Agony in Osaka

Agony in Osaka (67 – midcol 1 69)(1432 – 1436)

Shinichi Yamamoto speaking:
“No matter what the problem, we must always seek the solution in our faith, which is as indestructible as a diamond. There is a letter which the Daishonin wrote Shijo Kingo when the latter was having difficulties in his association with his colleagues. In it he said, ‘Employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra before any other. Then, just as the sutra says, “All enemies are crushed.” These golden words will never prove false. Believe them wholeheartedly… A coward cannot have any of his prayers answered.’ ”

     Turmoil. President Toda, Shinichi and other senior leaders were alert to the impact the arrests had on the membership.
     Leaders were reluctant to talk at the morning gongyo/gosho lecture. Pressed to report, Tojiro Ueda said that everyone was fine, that the meeting broke up earlier than usual and that he thought the members were secretly frightened. “Isn’t it you who are frightened?”, interrupted Shinichi.
     Shinichi then spoke at length, reminding them what their attitude toward faith should be. Some points of his talk:

• The most pressing question is how quickly we can cope with this situation and how effectively we can fight against it.


• We must always seek a solution in our faith.


• The Daishonin warns that a common mortal must meet various obstacles on the road to Buddhahood.


• Each of us must summon up the courage of a lion and never succumb to threats from manyone.


• We must reaffirm the prime point of faith and advanced kosenrufu in a dignified manner.

At the end of Shinichi’s speech the devil had been expelled and the leaders had the lion’s fortitude.

Points to ponder

     Shinichi’s remarks to the Osaka leaders.
     Tojiro Ueda’s account of the discussion meeting.
     The difficulty of caring for thousands of new members in such an oppressive environment.