Osaka Campaign

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THE OSAKA CAMPAIGN

Learning from the Struggles of President Ikeda in his Youth
Part 1 of 3
(This collection of reflections, recollections and testimonials was
translated by 41 members of the Kansai World Group and
presented to SGI President Daisaku Ikeda on November 18, 2003)
BREAKING BARRIERS!
I will do it
ust how does one make ones mentors vision a reality? The
answer lies in the actions of the disciple. How does a disciple
struggle to realise his or her mentors great desire to achieve
kosen-rufu? What were the thoughts of President Ikeda during
his youth?
The following entry dated
March 29, 1956 (Thursday) appears in A Youthful Diary:
1952: Built a great foundation for
Kamata Chapter
1953: Tremendous growth in
Bunkyo Chapter
1954: Established the foundation
and achieved great progress for
the Youth Division
1956: Will finally lead in earnest
in this springs battle in Osaka
Will finally: The determination of President Ikeda (then a
youth of 28 years) to devote his entire being to the accomplishment
VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007
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of his mentors great desire shines out clearly. The following is also
written. The next three years will determine the outcome of my
life.
Two years after President Ikeda made this entry, his mentor
passed away. It was without a doubt the true moment of struggle.
Only one genuine disciple was aware that the time for kosen-rufu
had come, and exerting one hundred million eons of effort in a
single life-moment, he delved into the Osaka Campaign.
I am staking my whole life
What made the tremendous victory possible in the Osaka
Campaign? How was the ever-victorious history established?
The second president Josei Toda told one of the leaders,
Just as Daisaku said, I will take full responsibility for the Osaka
Campaign, I am going to let him do it. This was around April
1955.
In Thoughts on The New Human Revolution, President
Ikeda writes: When Toda Sensei became the second president of
the Soka Gakkai, one of the first things I said to him was: For
the future development of kosen-rufu in Japan, we should give
top priority to constructing a chapter in Osaka, the capital of the
people. My mentor replied on the spot: All right. If thats what
you think, Daisaku, go to Osaka and build a chapter there.
President Ikeda volunteered to take the lead in the Osaka
Campaign, which was deemed impossible to win. His dedicated
willingness paved the way for victory.
The entry dated October 31, 1955 in A Youthful Diary
states: This battle (in Osaka) will determine my destiny. My
only recourse is to believe in the Buddhist gods protection. No,
rather than simply parroting Buddhist terms, I must first dedicate
my entire spirit, my essence. Only then can I expect protection
from the Buddhist gods.
Was there anyone who was even aware of President Ikedas
agony in the depths of his heart?
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When President Ikeda said to one of the leaders from Tokyo,

Ill take you to Osaka, the leader thought that President Ikeda
would take him there for sightseeing. Only after struggling under
the leadership of President Ikeda for some time did he realise
Senseis firm resolve to make the impossible possible.
Giichiro Shiraki, then Chapter Chief of Osaka
I once expressed my determination in front of Ikeda Sensei: It
seems to be very difficult for us to win in this campaign.
However, even if we lose this time, I will keep fighting until I
win. Although this was said in a spirit of earnest determination,
Sensei refuted it, saying, Im staking my whole life on this
campaign. We cannot afford to lose, no matter what happens.
With deep regret, I realised my shallowness. I then felt that I
could sense Senseis unwavering determination.
Preparation accounts for 90 per cent of the task to accomplish

the goal
From September 1954, President Ikeda visited Osaka once a month
to give lectures to candidate members of the study department in
Kansai. The novel The Human Revolution states, He put his
extraordinary passion into every single word of his lectures.
The leaders who had fought with President Ikeda said,
After arriving in Osaka, Sensei told us that preparation
accounts for 90 per cent of the battle. If you want to achieve your
goal, you should make thorough preparation behind the scenes.
President Ikeda was steadily making preparations alone without
anyone knowing. He and the members in Kansai were tied in a
deep bond since that time.
Tadashi Murata, then Vice Chapter Chief of Osaka
In September 1954, the first Gosho lecture by President Ikeda
was held in Osaka. We studied the Gosho without a break from
morning to afternoon. There is one Gosho passage that I cannot
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forget. I, Nichiren, do not cry, but my tears flow ceaselessly. I

shed my tears not for worldly affairs but solely for the sake of
the Lotus Sutra (WND-1, 386).
Sensei encouraged us, saying, For the sake of the
Gohonzon, for the sake of kosen-rufu, we should struggle with
an earnest and sincere spirit as if we were shedding tears. Live
your life to the fullest as a Soka Gakkai member. Inspired by
his fervour, I felt as if my entire body was trembling.
In the midst of the Osaka Campaign in 1956, there was a
severe shortage of leaders who could take care of new members
because of the rapid expansion of membership. Amidst this
situation, the members who had attended Senseis Gosho lectures
during 1954 and 1955 developed into group or district leaders to
support the organisation as core members.
Kotoe Ousaka, then a Womens Division Group Chief
In September 1954, I went to Osaka from Kyoto to attend a
Gosho lecture as a candidate member of the study department,
carrying the Gosho that I had managed to buy. Although I was
in the neighbourhood of the venue, I just couldnt locate the
meeting place. While looking round on the street, I saw a
smart-looking young man walking in my direction. I thought,
Wow! Osaka is such a big city and so different from what I
imagined. Even men walking on the street look different. This
young man looks so sophisticated. The man caught my eye and
passed by me.
At the meeting place, the Osaka Chapter Chief, Mr Giichiro
Shiraki, introduced the lecturer to us. Oh, he is the man I saw a
little while ago, I remembered. That very person was, to my
surprise, President Ikeda.
He delivered a lecture filled with great passion and firm
conviction. I had never known that there was such a wonderful
person in the Soka Gakkai. I was enveloped with a sense of
ineffable delight when he said, From head to toe, your entire
body is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
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Up until that moment, with the collapse of my husbands

company, the ensuing poverty and other hardships, I had
lamented why I alone was so unhappy. But suddenly the sun of
hope rose brilliantly in my heart.
Akiko Kurihara, then a young womens division corps chief
Sensei and Kansai: In Kansai, we called Dr Ikeda Sensei
right from the start. We referred to Mr Toda as President.
For Kansai, with only a short history of practise, Sensei had
always been with us literally since every one of us took faith. It
was Ikeda Sensei who taught us the greatness of President Toda
and the dynamics of this faith from the beginning of our practise.
**********
FAITH
IN THE
GOHONZON: THE
STARTING POINT
Produce fire from damp wood

It was late in the afternoon on January 4 when President Ikeda
arrived in Osaka by the express train Swallow and visited the
Kansai headquarters for the first time.
This Gohonzon is truly great. It has been inscribed for the
prosperity of the Great Law and fulfilment of all prayers. This
means that the Great Law will spread in Kansai and all prayers will
be fulfilled, signifying that we have already won this campaign
this is what Sensei declared soon after arriving in Osaka. The
struggle for victory starts from faith in the Gohonzon.
The first Gosho passages Sensei quoted were, praying as
earnestly as though to produce fire from damp wood, or to
obtain water from parched ground (WND-1, 444) and Employ
the strategy of the Lotus Sutra before any other (WND-1,
1001).
He taught us to have the great conviction that no prayers
would be unanswered if you chanted to the Gohonzon. You
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must start from sincere and strong prayers to the Gohonzon.

