Shirota Goes to Jail (62 – midcol 1 64)(1421 – 1427)
‘It might have been a discussion meeting in hell. Fujiya Shirota, a twenty-five-year-old missionary of kosen-rufu, began to deliver an elaborate discourse.’
In February, 1955, R Temple demanded that all Gohonzons that had been bestowed on Sokagakkai members be returned. The Head Temple admonished R Temple for its unreasonable request. R Temple later seceded from the Head Temple. Some YMD members encountered Priest S in the suburbs of Osaka one day and asked him to explain his preposterous demand. The priest tried to avoid the YMD. A scuffle ensued and the priest filed a complaint. The police interrogated one of the young men but no further investigation followed.
In May, 1955, a woman member of one district recanted and allowed the members of another sect to take away her Gohonzon. Goro Sagawa managed to negotiate the return of the Gohonzon, but there was an altercation between a YMD and several followers of the other sect resulting in a police investigation. After interrogating the YMD, the police declined to continue the investigation.
In January, 1956, members of a group gathered at the group chief’s house for a New Year’s party. Two former members crashed the party. In a drunken rampage they turned over tables and broke the glass doors. The members got together and ejected the two, one of whom fell at the entrance and got a lump over his eye. There was no police involvement at the time.
Now the local police had resurrected these cases in an apparent attempt to discredit the Sokagakkai. Six men were eventually detained.
Fujiya Shirota, a leader of the YMD corps staff, was rousted from a sound sleep early in the morning of May 15th by several plainclothes detectives and escorted to the police station. But Shirota insisted on doing gongyo before he would leave his apartment. His interrogation lasted into the evening and it was decided that he would be detained at the police station. As usual personal effects were collected but Shirota rebelled when they demanded his omamori Gohonzon. They settled, finally, for the attached cord. Shirota kept the Gohonzon safely in his shirt pocket.
In the detention room inmates stared at Shirota malevolently but he resolved to remain calm. He did evening gongyo in spite of the jailer’s admonition. Then, the next morning, after he had done gongyo, the senior inmate of the cell, the “boss”, questioned him about reciting the sutra. There followed an impromptu discussion meeting.
Shirota asserted that his was the only religion in the world that could make anyone happy. “You have been branded bad men because you did something against the law”, he said. “I admit that it is absolutely wrong to violate the law of the land, but there is one thing I want to ask you. Why did you become so wicked as to violate the law? It is because of your destiny – because your lives are terribly and fundamentally poisoned by the false religions which have been handed down from generation to generation in your families. Therefore, what should be blamed are these false religions, not you yourselves.”
The dumbfounded inmates had never heard anything like this before.
Points to ponder
Imagine Shirota’s plight as he was unceremoniously h auled off to the police station and detained overnight. Yet he kept his cool and never missed gongyo.
What must the other inmates have thought about Shirota’s actions?
How should we deal with unfounded police charges?
Friday, September 29, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Steep Path
Steep Path
The police try to disrupt the Soka Gakkai’s campaign in Osaka by arresting six members. Shinichi reminds the leaders about the three powerful enemies and the persecutions of the past. Toda senses the campaign in Tokyo is failing. Osaka Chapter converts 11,111 families in May, an unprecedented result.
Notes publication will be:
29 Sep - Shirota Goes to Jail (62 – midcol 1 64)(1421 – 1427)
5 Oct - Sokagakkai Under Attack (midcol 1 64 – 66)1427 – 1432)
10 Oct - Agony in Osaka (67 – midcol 1 69)(1432 – 1436)
15 Oct - Shirota’s Campaign (midcol 1 69 – midcol 1 71)(1436 – 1441)
20 Oct - Shirota’s Struggle (midcol1 71 – 72)(1441 – 1444)
25 Oct - Freedom (73 – near end 74)(1444 – 1447)
30 Oct - Deadlock (near end 74 – midcol 2 76)(1447 – 1450)
4 Nov - Political Pressure (midcol 2 76 – 78)(1450 – 1455)
9 Nov - About Ittetsu Okada (79 – near end col 1 81)( 1455 - 1459)
14 Nov - Election (near end col 1 81 – 86)(1459 – 1469)
19 Nov – Wrap-up
The police try to disrupt the Soka Gakkai’s campaign in Osaka by arresting six members. Shinichi reminds the leaders about the three powerful enemies and the persecutions of the past. Toda senses the campaign in Tokyo is failing. Osaka Chapter converts 11,111 families in May, an unprecedented result.
