The History of Soka Gakkai & The Three Presidents Part - 3

 

Quiz - https://quizizz.com/join?gc=76749308

Key Points / Summary:

Shared Struggle of Mentor and Disciple to Rebuild the Soka Gakkai

1. Taking Toda Sensei as his mentor, he deepened his study and understanding of Buddhism and vowed to live his life for the sake of kosen-rufu.
2. In Jan 1949, he started to work at Toda’s publishing company as the editor of a magazine for boys.
3. Ikeda Sensei exerted himself fully to settle Toda’s business affaris, solving the financial crisis, owning full responsibility so that Toda Sensei can focus completely on Soka Gakkai.
4. On the other hand Toda Sensei took complete care of young Ikeda, personally instruct him, provide him with a broad education which Ikeda Sensei fondly call “Toda University”.
5. Toda Sensei would continue to personally instruct and educate Ikeda Sensei till very last year of his death.
6. He would share his vision for the future, establishing Soka University, making Seikyo Shimbun a newsletter to spread kosen-rufu etc.
7. Daisaku Ikeda took each of his vision and dream into heart and made it reality.

Toda Sensei vow to achieve 750,000 households membership

1. Having overcome business troubles, finally Toda Sensei agreed to become Soka Gakkai president on May 3, 1951.
2. On May 3, 1951, as a Soka Gakkai president, he declared his vow to achieve 750,000 households when at that time only 3,000 households were practising !!
3. His young disciple, Daisaku Ikeda, watched as his mentor made this declaration, and he determined in his heart to accomplish the goal so bold that some assumed that President Toda had misspoken
4. Toda Sensei trusted Ikeda Sensei for this task as well and directed him to became chapter advisor for Kamata chapter in Tokyo.
5. For the first time, in a single discussion meeting, 201 new households joined in the month of Feb 1952.
6. This event, known as Kamata Campaign gave thrust to kosen-rufu activities across Japan and became a turning point after which the Soka Gakkai’s progress toward achieving its membership goal of 750,000 households accelerated rapidly.
7. Also in April 1952, Nichiren Daishonin’s letter which we also call Gosho were compiled, edited and published so that everyone can base their faith and take guidance through Gosho itself.
8. In May 1956, Ikeda Sensei led propagation campaign in Osaka chapter and achieved an unprecedented membership increase of 11,111 households in just one month.
9. And finally in Dec 1957, within just 6 years, Soka Gakkai achieved the target of 750,000 households from just bein 3,000 !!

Soka Gakkai Entry into Politics

1. In April 1955, Soka Gakkai decided to enter into elections based on principle of “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land”.
2. Remarkable increase in propagation activities especially in places like Kansai and Osaka was getting noticed by everyone.
3. Major daily newspaper in Japan were covering these propagation activities and Soka Gakkai’s entry into politics.
4. Further, in recent election, three candidates endorsed by Soka Gakkai had been elected to the House of Councillors.
5. The sudden emergence of a burgeoning grassroots network that could impact on national politics was greeted as a threatening development by the political establishment.
6. Vester powers and interests began to attempt conspire ways to stop the Soka Gakkai organization.

Yubari Coal Mining Incident - June 1957

1. In Yubari area, which is dominated by coal mines and unions, Soka Gakkai candidate won defeating union supported candidate.
2. The union, feeling threatened, initiated a campaign of intimidation and media propaganda against Soka Gakkai members and their families in the town, most of whom worked in or were in some way affiliated with the coal mines.
3. Soka Gakkai members working in the mines were harassed and threatened, houses of Soka Gakkai members marked and their prayer meetings disrupted.
4. Door-to-door visits were organized to persuade members to renounce their faith, and many felt their livelihoods threatened.
5. Toda dispatched Ikeda to Yubari to resolve the situation.
6. Under his leadership the local Gakkai members rallied and openly challenged the constitutionality of the union's actions, calling on them to justify their assault against the freedoms of speech and religion.
7. Unable to publicly defend itself, the union backed down and ceased its harassment.

This, however, was merely the beginning of the Gakkai's struggles.

Osaka Incident - July 3, 1957

1. Just after leaving Yubari, Ikeda was unjustly arrested by Osaka Police.
2. A few Soka Gakkai members were charged with soliciting votes during the election and Ikeda was arrested as main accused.
3. This incident - arrest of Ikeda Sensei in Osaka on Jul 3, 1957 is known as Osaka Incident.
4. A number of Soka Gakkai members had been charged with violating the random vote solicitation clause of the Election Law and the prosecutors accused Ikeda of responsibility.
5. Ikeda was subjected to 15 days of intense interrogation.
6. He was threatened to admit the crime else they will arrest President Toda who was very frail at that time.
7. Arresting him and putting him through jail and interrogation would have surely led to his death.
8. To protect his mentor and Soka Gakkai, Daisaku Ikeda admitted the charges for time being.
9. Finally on July 17, he was released from prison.
10. Over next four and half years, Ikeda Sensei fought batter in court and finally on Jan 25, 1962 he was pronounced guilty of all charges.

Mar 16 - Kosen-Rufu Day

1. On March 16, 1958, Just a few months after achieving a target of 750,000 households, 6000 youth were gathered at Grand Lecture Hall, Taiseki-ji.
2. They were called upon from all over the Japan on the call of their mentor Josei Toda
3. At this ceremony, Toda Sensei entrusted them with every aspect of kosen-rufu.
4. This was the day when baton of kosen-rufu was passed on to young successors. They were entrusted with the great wish and vow for kosen-rufu.
5. This day is celebrated as “Kosen-Rufu Day” in Soka Gakkai.
6. Just a few days after, on April 2, 1958, Toda Sensei passes away. He was 58 year old.
7. Basing himself on the awakening he achieved while in prison, buit Soka Gakkai and constructed indestructible foundation for kosen-rufu.