When everyones prayers become one and reach the Gohonzon,
the path to make the impossible possible will surely unfold.
One of the leaders at the time said, None of us was aware
that behind the scenes Sensei was praying as though he was
exerting a hundred million aeons of effort. It was only after the
campaign that he disclosed to us he had been chanting so that
everyone, including people in the world of hell and even those in
the world of hunger, would all participate in this campaign.
Another pioneer leader says, One day, Sensei told us why he
prayed so earnestly. The first reason was that If we were defeated,
President Todas plan for the future would collapse. Second,
Losing in this campaign means losing in the first campaign.
Thats why I chanted, We must make the impossible possible.
Tadashi Murata, then Vice Chapter Chief
I believe it was the beginning of 1956 when the senior leaders of
Osaka gathered and did gongyo with Sensei on the third floor of
the Kansai headquarters. The chanting started and continued for
an hour. My legs hurt very badly and I kept wondering when it
would end so I kept looking at Senseis back while I was chanting.
I think we must have chanted eventually for about two hours.
At that time, even the senior leaders had been practising for
only three or four years. I myself joined in 1953 and was in the
third year of my practise. Of course, I knew that chanting was
important and I was doing gongyo regularly but could only chant
for 20 minutes at most. Sensei sensed such an atmosphere in
Osaka and taught us the importance of daimoku through his
action at the beginning of the campaign.
During the same period there was a report from a local
member who said, Sensei was chanting in the car.
In those days it was rare for ordinary people to ride in a car.
So the member thought that Sensei was chanting because he was
not used to riding in cars and afraid of traffic accidents. The
member said to Sensei, Its okay, Sensei, I wont cause any
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accidents. But Sensei answered, I am infiltrating daimoku into

the earth of Osaka. Soon afterwards a storm of chanting was
raised in Osaka.
Senseis words still echo in my heart, Daimoku is the fount
of everything.
Hitoshi Tsuji, then a Young Mens Division Group Chief
At the Kansai headquarters at midnight, after attending the
YMD planning meeting, I opened the door of the chanting room
in order to chant three daimoku
before going home. I was completely
awe-stricken with what I saw
Sensei was chanting earnestly by
himself.
I straightened myself, impressed by
Senseis solemn attitude of chanting
alone at midnight while everyone else
must have already been asleep. He
was exerting a hundred million aeons
of effort in a single moment of life.
**********
ADVANCE CHEERFULLY, DANCING
WITH JOY
A cheerful atmosphere attracts people

The following day, January 5, Senseis second day in Osaka, a
district chiefs meeting was held in the evening. At first, President
Ikeda disclosed in detail how poor their strength in Kansai was
and how far they were from victory. He did so because he knew
that only the truth could work as a springboard to help them
make firm resolutions (The Human Revolution).
Everyone was expecting strict guidance regarding the
election campaign; nevertheless, President Ikeda reacted in a
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completely opposite way. He suggested dancing to

Kurodabushi, saying, Why dont we dance? He said, People
will be attracted to a place where there are songs, tears and
laughter.
Kiichiro Aoki, then a Vice District Chief
On January 5, I attended a district chiefs meeting at the Kansai
headquarters. I was astonished to hear President Ikedas voice for
the first time. It was refreshing and yet full of vitality. He was
slim but his voice reverberated powerfully in my heart.
He told us that it would be a hard-fought campaign.
Although everyone was determined to do their best in the
campaign which seemed impossible to win they couldnt
help but feel anxious after realising the gravity of the situation. I
wondered if President Ikeda could have read the atmosphere. He
said, Lets sing Kurodabushi since we still have time. And
then he danced composedly. His free movements were those of a
young warriors pre-battle dance.
Then he called out, Since this is our first campaign in
Kansai, is there anybody who wants to dance? In response, one
person came up to the front and danced.
Bursts of laughter broke out around the room over the
ridiculous motions of the dancer whose movements were not in
rhythm with the song at all. Eventually, I also went up to the
front and danced.
Everyone laughed outright. My awkward dance must have
seemed hilarious to everyone, although I was doing it seriously.
Overwhelmed by President Ikedas confidence-filled guidance, I
must have become so excited that I danced without thinking.
He finished up with yet another wonderful dance, and told
us, Well continue to fight during this campaign while dancing.
Lets advance cheerfully. The tense atmosphere inside the room
was dispersed, turning into a lighter and brighter one. My mind
became as clear as a cloudless sky and I was filled with a strong
sense of determination to fight.
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Powerful and strong prayers and the most effective action

The primary essence of victory is powerful and strong prayers.
And the second-most important essence is the best strategy and
the most effective action. Achieving victory is not possible only
with the primary essence, or with the secondary essence alone.
Only when both are perfectly harmonised does the impossible
become possible. What brings about this harmony is faith.
President Ikeda asked at the district leaders meeting on
January 5: How can we harmonise powerful and strong
prayers with the best strategy and the most effective action?
Only through faith. In other words, unity.
However, nobody understood the real meaning of unity.
How could they unite? A difficult lecture would not make them
understand. President Ikeda sang a song and danced in front of
them. He let them learn of their own accord what unity was in
a cheerful atmosphere filled with bursts of laughter.
One of the leaders commented, We felt that the struggle
for the campaign started from dancing. I would practise dancing
before going to bed. Looking back at it now, I feel embarrassed
about how ignorant I was. Later, however, I realised everything.
President Ikeda taught us what unity was all about through
dancing. We would not have understood it otherwise.
**********
WHAT WE SHOULD RELY ON ARE THE GOHONZON AND THE GOSHO
Start the battle based on study
There are only two things which I should rely on, the Gohonzon
and the Gosho (The Human Revolution).
President Ikeda started the struggle with study as the basis.
Both on his first day of battle in Osaka, January 4, and during his
second stay there (from January 14 to 16) he held energetic
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question-and-answer sessions for prospective study department

members. On his third visit (January 29), he even acted as an
interviewer for the study examination.
Fumiko Inishi, then a Young Womens Division Unit Chief
As I lived near Osaka Station, I would often see off President
Ikeda with some of the youth division members. I sometimes
saved a seat for him in the third-class car, because it was usual
for him to encourage members on the platform till the last
minute. Even after the train started to leave, we still asked for his
guidance, shouting, Sensei! Sensei!
I had another chance to meet him at an oral examination
held for candidates of the study department. He was the
interviewer. He said, You always saw me off at Osaka Station,
didnt you? Thank you very much. He remembered me, though
I had never received guidance from him personally. I was so
moved.
I took the oral examination with only poor knowledge of
study. I was asked about the Daishonins leaving of Mt Minobu.
I was so overwhelmed that I answered something like, Priest
Nikko was so sober, and serious as a gravestone, wearing the
formal attire of a samurai.
Sensei laughed and laughed merrily, saying, Who ever told
you that? The atmosphere relaxed at once.
One of the senior members from the pioneer days told us
laughingly of an anecdote referring to how inexperienced the
members in Kansai were: We were told that if we do kingyo
(gongyo) every morning and evening and do a seppuku
(shakubuku) a month, we can get koutoku (kudoku). This was
during those days when the members lacked basic knowledge of
Buddhist terms.
Setsuko Sugihara, then a Young Womens Division Unit Chief
It was when I took the Joshi (assistant teacher) oral examination.
I saw many leaders around me and that made me nervous. I did
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not feel I belonged there because I was inexperienced and so

young. When I entered the interview room, I saw Sensei.
You are Setsuko Hara (a very famous actress at that time),
arent you? he asked me with a smile. I said, No. Im Setsuko
Sugihara. I became totally relaxed hearing his words.
Sensei listened to me earnestly while I talked about my
family situation and other things. I couldnt believe it was the
first time I had seen him because I felt enveloped by his warmth
and consideration. I also felt as if invited to a beautiful palace.
I clearly remember what Sensei communicated to me with
his gallant eyes. No matter what may happen to you, never let
go of the Gohonzon. Be sure to become happy. From the time
of that interview, I began to study this Buddhism earnestly.
Toshiyasu Fuwa, then a college student
When I was a prospective member of the study department, I had
a chance to sit in on a Gosho lecture given by President Ikeda.
We studied The Threefold Secret Teaching and The Entity
of the Mystic Law. They were both quite difficult to grasp. He
said to us, They are difficult, but if you read them ten times,
youll be able to understand in the end. I did my best to follow
his guidance on this matter. I studied and studied, even on the
train.
As a result, I realised, What a wonderful faith Ive been
practising! I was deeply moved. Since then, Ive always made
great efforts to study the Gosho.
The Gosho is the sword of a samurai

President Ikeda emphasised that battles based on the Gosho are
the best strategies and activities. He also said, In any battle,
take action with strong faith. There are no better strategies than
the Lotus Sutra. Never think of applying strategies other than
that. Many pioneer members say, We were all told that the
Gosho is like ones sword. When he found a member without a
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Gosho, he would ask very severely, What happened to your

