Steep Path Wrapup

Steep Path Wrap-up

Shirota Goes to Jail
     Fujiya Shirota is rousted by police early one morning and hauled off to the detention center. Resolving to remain calm he performed gongyo and chanted daimoku, much to the amazement of his cellmates.

Sokagakkai Under Attack
     The arrest of six members caused consternation throughout Kansai. The sudden roundup was likely the result of pressure from other religious groups that were alarmed at the loss of so many members during the shakubuku campaign. Leaders resolved to crush the maneuvering of the authorities. President Toda was in Osaka at the time, He gave a lecture on the gosho, On Omens.

Agony in Osaka
     Shinichi Yamamoto delivers strong encouragement to leaders  to summon up the courage of a lion and never succumb to threats.

Shirota’s Campaign
     Shirota resolved to do shakubuku even though he was in jail. He engaged in lengthy discussions with his cellmates. One day the ‘boss’ decided to do gongyo with him. Then another. The jailers were dumfounded.

Shirota’s Struggle
     Details the early life of Shirota. Disappointed by being passed over for an appointment in the YMD, he received guidance from Shinichi to continue his efforts for kosenrufu. He pledged to do so.

Freedom
     Finally, the incarcerated members were released. They had been visited by Sokagakkai members who sent items to help ease jail life. Also, efforts by Shinichi and other top leaders resulted in the members spirits being at an all time high.

Deadlock
     The campaign in Tokyo was not going well. President Toda found it necessary to replace the responsible leader. He related the history of Taisekiji’s Five-storied pagoda which detailed the reasons for the failure of a young samurai who was rejected by an older, more senior top echelon.

Political Pressure
     Police become suspicious of the Sokagakkai when multitudes of members launched vigorous activities. No candidate other than those supported by the Sokagakkai could muster such a great number of workers. President Toda traveled all over Japan to give guidance and encouragement.

About Ittetsu Okada
     Ittetsu’s life is detailed. He became a district chief and was instrumental in the success of Kansai.

Election
     Some details of the election campaign of 1956. The Osaka members struggled valiantly until the end even in the face of unwarranted arrests and interrogations. President Toda meditates deeply about the steep path ahead.

PG Central 2006 General Meeting

PG Central 2006 General Meeting
"November 18th 2006 – Prince George’s Central Chapter held its general meeting today at the Washington DC Community Center. The theme of the meeting was “Action Plan for Creating a Culture of Peace”. Subtitled “Three steps can turn your life around – Faith, Practice, Study”
Donovan Rouse and Johnnie Hall welcomed the members and guests and introduce the theme. Maya Carol read President Ikeda’s message.
Our own Alex Cooper read a piece about what is needed for a culture of peace.
After singing the song “Today is a new day”, which introduced the solo debut of Rosie Gordon, the Ready for Kosenrufu Players, Tom Childress, Imani Afryka, Brian Mochizuki and Rosie Gordon Mochizuki, performed “Finding Peace: The Soap Opera” sponsored by Basics of Practice.
The audience then dialoged for a few minutes about how the dysfunctional family from hell could be salvaged. One popular recommendation was to send Jimi Lyons to their house for a home visit.
A pioneer experience video starring Joe and Nobuko Wolpert, produced and directed by Jimi Lyons was well received by the audience. Ken Hodge followed with a moving tribute.
Determinations were energetically delivered by Denise Green and Brian Mochizuki.
Tom Joray gave additional kind words about Joe and Nobuko including information about Nobuko’s early practice during President Toda’s leadership. He followed with comments about the three Soka Gakkai presidents.
Ken Hodge provided closing words and encouragement.
Masaaki Ewing led evening gongyo.

Election

Election

An even steeper mountain path
We are now entering.
Proceed with great care
On the journey of kosen-rufu.

     The election campaign of June 1956 was beset with obstacles. The members struggled mightily to combat election rule disobedience and official indifference to their complaints. Authorities carried out unwarranted arrests and interrogations, violating, in some cases, members civil rights. In spite of this, the members continued to fight admirably.
     Urged on by Shinichi Yamamoto, the Osaka members fought valiantly until the very end. He reported to President Toda that everything was fine in Kansai.
     President Toda, deeply concerned about the outcome of the campaign, meditated deeply throughout the night. He felt that the movement for kosenrufu had entered a steeper section of its path. Oblivious of the passage of time, he continued to think of the rugged terrain of mountains and valleys which stretched far into the future.

Points to ponder

     The courage of the members as they fought the campaign against huge obstacles.
     Shinichi Yamamoto’s devotion to Knasai.
     President Toda’s confidence in Shinichi ans his intuitive concern for the Tokyo campaign.

Southeast Zone Plan

At the November PG Area planning meeting, the zone plan for 2007 was announced. Next year will see increased emphasis on district discussion meetings with senior leaders pledging to be more visible.

Southeast Zone Plan for 2007

Theme: Year of Youth and Dynamic Growth

5 Keys for 2007: Prayer, Study, Caring for Others, Unity, Mentor and Disciple Relationship

Prayer
How can we ensure that our organization for kosenrufu continues to grow? First we should pray for the growth and good health of our fellow members. (President Ikeda WT 3/5/04)
“When all members pray to the Gohonzon with one mind, they will naturally find a way opening before them – a way to make the impossible possible.” (Human Revolution Vol 10)

Study
“Buddhist study provides us with a great philosophy that serves a a compass to traverse the stormy and perilous seas of life. The more solid our foundation in Buddhist study, the stronger our faith will grow. If, on the other hand, we lack a strong backbone of Buddhist study, we will be weak in a time of crisis.” – President Ikeda (WT 12/9/05 and 2006 Buddhist Learning Review Study Guide)

Study Materials for 2007:
President Ikeda’s February 13, 2004, speech “The World Awaits the SGI-USA” (WT, 3/5/04)
The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life (Living Buddhism Jan-Feb 2006)
Human Revolution Vol 10.