Notes publication will be:
29 Sep - Shirota Goes to Jail (62 – midcol 1 64)(1421 – 1427)
5 Oct - Sokagakkai Under Attack (midcol 1 64 – 66)1427 – 1432)
10 Oct - Agony in Osaka (67 – midcol 1 69)(1432 – 1436)
15 Oct - Shirota’s Campaign (midcol 1 69 – midcol 1 71)(1436 – 1441)
20 Oct - Shirota’s Struggle (midcol1 71 – 72)(1441 – 1444)
25 Oct - Freedom (73 – near end 74)(1444 – 1447)
30 Oct - Deadlock (near end 74 – midcol 2 76)(1447 – 1450)
4 Nov - Political Pressure (midcol 2 76 – 78)(1450 – 1455)
9 Nov - About Ittetsu Okada (79 – near end col 1 81)( 1455 - 1459)
14 Nov - Election (near end col 1 81 – 86)(1459 – 1469)
19 Nov – Wrap-up
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Leap Forward Wrapup
Leap Forward Wrap-up
Singin’ in the Rain (pp 41-43)
On April 8,1956, the Osaka-Sakai General Meeting was held outdoors in steadily falling rain. An intense shakubuku campaign, led by Shinichi Yamamoto, preceded the meeting and the members were in high spirits.
Osaka-Sakai General Meting (pp 44-midcol1 46)
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.
Shinichi stated that the predominant religion or philosophy of a nation forms the foundation for the happiness of the people.
Josei Toda 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.
The Joy of Victory (pp midcol1 46-47)
The Kansai members could hardly believe their great success. They were filled with the joy of victory. The shakubuku result thus far in April (and it’s only the 9th) was reported to be well over 4000. Discussion meetings were being held in every corner of the land.
Devil Defeated (pp 48-49)
The Osaka members, buoyed by their recent success, began to resent receiving direction from the Tokyo leaders. The Tokyo leaders thought the Osaka leaders were becoming arrogant. Shinichi Yamamoto took them al to task, stressing unity as the a key to kosenrufu.
Kansai Campaign (pp 50-midcol2 52)
Ceremonies commemorating the High Priest Nichijun inauguration were held with 700,000 Sokagakkai members making the pilgrimage to Taisekiji.
Osaka chapter reported a 9,002 shakubuku result for April; Sakai chapter – 1,111. Shinichi was certain that 10,000 converts by the Osaka chapter would be possible in the May campaign.
The Osaka Chapter leader’s meeting was held as scheduled amid boundless enthusiasm. Shinichi strongly encouraged the members to achieve victory in May.
Victorious Kansai (midcol2 52-midcol2 54)
The amazing accomplishment of Kansai profoundly affected leaders from other areas. A senior leader chastised the Tokyo leaders for their lukewarm practice. Another called for more emphasis on discussion meetings instead of planning and organizational meetings. President Toda talked at length on the conduct of shakubuku.
The Sleeping Lion (midcol2 54-55)
District Chief Kazuyuki Sagawa proclaimed, ‘The sleeping lion has now arisen!’as he began his remarks at the Abeno district rally held in the Nakanoshima public hall on May 2nd and attended by close to 3,000 people. Their amazing success was a tribute to Shinichi’s leadership.
Young Lions (pp 56-58)
The 14th general meeting took place on May 3rd attended by over 30,000 leaders from across the country. Several speakers addressed the attendees, jubilant over the amazing growth of the Sokagakkai.
Kansai Digs In (pp 59-61)
Shinichi’s actions kept Osaka buzzing. He continued to do gongyo with the top leaders and give them a gosho lecture every morning. Discussion meetings were taking place all over the country every day.
Singin’ in the Rain (pp 41-43)
On April 8,1956, the Osaka-Sakai General Meeting was held outdoors in steadily falling rain. An intense shakubuku campaign, led by Shinichi Yamamoto, preceded the meeting and the members were in high spirits.