Gosho?
Masuko Mineyama, then a Young Womens Division Vice Corps
Chief
About a year after I started practising, I met Ikeda Sensei for the
first time. He kindly asked me about my family and job situation.
At that time, I was working for a library in Ikeda City. I told him
there were about 40,000 books there. Then he asked me, Do
you have the Gosho? You are surrounded by 40,000 books but
you dont have a Gosho of your own, do you? When Mr
Makiguchi and Mr Toda were jailed, all the other members
except for them abandoned the faith because of lack of study.
He taught me the importance of study.
And, on another occasion, he told us this: The most
important thing for young womens division members is Buddhist
study. Without study, you cannot be of great use for kosen-rufu.
Study hard.
In those days, a French roll cost 10 yen, and daily wages
were around 300 yen. Kansai members willingly spent as much
as 2,000 yen on a copy of the Gosho. They walked to Gakkai
activities with the Gosho in their bag all the time, just as samurai
would carry their swords.
Nobuyuki Yanagihara, then a college student
When I met Sensei for the first time, he asked me. Do you have
a Gosho? I answered, Yes. I have one, though its my
fathers. Then Sensei said, The Gosho is the sword of faith.
Why dont you have one of your own? You should get one even
by doing a side job if you dont have enough money. I soon
started a part-time job and bought a Gosho.
Mitsuo Yamamoto, then a Squad Chief
I once had to deliver some documents to the Kansai
Headquarters and when I opened the door to President Ikedas
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office I saw him reading the Gosho at his desk. He was there
holding it with both hands, studying very intensely.
Having seen me hesitating as to what to say, he said,
Thank you for your trouble, then immediately went back to
his reading. I put the documents on the desk and left the office.
His attitude towards study made me realise the real meaning of
a great swordsmans discipline.
Setsuko Sugihara, then a Young Womens Division Unit Chief
We had a Buddhist study seminar for lecturers with President
Ikeda. Since I was so curious how he could give us such
wonderful lectures, I took the
liberty of looking at his Gosho
during the break.
There were a lot of passages
underlined in red, but no notes
except for a few circles around
some words. Obviously, he was
treating his copy of the Gosho as a
treasure. This was the moment I became deeply determined to
challenge myself in Buddhist study by emulating his attitude
towards the Gosho.
Setsuko Umemoto, then a Chapter Standing Committee member
Ikeda Sensei once gave a Gosho lecture on behalf of President
Toda. It was on The Offering of an Unlined Robe. I was
supposed to act as emcee. Prior to the meeting, Ikeda Sensei gave
me guidance, saying, The emcee should jot down the format of
the meeting on a memo pad and read it out beforehand. After
the meeting, Ikeda Sensei encouraged me, saying, Thank you for
your efforts. You did a good job.
In those days we had very few members in the study department.
On one occasion I had to give a Gosho lecture to the examinees.
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Sensei unexpectedly attended the meeting held at the Kansai

Headquarters and sat right beside me. In spite of my efforts to
change places, Sensei insisted I should remain in my place,
saying, Mr Murata, youll be fine. Exert your utmost.
I was flustered. Ikeda Sensei was silently listening to my
lecture, sitting right next to me. I was blushing, overcome with
embarrassment. I didnt even know what I was saying, but
somehow got through my lecture.
Ikeda Sensei said, No matter what lecture you may give,
you should imagine that I am always sitting beside you. I
answered, Certainly. Nevertheless, I was regretful and
ashamed that I didnt understand his true intentions for doing
what he did.
Later I suddenly remembered that Ikeda Sensei often said,
On behalf of President Toda ... Toda Sensei was always beside
Ikeda Sensei. His words gave me a glimpse of the profound bond
between mentor and disciple. After this incident, I changed my
attitude towards my faith as well as study.
**********
MEET EACH
AND
EVERY MEMBER
All the members should stand up with faith

January 5. On the second day of his stay in Kansai, what was it that
President Ikeda did first with all his might? It was to give personal
guidance, which he engaged himself in from morning till night.
The reason why Shinichi Yamamoto intended to give
heartfelt guidance to each Kansai member was that he knew it
was the key to winning all struggles. To achieve the most difficult
aim, first and foremost, the carrying out of each activity with a
full sense of joy is indispensable. To fulfil this, all the Kansai
members must stand up with faith, then it will be accomplished
(The Human Revolution).
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I meet each and every member in person to give guidance.

President Ikeda took the initiative to show us how to act. The
campaign in Kansai began with thorough sessions of personal
guidance.
Fusae Fukuzumi, then a Womens Division District Chief
My husband Hisashi, then a block chief, died of tuberculosis on
December 30, 1955. He left me with five children, including a
fifth-grader and a four-month-old baby. I was also in debt.
What will happen to me? I wondered. At that time, I was
a district chief in the womens division.
On the evening of January 5, I was in a room at Kansai
Headquarters with my baby and Mrs Aya Shiraki, who was
Osaka Womens Division Chapter Chief. Sensei walked into the
room, apparently exhausted because of all the guidance he had
been giving. He must have been planning to rest a while before a
district leaders meeting scheduled for the evening.
This lady has lost her husband, Mrs Shiraki said,
introducing me to Sensei.
Sensei remembered that he had met my husband at the
Gosho lecture meeting and said, Your husband was a nice
person. He also asked about my children and present situation.
Dont cry. If you cry, the tears will make your husband sad.
There were reasons why you got married to someone who died
young. Now you must be feeling unhappy. However, you have
the Gohonzon. It is the greatest fortune one could have. In your
house, you have the Gohonzon instead of your husband. The
Gohonzon will protect you. You will definitely become happy in
the next five, ten or twenty years. I will also take you overseas.
The guidance, given with all his heart, lasted for one and a
half hours.
Hisayo Owaki, then a Womens Division Unit Chief
On the occasion of Senseis visit to Mr Shirakis residence, I tried
to invite members who wanted to receive guidance as well as
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help out at the meeting place. On that very day, numerous

Gakkai members came and I was only one of the staff members
that were there.
Nevertheless, one day many years after that, when I was
going to pay homage to our first president, Makiguchi Senseis
grave at the Head Temple, there was a group of ten people
coming down from the slope which we were about to climb.
When I tried to make way for them, someone called out, Hi, I
havent seen you for quite a while! It was Sensei! Sensei
remembered me. He even held out his hand to shake hands with
me. I was overcome with surprise.
Sadako Sakai, then a Young Womens Division Vice Corps Chief
I went to Itami Airport with my fellow YWD members hoping to
greet Sensei when he came to Osaka. Sensei kindly invited us,
who were nervously waiting for him, to accompany him to the
Kansai Headquarters. We were all so thrilled!
After arriving at the headquarters, Sensei looked at me as I
was nervously standing in the corner of the room, and penned
some words of encouragement for me on an airline postcard.
Although uprooted again and again, the dandelion blooms
smilingly. Then, he said, Ah, something is missing.
Oh yes, it should be all the more smilingly. He added
all the more in the poem.
I was really surprised because at the time I was having
difficulties with various people and thought time and again of
quitting the practice. Sensei encouraged me as if he understood
my suffering.
Yes, I will smile brightly, with faith as my basis. This
became the turning point of my life.
Socks in the closet

President Ikeda paid close attention to each member. One day he
called out to a young mens division member, saying, Dont you
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keep a number of socks in the closet of your apartment?

The young man was surprised to hear this, wondering if
Sensei had come to his apartment in his absence. How do you
know that? he replied.
I myself used to live in a small apartment. Thats why I can
tell how you are living now.
President Ikeda shared his own experience in his youth.
Due to financial difficulties, I couldnt afford a pillow, so I used
folded newspapers. I continued to put on torn socks because I
couldnt buy new ones. But there lies the true training and
growth of youth, President Ikeda said, stressing the point,
when they struggle to live on their own and dedicate themselves
to Gakkai activities.
Moved by President Ikedas warm consideration, the young
mens division member started to talk about himself. He had to
give up going to college and work as an apprentice.
I once wanted to go to college myself, President Ikeda said.
But I had to support President Todas company. In addition, I
was busy with Gakkai activities. So I gave up the idea of going to
college.
But youth must bear in mind, President Ikeda continued,
that if you want to conquer the world, you must first overcome
your own grief. The Soka Gakkai is the worlds foremost college.
Please be assured that you can learn in the Gakkai. President
Ikedas warm encouragement touched the young mans heart.
Sakae Tomii, then a Womens Division District Chief
My husband, a good-natured man and the head of a Tsuruhashi
shopping street, became a debt guarantor, and this resulted in
our having to leave our house. My husband and I lost the means
to support our family of 12. We lived under the overhead railway
at Tsuruhashi Station for a while.
We made a house by hitching up a tent to iron poles that
supported a platform. We put tatami mats over the foundation
and slept on them. People often spoke ill of us, saying, You can
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go and see at the station what will happen to you if you take up
this faith. It was awful.
We needed two buckets of water to make a living and to
cook. The neighbours didnt even give us that much water.
President Ikeda actually visited us in this tent.
After a while my husband, who had just returned from a
summer training course, said that when he met President Ikeda
and reported to him about living at the station, Sensei said, I
know. I visited you there. He even remembered our home at the
station.
Takako Kobayashi, then a Womens Division District Chief
In February 1956, a year after taking up faith in Nichiren
Daishonins Buddhism, I, a young and inexperienced 23-year-old
at the time, was appointed to the post of the womens division
district chief. When Sensei visited Osaka, I had an opportunity to
tell him about my appointment.
Sensei gave me guidance, saying, All that is necessary is for
you to perceive the Gohonzon, the object of devotion, as
absolute.
Moreover, seeing my square-jawed face, he encouraged me,
saying, You look like Audrey Hepburn!
Sensei continued encouraging members day after day.
Encouragement with a delivery of Chinese noodles

