Devil Defeated (pp 48-49)
‘Their enthusiasm and vigor seemed to have no limit. They were elated – almost overly so. They were intoxicated by the new strength they had discovered through their practice. At times they even felt annoyed by the guidance from the Tokyo leaders who had cared for them so far. On their part, the leaders from Tokyo were delighted to see things going so well. They overestimated their own ability to give guidance and from time to time goaded the Osaka members on to work harder. The local leaders grew loath to be ordered about by the Tokyoites. The Tokyo leaders felt highly indignant at the hostility they sensed in the locals. Friction frequently arose between the two. Their feud began to cause unexpected slips to occur in their activities, and they openly criticized each other for the errors.’
Who knows what evil lurks …?
A Tokyo leader and a local leader got into a heated argument. Shinichi, overhearing their rant, waited until they ran out of steam. Then he began to chew out the Tokyo leader, saying, in effect, that they should be friends, not enemies. The leader from Tokyo, realizing his mistake, apologized profusely. The Osaka guy, observing the behavior of the man from Tokyo, also became remorseful. Tension and silence prevailed.
Turning to the Osaka leaders, Shinichi scolded them as well, pointing out their arrogance and saying that they had forgotten the real enemy.
‘Misfortune comes from one’s mouth and ruins him, but fortune comes from one’s mind and makes him worthy of respect’
Quoting from the New Year’s Gosho, Shinichi continued his guidance, reading from the gosho On Itai Doshin as well. At last Shinichi felt that the devil had been defeated.
‘The tide of propagation, which rose higher and higher all over Osaka in April, kept the few Nichiren Shoshu temples in the prefecture extremely busy. Jomyji Temple in Miyakojima, for instance, was inundated every day with people desiring to receive the Gohonzon and those who introduced them to the faith. As a result, the nearby Sakuranomiya Station was crowded from morning til night.
Points to ponder
What caused the friction between the two groups?
Reflect on the gosho quote, ‘Misfortune comes from one’s mouth and ruins him, but fortune comes from one’s mind and makes him worthy of respect’
Consider Shinichi Yamamoto’s approach to solving the crisis.
Read the part about the gosho, On Itai Doshin. Reflect on the importance of unity. Could 800 soldiers really defeat 700,000 troops?
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Thursday, August 17, 2006
The Joy of Victory
The Joy of Victory (pp midcol1 46-47)
‘… the Soka Gakkai members in Kansai all made a great leap forward. They had never imagined that an outdoor general meeting could end so successfully in such terrible weather. Their confidence increased. They realized that they could do anything if they only tried… They had taken a great leap forward, a leap of joy.
‘… the Kansai members rose up. They plunged into their activities like arrows shot from a tautly-drawn bow. Every evening, discussion meetings, from district level down to unit level, were held all over the city – here in a house in a back alley, there in an apartment in a residential area. It was like so many flowers blooming all at once.’
The Kansai members could hardly believe their great success. They were filled with the joy of victory. All the leading newspapers, which had, until now, pretty much ignored the Sokagakkai, carried an article about the general meeting in their April 9 morning edition. The shakubuku result thus far in April (and it’s only the 9th) was reported to be well over 4000.
The super-energized members began to contact everyone within reach. Discussion meetings were being held in every corner of the land.
Points to ponder
What led to the success of the general meeting?
What can we do to initiate a groundswell of activity?
What do you think of the Asahi Shimbun’s report?
‘… the Soka Gakkai members in Kansai all made a great leap forward. They had never imagined that an outdoor general meeting could end so successfully in such terrible weather. Their confidence increased. They realized that they could do anything if they only tried… They had taken a great leap forward, a leap of joy.
‘… the Kansai members rose up. They plunged into their activities like arrows shot from a tautly-drawn bow. Every evening, discussion meetings, from district level down to unit level, were held all over the city – here in a house in a back alley, there in an apartment in a residential area. It was like so many flowers blooming all at once.’
The Kansai members could hardly believe their great success. They were filled with the joy of victory. All the leading newspapers, which had, until now, pretty much ignored the Sokagakkai, carried an article about the general meeting in their April 9 morning edition. The shakubuku result thus far in April (and it’s only the 9th) was reported to be well over 4000.
The super-energized members began to contact everyone within reach. Discussion meetings were being held in every corner of the land.
Points to ponder
What led to the success of the general meeting?
What can we do to initiate a groundswell of activity?
What do you think of the Asahi Shimbun’s report?
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Osaka-Sakai General Meeting
Osaka-Sakai General Meting (pp 44-midcol1 46)
President Toda, “I believe it is up to us to realize that only those who stand up and fight to save the people can be true disciples of Nichiren Daishonin. The Daishonin established the source of kosen-rufu when he inscribed the Dai-Gohonzon for the Main High Sanctuary, and left us the task of widely propagating the true object of worship. It is now the time for us to undertake that mission – the time to accomplish the movement for kosen-rufu by all means.”
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. President Toda precedes the top leaders to the platform. Several speakers are scheduled to address the audience. Due to the inclement weather they have decided to shorten their speeches.
Shinichi stated that the predominant religion or philosophy of a nation forms the foundation for the happiness of the people. He wanted the audience to understand that activities for kosenrufu were completely different from elections conducted for political purposes. Briefly mentioning the history of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, and the Daishonin’s declaration of Nam Myoho
Renge Kyo, he encouraged the participants to devote themselves to kosenrufu.
Sakai Chapter Chief Asada expressed his determination to overcome ‘any number of storms and blizzards’.
Josei Toda took the rostrum. He 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; if the people abandon these false religions and take correct faith they will become happy without fail. Without fail! He spoke of Nichiren Daishonin’s remonstration with authority. He further elaborated on his vision for kosenrufu.
Read more of President Toda’s address in Human Revolution Vol X.
Points to ponder
Read President Toda’s comments and think about his vision for kosenrufu and how to attain it. What is our role in this effort?
What is the fundamental purpose of SGI’s belief and practice?
General meetings on a large scale seem to be a thing of the past. What was the importance of activities such as the NSA conventions, regional meetings, etc.? Why are they gone?
President Toda, “I believe it is up to us to realize that only those who stand up and fight to save the people can be true disciples of Nichiren Daishonin. The Daishonin established the source of kosen-rufu when he inscribed the Dai-Gohonzon for the Main High Sanctuary, and left us the task of widely propagating the true object of worship. It is now the time for us to undertake that mission – the time to accomplish the movement for kosen-rufu by all means.”
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. President Toda precedes the top leaders to the platform. Several speakers are scheduled to address the audience. Due to the inclement weather they have decided to shorten their speeches.
Shinichi stated that the predominant religion or philosophy of a nation forms the foundation for the happiness of the people. He wanted the audience to understand that activities for kosenrufu were completely different from elections conducted for political purposes. Briefly mentioning the history of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, and the Daishonin’s declaration of Nam Myoho
Renge Kyo, he encouraged the participants to devote themselves to kosenrufu.
Sakai Chapter Chief Asada expressed his determination to overcome ‘any number of storms and blizzards’.
Josei Toda took the rostrum. He 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; if the people abandon these false religions and take correct faith they will become happy without fail. Without fail! He spoke of Nichiren Daishonin’s remonstration with authority. He further elaborated on his vision for kosenrufu.
Read more of President Toda’s address in Human Revolution Vol X.
Points to ponder
Read President Toda’s comments and think about his vision for kosenrufu and how to attain it. What is our role in this effort?
What is the fundamental purpose of SGI’s belief and practice?
General meetings on a large scale seem to be a thing of the past. What was the importance of activities such as the NSA conventions, regional meetings, etc.? Why are they gone?