Osaka-Sakai General Meting (pp 44-midcol1 46)
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.
Shinichi stated that the predominant religion or philosophy of a nation forms the foundation for the happiness of the people.
Josei Toda 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.
The Joy of Victory (pp midcol1 46-47)
The Kansai members could hardly believe their great success. They were filled with the joy of victory. The shakubuku result thus far in April (and it’s only the 9th) was reported to be well over 4000. Discussion meetings were being held in every corner of the land.
Devil Defeated (pp 48-49)
The Osaka members, buoyed by their recent success, began to resent receiving direction from the Tokyo leaders. The Tokyo leaders thought the Osaka leaders were becoming arrogant. Shinichi Yamamoto took them al to task, stressing unity as the a key to kosenrufu.
Kansai Campaign (pp 50-midcol2 52)
Ceremonies commemorating the High Priest Nichijun inauguration were held with 700,000 Sokagakkai members making the pilgrimage to Taisekiji.
Osaka chapter reported a 9,002 shakubuku result for April; Sakai chapter – 1,111. Shinichi was certain that 10,000 converts by the Osaka chapter would be possible in the May campaign.
The Osaka Chapter leader’s meeting was held as scheduled amid boundless enthusiasm. Shinichi strongly encouraged the members to achieve victory in May.
Victorious Kansai (midcol2 52-midcol2 54)
The amazing accomplishment of Kansai profoundly affected leaders from other areas. A senior leader chastised the Tokyo leaders for their lukewarm practice. Another called for more emphasis on discussion meetings instead of planning and organizational meetings. President Toda talked at length on the conduct of shakubuku.
The Sleeping Lion (midcol2 54-55)
District Chief Kazuyuki Sagawa proclaimed, ‘The sleeping lion has now arisen!’as he began his remarks at the Abeno district rally held in the Nakanoshima public hall on May 2nd and attended by close to 3,000 people. Their amazing success was a tribute to Shinichi’s leadership.
Young Lions (pp 56-58)
The 14th general meeting took place on May 3rd attended by over 30,000 leaders from across the country. Several speakers addressed the attendees, jubilant over the amazing growth of the Sokagakkai.
Kansai Digs In (pp 59-61)
Shinichi’s actions kept Osaka buzzing. He continued to do gongyo with the top leaders and give them a gosho lecture every morning. Discussion meetings were taking place all over the country every day.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Kansai Digs In
Kansai Digs In (pp 59-61)
‘Wherever Shin’ichi went, he created a mighty whirlpool of propagation. He was bold at times, prudent at others. If there were many participants but the meeting lacked vigor, he would encourage them by dancing to the song, “Kuroda Bushi.” If it was a quiet gathering of a small number of people, he would do gongyo together with them and give each one of them detailed and elaborate guidance. He sometimes went out to suburban cities, places in which he was a total stranger. On such occasions he would continue chanting daimoku in a low voice in the car all the way to his destination and back. No one noticed this, but it was as if he were challenging the vast area of Osaka yet unknown to him and planting the seeds of daimoku as he went.’
Shinichi was in Osaka for an extended stay. At the Sakai chapter leaders meeting he said, in part, “We are about to engage in the greatest campaign we have ever faced. Let each of us summon up the courage of a lion, as the Daishonin urges, and fight with all our might, never ceasing to advance.” The chapter members were determined to achieve a record result in May.
The Osaka chapter districts were competing with each other to achieve the highest shakubuku result But some districts were falling behind and those members were becoming impatient. The leader of one such district, Motoe Asada, called the leaders to attend a two hour daimoku toso. The result was remarkable. All the district members moved in unity, inviting many guests to the meeting. All the guests were willing to try chanting. Everyone was jubilant!
Some leaders seemed to be overwhelmed by the pace of activities. At times they neglected their work, spending all their time on religious practice, hoping for a release from their predicament. Shinichi would give stern guidance when he encountered this condition. His passionate guidance encouraged these leaders to reflect on their attitude and begin to challenge their difficult lives with renewed courage.