Iwao Murata, then a Group Chief
It was January 15. While we were having a meeting for the
members in charge of organisational
statistics, Sensei paid us an unexpected
visit. At the time I had assumed a lot
of responsibility in managing
organisational statistics. And at the
meeting Sensei spoke as though he
were talking to each and every one of us personally.
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Your duty in managing statistics is like facilitating the

smooth flow of blood in the human body. If the flow stagnates,
the body dies. Therefore, the importance of your mission is
immeasurable.
Until then, our division had not been in the limelight. It was
unheard of for a top-ranking leader to encourage any member of
the organisational statistics division. So everyone there was
amazed to hear Sensei speak to them directly.
Presently all of you are accumulating unseen virtues
through your hard work behind the scenes which will never fail
to yield visible rewards. Please take care of yourself.
Although none of us knew very much about Sensei at the
time, we were nevertheless extremely impressed by his
consideration towards us. He is young, but what a great person
he is!
After that, Sensei placed an order for a delivery of Chinese
noodles for us as we were working late. Noodles were such a
delicacy at that time. I shall never forget the taste of those
delicious noodles for as long as I live!
**********
GIVING THOROUGH GUIDANCE
TO THE
MEMBERS
The springboard for great expansion

A good general will make good men. The noteworthy activity of
Kansai in February was thoroughly giving guidance to members.
January was the month to lay the foundation of the members
faith through learning about the Daishonins Buddhism, and
February was the month for giving guidance to members. Sensei
took the initiative in giving personal guidance to each member
and started attending many discussion meetings.
As a result, the Osaka chapter, which had been Number One
in the number of shakubukus till then, slipped to the second rank,
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after the Kamata chapter. Thorough guidance to members

became a trigger for the great historical leap in March.
Hitoshi Tsuji, then a Young Mens Division Group Chief
One day I witnessed Sensei giving guidance to a womens
division member by quoting the Gosho. He asked her politely
questions such as What brought you to believe in this
Buddhism? or Hows your family doing?
She answered, It was my childs illness. The doctors had
given up on my child, but I was told by a friend of mine that my
child would be cured of the illness if I believed in this Buddhism.
Sensei encouraged her warm-heartedly and with confidence.
I know you are having a hard time now, but please never give
up! Youll be all right. The Daishonin says, Nam-myoho-rengekyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an
obstacle? (WND-1, 412) What sickness in this passage refers to
any kind of illness. There are no exceptions. However, the most
important thing here is to believe that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is
like the roar of a lion. The roar of a stray cat doesnt work.
All of us there were listening to Senseis earnest words to
her as if he were talking to each one of us.
This is it! This Buddhism is so great! The benefits from this
Buddhism are so amazing! I was so impressed by his spirit and
his words based on the Gosho.
At that time, whenever we asked our senior leaders for
guidance, they just said, You do shakubuku first and then come
back for guidance.
Faith can change ones life. If we participate in activities
with an overflowing sense of joy, confident that we can bring
about this change, there is no reason why we cannot get positive
results.
Miki Abe, then a Womens Division Group Chief
The centre for all activities in the area was a small house and so
we often heard the sound of someone climbing the stairs.
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It was in early February that we had four guests at the

discussion meeting. In the middle of the meeting, we heard
footsteps of someone coming up the stairs. Good evening. How
are you? Sensei came in speaking in an improvised Osaka dialect.
Senseis familiarity made us feel as if we were being
embraced with joy. Sensei spoke to the non-members. Why
dont you practise with us and become happy! Those few words
made the three people say Yes.
All of us present at the meeting were caught by surprise
because although we had spent close to two hours doing
shakubuku, not one guest agreed to start practising.
Mitsuko Hirata, then a Womens Division Unit Chief
Sensei talked to the last person patiently. Finally he said, If you
take up this faith for a year and your wishes dont come true, I
will take full responsibility. Sensei promised. His powerful
conviction made even that person decide to join.
Divide the organisation area-wise into five

The organisation in those days was formed along vertical lines as a
rule, each member belonging to the same local organisation as the
person who had introduced him or her to the practice. However,
President Ikeda aimed to re-organise the Soka Gakkai organisation
so as to shed light on the local area from the very beginning. He had
been dispatching leaders to Osaka since the end of the previous year
in order to prepare for the formation of local organisations.
He divided Osaka City into two areas and the other cities of
Osaka Prefecture into three so that he could keep the members
speedily and well informed of his instructions and enable the
leaders to thoroughly look after the frontline of the organisation.
He considered putting the right people in the right places in
these five areas of Osaka Prefecture. Leaders from Tokyo, as well
as the local leaders, were re-grouped into teams to be responsible
for each area.
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Reminiscing about those days, the then local leader said: If

a local leader was young, he would team up with a senior leader
from Tokyo. If the local leader was senior in age, the leader from
Tokyo would be young. In this way, Sensei thought everything
out carefully. I was trained by his instruction, One must bear in
mind the two keywords in handling human resources:
conservation and innovation. Soka Gakkai aims to put both
into practise. In order to win a victory, we must first be successful
with human resources.
Iwao Murata, then a Mens Division Group Chief
As a member of the organisational statistics division I developed
a strong passion for my mission through Senseis warm
encouragement.
Senseis fight for kosen-rufu breathed life into the block
system in Kansai. I devoted myself as a member of the statistics
division to thoroughly grasp the situations of all members. As a
result, I noticed there was a huge difference between the numbers
of household memberships according to the block system and
those according to the vertical line system.
In order to bridge the gap, I suggested that we make out
two kinds of cards, a block card and a group card for each
household. This was the first trial in Japan.
Carrying these cards with us, we visited members who were
not confirmed as members of a block. Sometimes they rejected
us, saying, I am not a member. Then we immediately
contacted the leaders of the tatesen (vertical line) written on the
cards. The leaders said No kidding! and rushed over to
shakubuku the so-called member again.
Woven with both warp and weft, the organisation grew
stronger. The cards enabled us to grasp the real situation in a
short period of time. This became the driving force in our
propagation activities.
**********
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THE LOTUS SUTRA IS KNOWLEDGE RELATING

GENERALS STRATEGY
TO THE
In tune with our mentor

One of the leaders dispatched from Tokyo reminisced: Sensei
had been struggling for victory in the campaign and earnestly
chanting daimoku. He then sensed the eternal truth that the
Lotus Sutra was the generals strategy. We had never realised this
until later when we read about it in the novel, The Human
Revolution. Such was our ignorance.
Despite not knowing this, we had conceitedly considered
ourselves to be great leaders. Looking back, Im sure we all
realised that we must have caused Sensei great inconvenience.
Therefore, we were trained and fostered by him very severely.
Eventually, we learned that only when we attune ourselves to our
mentor can we tap immense capabilities from within ourselves.
This was the leaders strategy.
Yoshiyuki Asai, then a Young Mens Division Corps Chief
Sensei said, There are four types of leaders: great leaders,
intelligent leaders, recklessly bold leaders and foolish leaders.
Either intelligent or bold leaders do not suffice. We should be
great leaders of kosen-rufu who combine wisdom with
courage.
Sensei told us many times, Leaders should not think that
they are great. Those who scold their members are disqualified as
leaders. They are what I mean by foolish leaders.
Once Sensei asked us, If you take a clock to pieces and
scatter the pieces on the sand of the dry riverbed, can you put the
clock together again?
I said, I cant.
He responded, Leaders for kosen-rufu should have precise
thinking in order to be able to do that. Both foolish and savage
leaders cannot assume leadership to actualise kosen-rufu.
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President Ikeda said, Engrave this philosophy in the core of

your mind. I can still hear the sound of his words the core of
your mind very vividly.
The leaders ichinen, or determination, is the key to success

