Chapter Summary
Illustration courtesy of Seikyo Press.
On July 28, Shin’ichi Yamamoto attended the first all-Japan Soka Gakkai Writers Department general meeting. He appealed to them that the mission of the Writers Department is to expose lies and malicious reporting that seek to agitate the people, and “to forge a fresh climate of public opinion in which true peace and happiness can develop” (The New Human Revolution, vol. 8, p. 184).
Shin’ichi visited the city of Nagano on July 30 to attend the Chubu No. 2 Headquarters Leaders Meeting. Then on the evening of July 31, he participated in the August young men’s division leaders meeting in Tokyo. The “Song of Worldwide Kosen-rufu” debuted at this meeting. The youth expressed through this song their vow to respond to President Yamamoto’s call made in his essay “Youth, Become World Leaders!”
The completion ceremony for the new headquarters building took place in September. With the new facility as a focal point, the Soka Gakkai initiated a fresh wave of activities toward the essential phase of kosen-rufu that would commence the following year. In addition, to steadily build a base for the Soka Gakkai’s cultural movement, Shin’ichi established the Minshu Ongaku Kyokai (The People’s Concert Association), better known as the Min-On Concert Association. He had great hope that the establishment of Min-On would help create a new culture.
Around this time, a serious issue arose in a certain area of Japan involving a region leader and money. This case of misconduct brought home the essential nature of devilish functions that seek to throw the organization into disarray. Shin’ichi commended the members who had surmounted this great obstacle for upholding pure faith, and he encouraged them to “keep that pure stream of faith running throughout your lives” (NHR-8, 248).
Unforgettable Scene
Illustration courtesy of Seikyo Press.
Always Basing Ourselves on the Mentor’s Example
Before the guidance trip to South America in the summer of 1963, Shin’ichi spoke about the sense of responsibility the leaders should have during the trip.
On the evening of August 11, the last day of the training course, Vice General Director Seiichiro Haruki and Director and South America General Chapter Leader Hiroshi Yamagiwa departed from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport for Argentina.
They were the first of the leaders who embarked on overseas guidance trips that summer. After a layover in Vancouver, British Columbia, they flew on to Argentina, after which they visited Paraguay, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. In all these countries, they met with members to offer guidance and encouragement. They were scheduled to return to Japan on August 29 …
The regional summer guidance tours that were conducted around Japan since the early years of the Soka Gakkai were now taking place on a global scale.
Before departing for South America, Haruki and Yamagiwa, who were in charge of some of the sessions during the summer training course, went to see Shin’ichi. After confirming that they were going to pass through Mexico, Shin’ichi said: “I will never forget that just before Josei Toda died, he told me happily that he dreamt he had visited Mexico. He said that everyone there was waiting, that they were seeking the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin. He said he wanted to go there, to go everywhere for kosen-rufu.
“I want you two to go to South America with the strong awareness that you are going in President Toda’s stead. Wherever I go, I always act with that in mind. I ask myself, ‘What would President Toda do in my place? How would he approach this challenge?’ I also always ask myself if President Toda would be pleased with what I am doing. That has allowed me to give my best and to have courage. That, to me, is how to live the way of mentor and disciple.”
Shin’ichi continued: “If I could, I would like to go to Mexico, Argentina and Peru myself. I would like to visit every country in the world and encourage everyone I meet with all my might. But I just do not have the time right now. So you are going in my place, too. Since you are making this trip, you must pour your all into encouraging and guiding the members … ” After this, Haruki and Yamagiwa left for South America with renewed determination. (NHR-8, 194–95)
Key Passages
Like the Daishonin who said, “But still I am not discouraged” (“The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 748), what is important is to continue speaking out for justice. Such an invincible cry of the spirit moves the hearts of others. A true warrior of words is a person with indomitable conviction. (NHR-8, 183)
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Soka Gakkai activities are all aimed at helping members deepen their faith and at advancing the cause of kosen-rufu. If this basic purpose is forgotten by just trying to put on a good show, then such activities lose their meaning and purpose. (NHR-8, 202)
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