Caring for Others
Sharing Buddhism
Action Plan
Hold consistent introductory Buddhist meetings at a local level.
Encourage each member to invite one person to their monthly district meetings.
Encourage each member to participate in the one hour daily United Prayer.

How can we ensure that our organization for kosenrufu continues to grow?

Treasure our fellow members to the utmost.
It is vital that we sincerely respect each person’s individuality, personality and mission.
(President Ikeda’s Feb 13, 2004, speech – WT 3/5/04)
Districts should gather for statistics meetings every two months.
“Your efforts, unknown to others, will no doubt become your limitless good fortune, wisdom and glory, adorning your lives and your precious families lifetime after lifetime” (President Ikeda Dec 24, 2002 – Seikyo Shimbun)

Unity
“If the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the people, they will achicve all their goals” (WND p618)

“Many in body” acknowledges that people have different appearances, dispositions, abilities and tastes.
“One in mind” means that people share the purpose, values, hopes or wishes.
By sharing the same great vow of the Buddha, we create the spirit of “one in mind.”
“The ‘great vow’ refers to the propagation of the Lotus Sutra” (Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings p82; Jan-Feb 2006 Living Buddhism pp54,55)

Mentor and Disciple Relationship

Only through each disciple connecting directly to the mentor can the unity of “many in body, one in mind” be created. (Jan-Feb 2006 Living Buddhism p55)

About Ittetsu Okada

‘Ittetsu always sought guidance and executed everything precisely as he was told. By doing so, he built up his character as a leader of the Soka Gakkai. In the 1956 election, he was one of the persons responsible for the campaign in the Chugoku region. He seized every opportunity to go to Osaka and seek guidance from Shinich Yamamoto. He strictly – almost nervously in the eyes of those around him – maintained his determination to grow and help his members grow.’

Ittetsu Okada was born in 1921 to an influential merchant family. The family maintained faith in the Minobu Nichiren sect. His father, who became a qualified priest, founded his own group, the Kicho Sha, and began to propagate his version of the faith. Ittetsu’s mother was also an ardent believer.
Assigned to an artillery regiment in 1942, epileptic seizures, which he had begun to experience at an early age, led to his discharge from military service.
The Okada business experienced hard times. After the war’s end, Ittetsu married a woman from Osaka in a hastily arranged marriage.
In August of 1954, a shakubuku team came to Okayama. Ittetsu’s brother, who had joined in January, took him to the inn where the team was staying and introduced him to the team leader. After five days of intense debate, Ittetsu joined. He immediately began successful shakubuku activity.
With President Toda’s guidance to devote himself to correct faith, Ittetsu plunged himself into activities and became a district chief.
Ittetsu spearheaded a very successful Okayama rally attended by some 10,000 people, members and non-members alike.

Points to ponder

Read and contemplate President Toda’s guidance to Ittetsu about running his business.
Look for Ittetsu’s mother’s experiment.
This section describes Ittetsu’s background. Check it out!

Political Pressure

Political Pressure

     ‘First place, Osaka Chapter, 11,111 households.’
     .
     .
     ‘The Osaka Chapter had done it, everyone thought. It had exceeded the 10,000 mark by over 1,000 – and this in the midst of suffering during which six members had been arrested, while no such incident had taken place elsewhere in the country. Furthermore, there were thousands of other people in Osaka who had decided to join, but were delaying signing up for membership pending the outcome of the situation. Osaka’s results accounted for thirty-eight percent of the 28,973 households which had been converted throughout the country during May. With the addition of Sakai’s 1,515, the achievement in Kansai amounted to an amazing forty-four percent of the national total. Leaders from other areas were so shocked that the color drained from their faces. The applause continued for a long while, mingled with sighs of admiration and envy.’

     The May shakubuku results were announced at the monthly leaders meeting held in the Toshima public hall on May 31st. Osaka’s monumental success was a main topic of speakers. Katsu Kiyohara pointed out the ineffectiveness of the discussion meetings in Tokyo which were being held through mere force of habit.
     Josei Toda talked about the history of outlying area shakubuku activities. He encouraged the Tokyo members to conduct shakubuku on their home turf. He was delighted with the Osaka achievement but he expressed concern about the inactivity of the organization in Tokyo. He was also concerned about the coming elections. He urged the members to avoid committing illegal election activities
     When the election was announced, Gakkai members all over the country launched vigorous activities. Except for those recommended by the Sokagakkai, none of the candidates could muster such a great number of workers. The police became suspicious that the Sokagakkai was some sort of conspiratorial religious body and they opened secret investigations everywhere in the country.
     Josei Toda moved from place to place all over Japan to give guidance and encouragement to the members. Wherever he went he found a variety of accumulated problems. Beginning in late June, the police began interrogating Gakkai members on suspicion of house-to-house canvassing. So Toda had his work cut out. Some meetings were attended by thousands, sometimes even over 10,000.
     One such meeting was held in Ujo Park in Okayama city on June 29th. The meeting was attended by members from throughout the Chugoku region. The man in charge was the chief of the Okayama District, Ittetsu Okada. His district had converted 999 households in May, the best in Japan.
     Ittetsu Okada, a member for less than two years,  had been appointed district chief only a year earlier. Ittetsu’s rapid rise was due to the checkered career he had led before joining the Soka Gakkai.

Points to ponder

     Why was the Soka Gakkai engaged in the political process? Could SGI-USA support political candidates?
     Were the police wrong in being suspicious members activities?
     Reflect on Josie Toda’s determination.

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