President Ikeda devoted himself to nurturing leaders, because he
believed that we couldnt win any battle without capable leaders,
and that it was a leaders strong conviction that led everyone to
victory.
President Ikeda said, Leaders ichinen, or determination,
decides the fate of our organisation. Lets take a spinning top, for
example. A top with a stable axis can spin very smoothly. The
same can be said about our organisation. If you have a leader
with strong faith in your group, then your group will certainly be
active and vivid. Everything can be explained in the light of The
True Aspect of All Phenomena.
Nichiren Daishonin says in the Gosho, If the lord of the castle
is brave, his soldiers will also be brave. If the lord is a coward, then
his soldiers will also be cowards (GZ, 979). The Daishonin wrote,
In battles, soldiers regard the general as their soul (WND-1, 613).
President Ikeda also said, We need only one great leader in
order to change a disorderly crowd of a thousand people into an
elite troop. He could even change a workhorse into a fleet horse.
Everything is decided by just one leaders conviction.
President Ikeda didnt miss any chance to give us guidance.
For example, he gave us guidance while taking a walk with us,
even in a car, and at almost every opportunity he had to do so. He
gave us actual examples. And this is how his philosophy penetrated
our hearts.
Giichiro Shiraki, then Osaka Chapter Chief
Sensei often visited Osaka as general commander of the battle.
He attentively taught us who, like a disorderly crowd, knew
nothing everything we needed to know, including the battle of
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propagation, the mission of the Soka Gakkai, how to raise

capable people, how to build an organisation, and so on.
Once I was told by Toda Sensei, All you have to do is
follow Daisaku. And I did just what he had said.
A swan in the moats of Osaka Castle

While walking along the moats of Osaka Castle, we saw a swan.
A youth division leader said, Sensei, theres a swan swimming
along at ease, isnt there?
Sensei replied, Yes, and asked him, But look at what you
cant see about the swan swimming at ease. Then the youth
leader answered, I cant see what I cant
see about it. He didnt seem to
understand what Sensei was trying to say.
Finally Sensei said, In fact, the swan
moves its right leg and left leg restlessly.
This is the very attitude that leaders
should have. You leaders put on airs in
comfort in front of fellow members. You probably would put on
even more airs in my absence. It is not the right thing to do as
leaders. Leaders must exert themselves behind the scenes. This is
what we call yumyou shojin or exert oneself bravely and
vigorously.
Win over yourself rather than winning in activities
Win over yourself rather than winning in activities being on the
offensive is the best defence. These are the two pillars for any
struggle. Theres no way you can win in activities if you cant
first win over yourself. This is what praying means. Being on the
offensive is the best defence. This means taking action. These are
all the things that I learned while training under President Toda.
The leaders of that time all say that President Ikedas guidance
always shone with wisdom received from President Toda.
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One chilly day in January, our beloved mentor, President

Toda, was in the presidents room in the Kansai headquarters
warming himself at the hibachi, or a charcoal brazier, and talking
to the then womens division chapter leader, the late Mrs Shiraki.
Dai is really great, you know. Hes a capable leader. Hes
going to achieve greater things than me. Listen carefully now.
Were all going to support Dai, do you understand? If not, you
cant even imagine what will happen! Dai, needless to say,
means President Ikeda.
Mrs Shiraki renewed her vow to follow President Ikeda.
However, she says that at the time I didnt know what President
Toda was trying to say. Only after President Toda had passed
away did she realise that those words were actually President
Todas last will and testament.
Turning into the Queen when in the enemys position
One day, President Ikeda was playing Shogi or Japanese chess
with a senior leader in Kansai. President Ikeda was moaning, and
the leader said, Sensei, there is no use moaning that way. As he
saw the Kansai leaders honest attitude, President Ikeda smiled
wryly and explained plainly the reason why he was moaning.
A Fu, or pawn, is only a foot
soldier when it is in its allys
position. However, when it is in the
enemys position, it turns into a
queen. This signifies that if you are
trained, you can be a capable
person. If you dont advance, you
cannot become queen.
He also talked about the Keima, or knight: You tend to take
good care of the members who are actively participating in
activities. However, this is not good. The Keimas presence is
important. While the Keima sits there, the enemy cannot move.
Moreover, if it moves inappropriately, your position will be thrown
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into disorder. Suppose there is a mens division member who

attends the discussion meeting, but he doesnt do anything. You
may say that he is not a good member. Is it really true? Someone
can influence people even though he only sits down. His existence
is equivalent to the Keima. It is not true that only active persons are
capable persons. You need to be broadminded to be able to take
care of members who are not active. Otherwise, you cannot take the
initiative as a leader. Things should be viewed from both angles.
Guidance embodying hope and strictness
President Ikeda told leaders at the time about what counts in giving
guidance. He said, When you talk at a big meeting, keep three
things in mind: first, talk about the benefits of taking faith. Second,
talk about hopes for a bright future. And third, talk about the
strictness of faith. The audience will become strained listening to a
difficult talk. But talking only about hope tends to sound fishy.
Therefore, its important to talk combining all three points.
President Ikeda also advised leaders that they must be
capable of giving guidance in accordance with ones own mind
(zuijii), as well as with the minds of others (zuitai).
Leaders must conduct guidance sessions in accordance with
both ones own mind and according to the minds of others. In the
beginning, you must be a good listener and follow the members
pace. This constitutes preaching in accordance with the minds of
others. Then, in turn, advise him to pray to the Gohonzon and
devote himself to Gakkai activities in order to change his karma.
This constitutes preaching according to ones own mind. Leaders
must be able to use both methods.
Nobuyuki Yanagihara, then a college student
Sensei asked us at a meeting, Has anyone here ever been on a
plane? No one had. He said, Lets be victorious in activities
and fly to Shirahama! In those days, Shirahama was a beautiful
seaside resort everyone looked forward to visiting by hydroplane.
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Such flights existed then between Shirahama and Osaka.

Sensei always gave us a dream.
Ponder and devise plans in your mind

Preparation should be given the highest priority. President
Ikeda reiterated this point. When we hold a meeting, we need
detailed preparations to make any meeting successful. [The
generals in a tumultuous age] develop strategy behind drawn
curtains, and victory is decided thousands of miles away [from
the field of battle] (GZ, 183). If previous arrangements are made
half-heartedly, you will see that in the ensuing results.
Yoshiyuki Asai, then a Young Mens Division Unit Chief
President Ikeda taught the importance of preparation so that it
was instilled into our lives.
I once received guidance from President Ikeda during the car
ride back from Wakayama Prefecture. He asked, What is the
name of that castle? I answered, Its Kishiwada Castle. And
then he asked, Who lived there? I couldnt answer his
question. In preparation for the next time, I investigated the
matter beforehand, but this time he asked different questions. I
experienced this kind of failure several times.
One day he went to Nara Prefecture. I determined to answer
this time or never, and I thoroughly looked things up beforehand
and succeeded in answering his questions.
Sensei gave me this kind of practise repeatedly, and through
this practise he taught me how important thorough preparation
is for kosen-rufu. The essence of struggling for kosen-rufu is
preparation. This is the key to victory.
A cherry tree
President Ikeda was taking a walk with representative members of the
youth division in Sanadayama Park near the Kansai headquarters.
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Cherry buds were beginning to swell, and one of the youth

division members said, We cant wait to see the cherry blossom
in full bloom, Sensei.
President Ikeda asked him, Do you know why cherry
blossoms bloom in spring? The member answered, Sensei, its a
natural process.
This is the truth of nature, but what if you apply this to the
organisation? President Ikeda replied. The youth division members
wondered how cherry trees were related to
the organisation.
President Ikeda continued, Cherry
blossoms cant bloom in winter even if
they want to since its too cold. However,
they bud when the warmth of spring
arrives.
Sensei, it is a matter of course, the
youth division members responded.
Sensei went on to explain: It is the
same for the organisation. If a leader is
cold, buds will not swell, blossoms will not
bloom and capable people will not grow. Buds swell, blossom and
bear fruit only around a leader with a warm and magnanimous
heart.
The members finally understood what Sensei wanted to
convey. Then they came to a dead cherry tree, and a youth
division member said, Sensei, this tree is dead. The president
replied, It is in the state of losing its seeking spirit, of losing the
will to grow. An organisation which does not have a seeking spirit
will also die.
His endeavours for fostering capable leaders who would be
the core of the organisation continued. In March the Early
Morning Gosho Lectures started. District leaders attended these
lectures.
Gears started to mesh within the million-volt motor towards
establishing a great Kansai.
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The Osaka Campaign of 1956

The struggles of a disciple who volunteered and dared to
fight.
I want to win. I have to win.
And report this victory to my mentor.
The disciple exerted a hundred million aeons of effort in a
single moment of life.
For only herein lies the path of mentor and disciple.
And now, who will tread the way?
The only path that makes the impossible possible!
**********
ATTUNING ONESELF
TO
ONES MENTOR
Early Morning Gosho Lectures

