predominant religion or philosophy of a nation forms the foundation for the happiness of the people. He wanted the audience to understand that activities for kosenrufu were completely different from elections conducted for political purposes. Briefly mentioning the history of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, and the Daishonin’s declaration of Nam Myoho
Renge Kyo, he encouraged the participants to devote themselves to kosenrufu.
Sakai Chapter Chief Asada expressed his determination to overcome ‘any number of storms and blizzards’.
Josei Toda took the rostrum. He declared that he wished to dispel poverty from all the members in the area. He went on to discuss the evils of false religion in light of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism; if the people abandon these false religions and take correct faith they will become happy without fail. Without fail! He spoke of Nichiren Daishonin’s remonstration with authority. He further elaborated on his vision for kosenrufu.
Read more of President Toda’s address in Human Revolution Vol X.
Points to ponder
Read President Toda’s comments and think about his vision for kosenrufu and how to attain it. What is our role in this effort?
What is the fundamental purpose of SGI’s belief and practice?
General meetings on a large scale seem to be a thing of the past. What was the importance of activities such as the NSA conventions, regional meetings, etc.? Why are they gone?
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Singin' in the Rain
Singin’ in the Rain (pp 41-43)
‘No one can stop anyone or anything that advances with the resoluteness of the dawning sun. Any group, in its pioneering stage, has a force as powerful as a tidal wave. However, the only thing which can enable that current to flow on into eternity is faith.’
It had been a dark and stormy night. On April 8, 1956, 20,000 Sokagakkai members were poised for the Osaka-Sakai General Meeting in an open air arena, Rain fell steadily. Members gathered to chant for fair weather. The weather bureau issued a storm warning. And yet, from early morning the members began to assemble.
Leaders were undecided about what to do. Shinichi Yamamoto had prepared a foul weather plan but, seeing the members’ courageous attitude, he was loath to change the plan for the outdoor meeting.
Intense shakubuku had been carried out in the days preceding the general meeting. Shinichi had opened the way for unit chiefs to conduct unit discussion meetings in addition to the ongoing group meetings. Many unit chiefs joyously began conducting meetings in their areas. One unit chief, who lived in Osaka, was in a group based in Kobe, some 20 miles away. He immediately started unit meetings where he lived, inviting friends and neighbors, and achieving a great result.
Decision time approached. Because of the weather Shinichi anguished about keeping to the plan for the outdoor meeting. With sudden realization he gave the go ahead for the outdoor meeting. The crowd roared! The band played on! The townspeople were stunned. The general meeting opened at 1pm.
Read the exiting details in Human Revolution Vol X
Points to ponder
What!!? An outdoor meeting in the wind & rain? The rain that day measured nearly 2”. The wind averaged almost 10mph. The average high temperature in Osaka in April is 59 degrees.
What kind of activities led to the members’ determination?
What revelation enabled Shinichi to allow the outdoor meeting?
Next week: Osaka-Sakai General Meeting.
‘No one can stop anyone or anything that advances with the resoluteness of the dawning sun. Any group, in its pioneering stage, has a force as powerful as a tidal wave. However, the only thing which can enable that current to flow on into eternity is faith.’
It had been a dark and stormy night. On April 8, 1956, 20,000 Sokagakkai members were poised for the Osaka-Sakai General Meeting in an open air arena, Rain fell steadily. Members gathered to chant for fair weather. The weather bureau issued a storm warning. And yet, from early morning the members began to assemble.
Leaders were undecided about what to do. Shinichi Yamamoto had prepared a foul weather plan but, seeing the members’ courageous attitude, he was loath to change the plan for the outdoor meeting.
Intense shakubuku had been carried out in the days preceding the general meeting. Shinichi had opened the way for unit chiefs to conduct unit discussion meetings in addition to the ongoing group meetings. Many unit chiefs joyously began conducting meetings in their areas. One unit chief, who lived in Osaka, was in a group based in Kobe, some 20 miles away. He immediately started unit meetings where he lived, inviting friends and neighbors, and achieving a great result.
Decision time approached. Because of the weather Shinichi anguished about keeping to the plan for the outdoor meeting. With sudden realization he gave the go ahead for the outdoor meeting. The crowd roared! The band played on! The townspeople were stunned. The general meeting opened at 1pm.
Read the exiting details in Human Revolution Vol X
Points to ponder
What!!? An outdoor meeting in the wind & rain? The rain that day measured nearly 2”. The wind averaged almost 10mph. The average high temperature in Osaka in April is 59 degrees.
What kind of activities led to the members’ determination?
What revelation enabled Shinichi to allow the outdoor meeting?
Next week: Osaka-Sakai General Meeting.