Fresh Air A New Beginning

Fresh Air – A New Beginning (94 - 96, 1485 – 1490)

     ‘For the past few years, there had been too many meetings that did not involve actual shakubuku. The chapter leaders meeting, district chief meeting, group chief meeting, unit chief meeting, and so on – these alone took at least five precious days out of the month. Now they would be reduced to a minimum. A vibrant air, which had characterized the early stages of the Soka Gakkai, would revive, beginning at the grass roots.’

     Soka Shock! The Soka Gakkai’s election success totally surprised the general public. Three unknown candidates had won election victory! A newspaper article called it a “wonder of wonders”. Astounded media people, who wanted to interview Josei Toda, swarmed the Soka Gakkai Headquarters. Their questions showed their thought that the Gakkai had become a political organization. It seemed that they only sought information that could be used to discredit the Soka Gakkai. They could not understand Toda’s explanation of the Gakkai ideology.
     Soka Sad. Toda was stressed out over the despair of members whose candidates had lost.
     Soka Care. Toda decided that he must send a fresh breeze into the members’ hearts. He saw to it that all the chapters had leaders meetings in order to inspire the dejected members. He also prepared for the appointment of a large number of new leaders. As he moved about the country during the past two months, he had met those people who were the mainstay of the membership. He began a thorough study of appointment possibilities.
     Shinichi Yamamoto attended the Osaka leaders meeting on July 12th. He congratulated them on their great victory. He then emphasized that what really counts are our activities from now on. He explained that the road to kosenrufu is long and steep. Sometimes we may win, sometimes we may lose, but, no matter what, we must carry through our faith.
     Various leaders meetings were held in July. At the monthly headquarters leaders meeting top leader appointments were made. Fresh air began to permeate the membership.
     President Toda was the final speaker at the July Headquarters Leaders Meeting. He lamented that three candidates had lost but rejoiced that three others had won. Indeed, the news media were astounded that any had won at all! But, the president said, we shouldn’t rejoice when newspapers praise us nor should we be depressed if they speak ill of us. Rather, we should walk straight along the correct path of faith.
     At a senior leaders meeting held during the annual summer course at the Head Temple, it was decided to form 16 new chapters. Also, the axis of of Gakkai activities would be discussion meetings, with emphasis on those at the unit level.
     Soka Gakkai was, once again, ready to battle for kosenrufu.