In January 1956, taking the lead and setting the finest example
himself, President Ikeda started to give members guidance to take
action. As a result, the energy of faith spread across each area of
Kansai.
Giving members guidance in faith thoroughly for two
months awakened them to a sense of joy in their practice (The
Human Revolution). At every meeting the number of members
gathering at a district was increasing remarkably.
In early March, a group of senior members were newly
dispatched. The time to fight was ripe at last.
Though he was extremely busy, President Ikeda took a train
every Friday to Osaka for the sake of Kansais victory. He stayed in
Kansai mainly on Saturdays and Sundays. At Kansai headquarters,
he led the members in gongyo early in the morning and gave
guidance centred on the Gosho. He also gave guidance on how to
practise. These meetings were eventually named Early Morning
Gosho Lectures.
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The Human Revolution says: Every morning, he, who kept

a great desire to make the impossible possible all to himself,
clarified the timely, crucial points of the contents which he
should relate to senior members for the day, and which will work
as the driving force through the Gosho.
At first, the participants of the Early Morning Gosho
Lectures consisted of senior members from Tokyo and central
leaders of Osaka. Thereafter, even district leaders from the local
organisation started to attend these meetings.
I have very fond memories of the great campaign of kosenrufu in Osaka. Centring on the early morning Gosho lecture, I
explained that the principle of faith, which never fails to lead us to
victory, and which makes the impossible possible, originates from
Nichiren Daishonins Buddhism (Thoughts on The New Human
Revolution).
In order to achieve victory, two things are vital: strong
daimoku and first-rate strategy and action.
One leader explained that
the first-class strategy was
clearly shown in President Ikedas
behaviour and in his Early
Morning Gosho Lectures. Simply
put, the first-rate strategy is to
be in complete rhythm with
Sensei.
Another leader sent from
Tokyo said that the directions
given by President Ikeda during the morning Gosho lecture was in
fact the best strategy.
In the early morning planning meeting, President Ikeda
clearly stated the campaign targets to the leaders. In February,
the shakubuku target was 4,000 households. The end result
turned out to be 3,986. In March, the goal of 5,000 households
was set. The amazing result was 5,005 households. In view of the
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steady increase in the shakubuku goals, members thought that

the April target would be set at 6,000. However, this time it was
set for 8,000 households.
President Ikeda decided each target precisely, sensing the
members morale and studying the situation in the organisation.
The members listened to his lectures with a clear target in mind
and became filled with conviction.
The April shakubuku campaign resulted in 9,002 households.
Many members were overwhelmed with surprise that the final
result was 1,000 families over the April goal. The conviction that
anything is possible when we follow what Sensei teaches us was
strongly felt by each member.
Yoshiyuki Asai, then a Young Mens Division Corps Chief
People dont move because an organisation is built. An
organisation does not function because people are allocated. It is
not the form, but life itself. This is the principle that President
Ikeda taught us. Sensei would discuss every single detail with us
during the morning Gosho lectures. These details breathed life
into the organisation.
[To be continued]
(Translated from the January and February 2003 issues of
Daibyakurenge)
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THE OSAKA CAMPAIGN

Part 2 of 3
translated by 41 members of the Kansai World Group and presented to SGI President Daisaku Ikeda on November 18, 2003)
STUDY
BASED ON ACTION LEADS TO VICTORY
Victory is certain when we follow what is taught
GI President Daisaku Ikeda often gave guidance by quoting

Gosho passages. His lectures were more than a study meeting,
they were the practical teachings that led towards victory.
One leader recalled that Ikeda Senseis guidances in which he
quoted from the Gosho led everyone to fight with a strong
determination. When we do what he teaches us, we will surely
win. This feeling of security turned into courage. Kansai
members vigorously sought out ways to put Senseis guidance into
action.
Setsuko Magari, then a District Womens Division Chief
Sensei always gave us guidance with his entire being. He would
say, This is a battle between the Buddha and evil forces. I feel
sorry for the members if we lose this battle.
Senseis words touched our hearts. Senseis heart also
communicated to our children. My four-year-old and one-yearold, who would usually get cranky during meetings, would sit
quietly when Sensei spoke. Several members brought children
and all of them would sit quietly next to their parents. I was
amazed by the fact that President Ikedas determination even
touched the childrens hearts.
VALUE CREATION FEBRUARY 2007
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At one meeting, Sensei taught us how important the faith of

a wife is. He cited the following Gosho passage: It is the power
of the bow that determines the flight of the arrow, the might of
the dragon that controls the movement of the clouds, and the
strength of the wife that guides the actions of her husband
(WND-1, 656).
My father-in-law vehemently opposed my faith in the
Gohonzon. In addition, my mother-in-law was bedridden and my
husband did not support my practice.
Sensei said, Do not lament the adversity you are in. With
the great power that each woman possesses, she can transform
her family and even her community. Through his lecture I
received immense courage and developed a strong conviction.
One day I attended a meeting without my children. Sensei
noticed that my children were not with me. He then asked,
What happened to your children today? He knew that I
always sat in the corner with them. He noticed even this minor
detail.
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He asked me about my family. He then cited a Gosho

passage, which states, ... the crows blackness and the herons
whiteness are actually the deep stains of their past karma
(WND-1, 304). He then said, Never hate or bear grudges
against people who are opposed to this faith. They will surely
understand you when you revolutionise your own state of life.
Thereafter all my family members started practising
Daishonins Buddhism, enabling us to become a happy and
harmonious family, struggling together for the happiness of our
friends.
Growth is life, and retreat, death

One local leader reminisced that President Ikeda was strict with
leaders. Senseis guidance was based on the Gosho passage, For
example, if a commanding general is fainthearted, his soldiers will
become cowards (WND-1, 464). He went on to say, Because
you try hard to fulfil your responsibilities as a leader, you can
manifest the power of faith and the power of practise. Likewise,
the power of faith and practise will bring forth the power of the
Buddha and the power of the Law. When the mentor is near,
everyone will practise in earnest. Yet the true disciple is one who
makes serious efforts when the mentor is away.
Referring to this Gosho passage The situation is like the
joints in a piece of bamboo: if one joint is ruptured, then all the
joints will split (WND-1, 512) President Ikeda said: If the
central figure gives in, his organisation will end up losing. Soka
Gakkai leaders should shoulder the responsibility for leading
each and every member towards happiness. Leaders must take
action on their own initiative towards that end.
Everything falls into the ultimate law of life and death.
Growth leads to life, while retreat leads to death. Therefore, the
Daishonin says, Strengthen your faith day by day and month
after month. Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils
will take advantage (WND-1, 997).
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Kaoru Nakayama, then a Young Womens Division Vice Corps

Chief
In order to attend the morning Gosho lecture, I would have to
take the 5:00 A.M. train. One day, I summoned up the courage
to read the Gosho aloud in front of the members. The Gosho
was from The Record of Orally Transmitted Teachings, which I
had never read before. I was very nervous, but managed to read
through to the end.
Sensei thanked me and then continued, This is the most
important time in your life to establish the foundation of your
faith. I hope you will do your best. Please keep this in mind.
During the war, Gakkai leaders abandoned their faith when
imprisoned by the military authorities. They abandoned their
faith because the Gosho was not deeply etched in their mind.
Sensei gave very detailed guidance to the young womens
division members. Given the fact that the meeting was held early
in the morning, I was careless about my appearance. It was then
that Sensei pointed out to me, We are creating a circle of friends
who will stand by our side for our faith in Buddhism. However,
if you are careless about your personal appearance, people will
not be attracted to the Gakkai. Young women embracing the
Mystic Law must be careful about their appearance.
The first one to wake up and the last to sleep

The late Yoshiko Fukuo, who was a caretaker of the Kansai
headquarters, wrote her remembrance as follows: Sensei
worked without any time to rest. He went to bed last and got up
first. I had been told that in society, superiors generally took it
easy. I was overwhelmed by Sensei, who ceaselessly devoted
himself to others.
President Ikeda gave lectures citing various Gosho passages.
No matter how humble a person may be, if his wisdom
is the least bit greater than yours, you should ask him
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about the meaning of the sutra (WND-1, 757).

