The following message by Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada was translated from the March 2025 issue of the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal, Daibyakurenge.
Nichiren Daishonin declared: “Myo means to revive, that is, to return to life” (“The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 149).
The resilient members of our Tohoku family who endured the devastation of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami 14 years ago, along with every member who continues to press forward undaunted by any adversity, truly exemplify these words of the Daishonin. It is the Mystic Law that awakens the limitless strength inherent in human beings.
The profound teachings of the Buddha come to life through those who embody their essence. That is why our treasured friends of Soka, who practice in accord with the Buddha’s teachings, are most worthy of respect.
In his final lecture on the key passages from The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ikeda Sensei states with great conviction: “The principle that ‘ordinary people are identical with the highest level of being [i.e., Buddhahood]’ (OTT, p. 22) defines the true nature of the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, affirming that genuine Buddhas are not superhuman beings” (October 2024 Living Buddhism, p. 50).
The Otaru Debate, whose 70th anniversary will be commemorated on March 11, is one of the historic achievements that demonstrate this truth—that ordinary people are, in fact, supremely noble.
A member of the Soka Gakkai women’s division had fearlessly challenged the arrogant priests of the Nichiren Shu (the Minobu school of Nichiren Buddhism), advocating for justice and championing the true teachings of Buddhism. This ultimately led to the debate. I once had the opportunity to meet this woman. She hailed from a humble fishing village in Aomori and was an unassuming, down-to-earth woman of the people.
Under the guidance of second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, the debate was fully entrusted to the youth division, led by Ikeda Sensei. On the opposing side were university professors who were also registered priests represented Nichiren Shu. By contrast, the Soka Gakkai representatives had no formal titles or credentials to their names. However, Sensei’s resolute and confident opening statement as moderator for the Soka Gakkai side turned the tide of the debate from the outset. It ended in a resounding victory for the Soka Gakkai, and from that moment forward, our members in Hokkaido have seen remarkable growth.
As symbolized by the Otaru Debate, the history of the Soka Gakkai is a magnificent drama of the people’s revival and victory. Our movement pays no regard to one’s social position or prestige, academic stature or reputation. We reach out to others in dialogue and expand bonds of friendship as noble ordinary people—and this is how we open up the path of kosen-rufu.
This spirit encapsulated Sensei’s approach to dialogue. Even when engaging with the world’s thinkers and leaders, he never put on airs. Instead, he communicated the spirit of Buddhism as part of the natural flow of conversation.
In the preface to their dialogue published a half-century ago, the eminent British historian Arnold J. Toynbee (1889–1975) made it clear that both he and Sensei believed that humankind must make profound changes to ensure its survival. The grassroots dialogues conducted by Soka Gakkai members worldwide are the direct path to human revolution for oneself and others. With courage and conviction ablaze, let us once again actively engage in dialogue today!
March 7, 2025 World Tribune, p. 10
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