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.