Ikeda Sensei: In faith, you should not be arrogant.
Without a seeking spirit to learn, you will not develop
and grow. Even if you say you are great, people wont
believe you. This is self-complacency. The greatness of a
person is determined by others.
Buddhism is like the body, and society like the shadow.
When the body bends, so does the shadow (WND-1,
1039).
Ikeda Sensei: I dont trust people who dont work. One
must not trust them. If you have worries about your job,
you cant fight with all your might.
...you had better cut short your sleep at night and curtail
your leisure by day, and ponder this! You must not
spend your lives in vain and regret it for ten thousand
years to come (WND-1, 622).
Ikeda Sensei: Lets carry out a fight without any regrets.
Lets do our best together. This is going to be the first
historic struggle in Kansai. If you cut short your sleep
then you have engaged in the struggle earnestly.
One day of life is more valuable than all the treasures of
the major world system (WND-1, 955).
Ikeda Sensei: The benefit we receive in our daily practise
to the Gohonzon is tremendous. Why dont we do in
one day the work of a week or even ten days, dedicating
our lives to the Gohonzon?
Tomii, then a Womens Division District Chief
In those days, I ran a small restaurant near Tsuruhashi station. It
was a l5-minute walk from the Kansai headquarters. I walked
there early in the morning and sat right in front of the table
where Sensei spoke.
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I was having a hard time making ends meet. Sensei

encouraged me with a Gosho passage: praying earnestly as
though producing fire from damp wood, or obtaining water from
parched ground (WND-1, 444). This became one of my
favourite passages from the Gosho.
Sensei would talk to us and say, I hope you will become
happy. Although the room was packed with people, I felt that
he was speaking directly to me.
We would communicate Senseis guidance to our fellow
members before the day was over. Members looked forward to
listening to what Sensei had said at these lectures.
Destroy the impossible barrier with the sword of faith

When one comes to the end of ones good fortune, no
strategy whatsoever avails. When ones karmic rewards
are exhausted, even ones retainers no longer follow one
(WND-1, 1000).
Ikeda Sensei: When you no longer have good fortune,
nothing will go smoothly, no matter how hard you try
or how excellent your strategies are. Good fortune
means faith. As long as you doubt the Gohonzon, you
wont accumulate good fortune or benefit. Buddhism is
the body and society is the shadow.
Those who embrace this Lotus Sutra should be prepared
to meet with difficulties (GZ, 742).
Ikeda Sensei: We should practise faith while overcoming
hardships. The Daishonin says, Dedicate yourself to
rebuke the powerful enemies just as Nichiren has done
innumerable kalpas ago (GZ, 1589). Never fear anything.
Break down the impossible barrier with the sword of faith.
Senseis confident guidance taught the Kansai members what
needed to be done.
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Sadako Sakai, then a Young Womens Division Vice Corps Chief

If you exert a hundred million aeons of effort in a single
moment of life, the three enlightened properties of the Buddha
will appear within you at each moment (GZ, 790). This is
unforgettable guidance.
Life means making decisions, Sensei said. No matter
what happens, it is important to advance tirelessly, with a
resolute mind. The attitude that I will make anything possible is
the driving force to forge ahead.
Gosho manifests guidelines for practise

In his early morning Gosho lectures, President Ikeda clearly
pointed out that the guidelines for practise lie in the Gosho.
The characters of this sutra are all without exception
living Buddhas of perfect enlightenment. But because we
have the eyes of ordinary people, we see them as
characters. ... To the eyes of ordinary people, they look
like characters. Persons of the two vehicles perceive them
as the void. Bodhisattvas look on them as innumerable
doctrines. Buddhas recognise each character as a golden
Shakyamuni (WND-1, 486).
Ikeda Sensei: In terms of the characters in the Lotus
Sutra, ordinary people see them simply as letters. Persons
of the two vehicles see them as the void. Bodhisattvas
see them as innumerable doctrines. And the Buddha
sees it as a golden Shakyamuni. Likewise we all feel
different depending on our own life-condition. When you
are in the world of Hell, everything around you feels like
in the world of Hell. If you have a strong single moment
of life filled with joy, you can control your environment
even though you may be in the world of Hell or the realm
of Anger. Without exception, you can change all your
sufferings into happiness and ride out all difficulties.
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People acting out of their own discretion will meet a dead

end. Conceited people will be deadlocked in the end. You never
know exactly what your mind is telling you. No one can avoid
the influence of his environment.
Be determined to put the Gohonzon at the centre of your life
and continue practising based on the Gosho. The Gohonzon
should be the master of your mind.
**********
BE CHARGED
WITH
A MILLION VOLTS!
Latecomers never make it

One day, the Early Morning Gosho Lecture by President Ikeda
was held in the Gohonzon room on the third floor of the Kansai
headquarters building. The members who attended this meeting
said later: What a tremendous spirit Sensei radiates when he sits
in front of the Gohonzon! He
raises our spirits so high
towards the Gohonzon!
This is dynamic
gongyo! This is real
daimoku!
One of the leaders
recalls: Gongyo with Sensei in
the morning was conducted with
absolute seriousness. We used to
run to the chanting room, never
to be late. Then, we all came to
realise the one truth in the battle
for kosen-rufu. This one truth is,
to seek Sensei single-mindedly,
stay with him, and be with
him wholeheartedly. When
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you do this, you will experience tremendous energy, like high

power voltage of, say, a million volts. This energy will prevail in
every corner of your organisation. This truth has never left me
since then.
Akiko Kurihara, then a Young Womens Division Corps Chief
During the early morning meeting, we would report the results of
the campaign. Reports were given by each division, and I was
responsible for the YWD results. One day I was late in reporting
the results by about five minutes. Very few telephones were
available in those days, so that was the reason I gave for being late.
Sensei pointed out: Members fought hard in the battle for
kosen-rufu and accomplished results, but you were not prepared to
report the results they achieved. This is simply because your life as
a leader is half-hearted. Reports have to be made swiftly, and they
must be done on time. As it is said, Latecomers never make it.
Heres another story from a meeting at that time. One of the

leaders was concerned about when the meeting would end. All of
a sudden, looking at his watch, he said, Sensei, time is up.
Sensei always allowed us to voice our opinions freely at such
meetings so the leader probably didnt hesitate to speak up on
this occasion. We are all here to discuss seriously the
commitment of many years to come. How can you be in
command of our victory when your mind is not synchronised
with mine? Sensei gave him this strict guidance. We all felt tense
and realised the truth of what he was saying.
Without touching the right chord in Senseis heart, no
amount of efforts will bring about satisfactory results. On the
contrary, the situation may get worse and we could lose the
battle.
This is what we learned from him: Report swiftly!
To be in gear with our mentor, we have to ask ourselves: How
do I seek the mentor? How do I react to the mentor?
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In those days President Ikeda trained each leader with

careful consideration. The late Mrs Matsuko Shigoku, who
struggled predominantly as one of the three womens division
district chiefs called the three crows! wrote that Sensei
stressed the importance of liaison and reports. Sensei himself
called us and sent us telegrams several times each day. He said,
The next time, you should communicate with me.
One of the leaders, to whom President Ikeda gave a gift in
encouragement, said: About three days after I received the gift,
I acknowledged it and said: Thank you very much for what you
gave me the other day. To this, Sensei responded: You are late
saying that. When I was presented with another special item, I
thanked Sensei the very next day. However, he again said, You
are late. Through such everyday events, he taught us to imbibe
his fighting spirit and his speed.
Things that slip through, like a sieve
A visiting central leader said, I spoke before Sensei at a leaders
meeting, and as soon as I returned to my seat Sensei said, You are
not in rhythm with me. He said this every time I spoke at meetings.
Therefore, I studied Senseis guidance even harder, and the next
time I spoke Sensei was nodding while listening to my speech.
We must struggle and think how we can make our mentors
heart our own. Then we will be in rhythm with our mentor.
The same leader was admonished by Sensei time and time
again: You are always forgetting things. You are like a sieve.
What shall I do? the leader asked himself. How can I
overcome my weakness? He sat in front of the Gohonzon in the
middle of the night and chanted earnestly. He kept chanting
seriously for many hours. Finally he realised that he really was a
sieve. I was arrogant, and puffed up, he thought to himself
with regret.
He made a deep resolve: As a sieve, I will be what I am. A sieve
is useful in its own way. I will become the greatest sieve in Japan.
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Once he realised his real nature, a joyous feeling surged from within
himself. From the following day, he worked to his hearts content.
After that, President Ikeda never again made this comment to him.
To receive Senseis guidance with your mind is one thing. To
understand it with your whole being is quite another. You can
work in perfect harmony only when you chant daimoku
vigorously and make a resolve.
Maki Nakao, then a Womens Division District Chief
We used to go to the Kansai Headquarters early in the morning.
The door was always closed when morning gongyo started. If
you were late even one minute, you were not allowed to enter the
room. You had to do gongyo on the stairs in front of the room.
When it comes to trains, Sensei said, if you are late by
just one minute, you cannot get on the train. He trained us to
change our attitude towards faith.
Once he gave me guidance. My husband joined the Soka
Gakkai before I did. Since I was busy raising our children, I was
practising just following the lead of my husband.
Fully aware of my attitude towards faith, Sensei said to me:
Dont hide in the shadow of your husband. Practise for your
own sake.
After the Gosho lecture, he would lead us in singing Gakkai
songs. We all enjoyed being with Sensei.
The core of unity is faith

