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.