At a YWD meeting, Shinichi answered a number of questions. Among them was a question about why some girls were born with good looks and others were not. To which Shinichi talked about karmic retribution, When he discovered that one of the young women sneaked away from her job to attend the afternoon meeting, he harshly told her to return to work immediately. Later he called her employer to apologize for the young woman. The employer, who wasn’t friendly toward the Sokagakkai, accepted Shinichi’s apology. The employer would later become more cooperative to that employee.
Shinichi’s actions kept Osaka buzzing. He continued to do gongyo with the top leaders and give them a gosho lecture every morning. Discussion meetings were taking place all over the country every day.
On May 13th a festival to celebrate the completion of the waterworks at Taisekiji was held with 1,100 leaders attending at the invitation of former High Priest Nissho Mizutani. Taisekiji had suffered from a shortage of water since its founding 700 years earlier. Finally, after many attempts to drill a well, a district chief was successful in bringing it in. He had been ready to give up but President Toda encouraged him on. A great time was had by all!
Points to ponder
Contrast these highly focused activities with today’s divergent slate.
Shinichi Yamamoto, the driving force behind the Osaka campaign, enables many Osaka district leaders to stand up. What lessons can be learned from this?
‘Wherever Shin’ichi went, he created a mighty whirlpool of propagation. He was bold at times, prudent at others. If there were many participants but the meeting lacked vigor, he would encourage them by dancing to the song, “Kuroda Bushi.” If it was a quiet gathering of a small number of people, he would do gongyo together with them and give each one of them detailed and elaborate guidance. He sometimes went out to suburban cities, places in which he was a total stranger. On such occasions he would continue chanting daimoku in a low voice in the car all the way to his destination and back. No one noticed this, but it was as if he were challenging the vast area of Osaka yet unknown to him and planting the seeds of daimoku as he went.’
Shinichi was in Osaka for an extended stay. At the Sakai chapter leaders meeting he said, in part, “We are about to engage in the greatest campaign we have ever faced. Let each of us summon up the courage of a lion, as the Daishonin urges, and fight with all our might, never ceasing to advance.” The chapter members were determined to achieve a record result in May.
The Osaka chapter districts were competing with each other to achieve the highest shakubuku result But some districts were falling behind and those members were becoming impatient. The leader of one such district, Motoe Asada, called the leaders to attend a two hour daimoku toso. The result was remarkable. All the district members moved in unity, inviting many guests to the meeting. All the guests were willing to try chanting. Everyone was jubilant!
Some leaders seemed to be overwhelmed by the pace of activities. At times they neglected their work, spending all their time on religious practice, hoping for a release from their predicament. Shinichi would give stern guidance when he encountered this condition. His passionate guidance encouraged these leaders to reflect on their attitude and begin to challenge their difficult lives with renewed courage.
At a YWD meeting, Shinichi answered a number of questions. Among them was a question about why some girls were born with good looks and others were not. To which Shinichi talked about karmic retribution, When he discovered that one of the young women sneaked away from her job to attend the afternoon meeting, he harshly told her to return to work immediately. Later he called her employer to apologize for the young woman. The employer, who wasn’t friendly toward the Sokagakkai, accepted Shinichi’s apology. The employer would later become more cooperative to that employee.
Shinichi’s actions kept Osaka buzzing. He continued to do gongyo with the top leaders and give them a gosho lecture every morning. Discussion meetings were taking place all over the country every day.
On May 13th a festival to celebrate the completion of the waterworks at Taisekiji was held with 1,100 leaders attending at the invitation of former High Priest Nissho Mizutani. Taisekiji had suffered from a shortage of water since its founding 700 years earlier. Finally, after many attempts to drill a well, a district chief was successful in bringing it in. He had been ready to give up but President Toda encouraged him on. A great time was had by all!
Points to ponder
Contrast these highly focused activities with today’s divergent slate.
Shinichi Yamamoto, the driving force behind the Osaka campaign, enables many Osaka district leaders to stand up. What lessons can be learned from this?
Monday, September 11, 2006
Young Lions
Young Lions (pp 56-58)
Shirota was taunted by his peers and Kazuyuki Sagawa, who implied that he was a girly-man, gave him a black eye. Undaunted, Shirota persisted in his effort to shakubuku Sagawa. Sagawa’s wife suffered from severe asthma. She would worship the Shinto talisman, Inari, while Shirota did gongyo. Her condition steadily worsened.
Shirota finally convinced the Sagawas to take the faith in November 1952. Mrs. Sagawa found immediate relief from her asthma. By May ’56 Goro had become a chapter executive, Mr. & Mrs. Sagawa became district chief and assistant district chief, and Shirota was on the YMD corps staff.
Back to the Abeno district rally – Kazuyuki is speaking:
‘”We are all young lions,” he called out to his 3,000 members. “As such, let us struggle to the limit of our capabilities during May so that we will have nothing to regret. Let us pledge to fight it out to the end so that not only will we be able to win the honor of being the best district in the chapter, but so that each and every one of us will have taken one giant step forward in our human revolution.”’
The 14th general meeting took place on May 3rd attended by over 30,000 leaders from across the country. Several speakers addressed the attendees, jubilant over the amazing growth of the Sokagakkai.
Points to ponder
Shirota’s effort to shakubuku Sagawa
Shinichi Yamamoto’s address at the 14th general meeting
President Toda’s address at the 14th general meeting
Shirota was taunted by his peers and Kazuyuki Sagawa, who implied that he was a girly-man, gave him a black eye. Undaunted, Shirota persisted in his effort to shakubuku Sagawa. Sagawa’s wife suffered from severe asthma. She would worship the Shinto talisman, Inari, while Shirota did gongyo. Her condition steadily worsened.
Shirota finally convinced the Sagawas to take the faith in November 1952. Mrs. Sagawa found immediate relief from her asthma. By May ’56 Goro had become a chapter executive, Mr. & Mrs. Sagawa became district chief and assistant district chief, and Shirota was on the YMD corps staff.
Back to the Abeno district rally – Kazuyuki is speaking:
‘”We are all young lions,” he called out to his 3,000 members. “As such, let us struggle to the limit of our capabilities during May so that we will have nothing to regret. Let us pledge to fight it out to the end so that not only will we be able to win the honor of being the best district in the chapter, but so that each and every one of us will have taken one giant step forward in our human revolution.”’
The 14th general meeting took place on May 3rd attended by over 30,000 leaders from across the country. Several speakers addressed the attendees, jubilant over the amazing growth of the Sokagakkai.
Points to ponder
Shirota’s effort to shakubuku Sagawa
Shinichi Yamamoto’s address at the 14th general meeting
President Toda’s address at the 14th general meeting
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
The Sleeping Lion
The Sleeping Lion (midcol2 54-55)
‘The sleeping lion has now arisen!’
So proclaimed District Chief Kazuyuki Sagawa as he began his remarks at the Abeno district rally held in the Nakanoshima public hall on May 2nd and attended by close to 3,000 people. District Chiefs present as guests were stunned by such an exclamation from the normally reserved Sagawa. After a moment of shock they erupted in explosive applause. The crowed roared!
Abeno district’s astounding success was actual proof that Shinichi’s sustained effort to develop Kansai had paid off!
Flashback:
Prior to becoming a Sokagakkai member Kazuyuki Sagawa had endured many hardships in building a successful business. His brother, Goro, who worked in Kazuyuki’s business, became a Sokagakkai member. He had been introduced by a client. Goro, in turn, introduced a coworker, Fujiya Shirota, and told him that if he ever missed gongyo he would surely meet an accident during his travels as a salesman. Consequently Shirota regretted having taken this ‘awful’ faith but resolved to persevere. After all, he was a youth from Kyushu, home of manly men.
The lion sleeps - Kazuyuki is not yet a member – stay tuned.
Points to ponder
Imagine a 3,000 member district. How did they do it?
How would you react to guidance such as that offered by Goro to Shirota? If you miss gongyo, you’re toast.
Read about Kazuyuki Sagawa’s early life.
‘The sleeping lion has now arisen!’
So proclaimed District Chief Kazuyuki Sagawa as he began his remarks at the Abeno district rally held in the Nakanoshima public hall on May 2nd and attended by close to 3,000 people. District Chiefs present as guests were stunned by such an exclamation from the normally reserved Sagawa. After a moment of shock they erupted in explosive applause. The crowed roared!
Abeno district’s astounding success was actual proof that Shinichi’s sustained effort to develop Kansai had paid off!
Flashback:
Prior to becoming a Sokagakkai member Kazuyuki Sagawa had endured many hardships in building a successful business. His brother, Goro, who worked in Kazuyuki’s business, became a Sokagakkai member. He had been introduced by a client. Goro, in turn, introduced a coworker, Fujiya Shirota, and told him that if he ever missed gongyo he would surely meet an accident during his travels as a salesman. Consequently Shirota regretted having taken this ‘awful’ faith but resolved to persevere. After all, he was a youth from Kyushu, home of manly men.
The lion sleeps - Kazuyuki is not yet a member – stay tuned.
Points to ponder
Imagine a 3,000 member district. How did they do it?
How would you react to guidance such as that offered by Goro to Shirota? If you miss gongyo, you’re toast.
Read about Kazuyuki Sagawa’s early life.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Victorious Kansai
Victorious Kansai (midcol2 52-midcol2 54)
‘The headquarters leaders meeting was held at the Toshima Public Hall in Tokyo on May 1. As had been expected, the participants were astounded by the Osaka Chapter’s exploit. A single chapter converting 9,002 households in one month! It was the most spectacular achievement in the history of the Soka Gakkai. Indeed, it was as if a dream cherished for 700 years had come true… When Sakai’s 1,111 was added, the results achieved by the two chapters in Kansai amounted to well over 10,000, nearly forty-two percent of the nationwide total.’
Shock and awe.
The amazing accomplishment of Kansai profoundly affected leaders from other areas. A senior leader, while lauding the Kansai accomplishment, chastised the Tokyo leaders for their lukewarm practice. Another called for more emphasis on discussion meetings instead of planning and organizational meetings. Leaders should lead the way, he said, instead of just showing up late, offering a few words of encouragement and running off to some more important engagement. Neither of these leaders, however, understood the intense effort that Shinichi had made to develop Kansai.
President Toda, perceiving that the atmosphere in the hall was stiffening, invited some long distance members to the platform, as if to thank them for the trouble they had taken. He then initiated a question and answer session during which he gave guidance on a number of issues. A member asked about how to conduct shakubuku. President Toda talked at length on that subject. Strongly encouraged by President Toda the leaders were filled with resolve as they headed back to their respective regions..
Points to ponder
Reflect on Katsu Kiyohara’s remarks.
What do you think about Yukio Ishikawa’s comments about the actions of Tokyo leaders?
Consider President Toda’s talk about how to conduct shakubuku.
‘The headquarters leaders meeting was held at the Toshima Public Hall in Tokyo on May 1. As had been expected, the participants were astounded by the Osaka Chapter’s exploit. A single chapter converting 9,002 households in one month! It was the most spectacular achievement in the history of the Soka Gakkai. Indeed, it was as if a dream cherished for 700 years had come true… When Sakai’s 1,111 was added, the results achieved by the two chapters in Kansai amounted to well over 10,000, nearly forty-two percent of the nationwide total.’
Shock and awe.
The amazing accomplishment of Kansai profoundly affected leaders from other areas. A senior leader, while lauding the Kansai accomplishment, chastised the Tokyo leaders for their lukewarm practice. Another called for more emphasis on discussion meetings instead of planning and organizational meetings. Leaders should lead the way, he said, instead of just showing up late, offering a few words of encouragement and running off to some more important engagement. Neither of these leaders, however, understood the intense effort that Shinichi had made to develop Kansai.
President Toda, perceiving that the atmosphere in the hall was stiffening, invited some long distance members to the platform, as if to thank them for the trouble they had taken. He then initiated a question and answer session during which he gave guidance on a number of issues. A member asked about how to conduct shakubuku. President Toda talked at length on that subject. Strongly encouraged by President Toda the leaders were filled with resolve as they headed back to their respective regions..
Points to ponder
Reflect on Katsu Kiyohara’s remarks.
What do you think about Yukio Ishikawa’s comments about the actions of Tokyo leaders?
Consider President Toda’s talk about how to conduct shakubuku.