During briefing sessions, President Ikeda directed his admonishing
remarks to the district and chapter chiefs who were absent: At
such important meetings, the representative leaders of every
section should be present. It is their presence that helps the whole
group realise its full potential. The whole system should be in
gear. And it is your faith that gets you in gear with the motor.
President Ikeda taught us about unity by sharing concrete
examples. At a district leaders meeting, one YWD ward chief was
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not present. A ward chief at that time would be a district chief

today. Sensei asked, What happened to the YWD district
chief? The MD district chief answered, I guess she couldnt
make it because of work. Sensei told him, Please give my best
regards to her.
The district chief conveyed Senseis words to her when he
went back to the local organisation. She was impressed by
Senseis sincerity. At the same time, she was ashamed because she
had not contacted the MD district leader. She determined to be
more in contact with him in the future.
Thus, President Ikeda taught us what is unity in faith.
I took the earliest train to Kansai headquarters. I sat in the front
row of the room to do gongyo with Sensei.
Senseis Gosho lectures were full of spirit and touched our
hearts deeply. I learned from Sensei how grave our mission was
and how great our fortune was: Look at the world this year as a
mirror. The reason that you have survived until now when so
many have died was so that you would meet with this affair
(WND-1, 829).
Noticing that some members were missing at a meeting,
Sensei asked other leaders why they were absent. When the
leaders could not answer, he cited the words from the Gosho, If
the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the
people, they will achieve all their goals, whereas if one in body
but different in mind, they can achieve nothing remarkable
(WND-1, 618).
Thus he pointed towards our egoistic tendency and said that
we truly did not care for others.
Like awa-okoshi or millet cake

Osaka is famous for its awa-okoshi or millet cake. One day, we
enjoyed a wonderful conversation with President Ikeda while
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eating awa-okoshi with him. Afterwards, Sensei said, Now that

you have eaten millet cakes, you can become united, cant you?
United? we exclaimed. We Kansai members could not
understand what he meant.
President Ikeda explained, with humour, Awa-okoshi is
made of awa (millet) stiffened with caramelised sugar, isnt it?
This is, exactly, a form of unity.
In this way, through daily, close communication with
Sensei, the Kansai members learnt the correct attitude of
practising faith.
One womens division district chief said her district was
suffering from stagnation. President Ikeda encouraged her, saying,
Its lack of unity. You need to unite!
Since then, all the district leaders made strong efforts to chant
and fight. As a result, some 80 friends attended a discussion
meeting and all of them became new members.
**********
THOSE WHO STRENGTHEN THE FRONTLINES
ORGANISATION WILL TRIUMPH
OF THE
Capture the hearts of those on the frontlines

In March, the groups within a district became the focus of our
activities. Why is the group very important? President Ikeda
gave this guidance to the central leaders: Those who grasp the
actual conditions of their groups will be victorious. Chapters
which build their groups solidly will achieve victory. It is
important that we revitalise the groups in order to gain victory
in our districts. The district is supported by its groups.
President Ikeda taught us how to communicate with each
and every member on the frontline and how to capture their
hearts. He taught us that from there we could generate the
vitality to struggle and the rhythm of victory.
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Ayako Matsumoto, then a Womens

Division Group Chief
Sensei came all the way to Suita city.
He said, Please ask me any
questions today, but no one raised a
hand. We did not know what to ask.
Let me talk to you instead
then, said Sensei, and
confidently spoke to us about the
stupendous power possessed by
the Gohonzon.
After about two
months, I received a postcard.
It was from Sensei! I hope you
will dedicate yourself to achieve
kosen-rufu no matter what and take
leadership with vigorous action and strong faith.
I leapt with joy! I was just a womens division group leader
at the time. I walked all over the city every day to show this card
to each and every member.
Giichi Kitagawa, then a Mens Division Group Chief
President Ikeda attended a general discussion meeting held in the
Fuse Public Market in Fuse city [now Higashi-Osaka city]. The
meeting was a dramatic one, in which 17 of the 18 friends who
attended joined the Soka Gakkai. After the meeting, President Ikeda
said, I would like to visit some other meetings for members.
I shouted without much consideration, Please come to my
group! Its near here. Accompanied by President Ikeda, members
of my group walked to our meeting place. After a while, President
Ikeda said, Although you said its near, this is quite a distance.
The distance was two bus stops away, and it took about 20
minutes to walk. Later on, a senior member said, President
Ikeda was tired because of his hard struggles. I felt so sorry for
him, but he walked together with us anyway.
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Every member was poor. We could not even serve him tea
or refreshments. Still, President Ikeda listened to each member
attentively, asking in a frank manner, How many children do
you have?
All of us were deeply impressed. One Youth Division member
who was deeply moved by President Ikedas attitude said, President
Ikeda, shall I massage your shoulders? We were like a family.
From then on, every member walked around doing
shakubuku with joy, from morning till night. As a result, we
shakubukued 73 households in just one month. We were so
surprised with the results.
Flash the searchlight on the frontline

At a guidance meeting for unit leaders on April 1, President Ikeda
announced a new policy for our activities. He put emphasis on
the encouragement for groups rather than districts, for units
rather than groups. Unit is the equivalent of the block unit
of today. Our frontline was instantly multiplied. This became the
foundation for our future victory.
A leader at that time said, quoting President Ikeda: Shine a
searchlight on your organisation. In order to nurture your
members, let them realise their responsibilities. For example, take
water in a bucket. If you stir the water in the bucket, the water will
stop in a short while. But if you stir again before it stops, the water
keeps moving. In other words, to keep the organisation moving,
you have to visit it frequently. The same things can be said for
leaders. You have to visit the frontlines often. Visit various areas in
your organisation as if stirring water in the bucket.
Sensei implemented this guidance as a role model. He often
visited small meetings to encourage each member.
Terue Kitagawa, then a Womens Division Group Chief
When we welcomed President Ikeda to our place, we had just left
my husbands parents house in Yao city and moved to Osaka.
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Due to the distance from my in-laws, I was very worried about

them. I talked with President Ikeda about this. He said, Please
dont worry.
After encouraging me, he went to Yao city to see my
husbands parents. He told them, Please dont worry about your
sons family. I will take care of them.
I will never ever forget his warm consideration. That was
the prime point of my practise.
Utmost encouragement even to those who are not

Soka Gakkai members
President Ikeda attended a meeting for group leaders at the home
of a district womens division chief. The mother of the district
womens division chief had firmly refused to join the Soka
Gakkai. However, she wondered what Ikeda Sensei looked like,
so she came to glance over the meeting. She was dressed plainly,
wearing an apron. She bumped into Sensei. The husband of the
district womens division chief introduced her to him, saying,
This is my mother-in-law.
Are you practising this faith? President Ikeda asked her.
She could not reply to his question. Holding her shoulders with
his hands, he said, Your daughters husband is a great person.
Lets practise together. Yes, she answered.
President Ikedas behaviour touched the hearts of members
on the frontline of the organisation.
Fumiko Inishi, then a Young Womens Division Unit Chief
About five oclock in the morning, Sensei visited our house,
which served as an activity centre. I am sorry that I woke you
up so early, he said. He then asked me if he could get some rest
as he had just arrived in Kansai by an overnight train.
Our business was making tatami-mats, but it was very hard
for us to make a living. We did not have any charcoal with
which to heat our house. I tried to find something to warm
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Sensei on that cold day, but couldnt find anything. My mother

finally found a piece of sakkasu, or sak lees in the cupboard,
and with that we made a sweet drink of amazake (a sweet
alcoholic drink made from fermented rice) for him. He sipped it,
saying, This tastes good, so good.
Sensei never forgot this. When he saw us again some time
after that, he thanked us, saying, Im sorry to have caused
you so much trouble on that early morning. He told the
leaders around him, Your responsibility is to support and
encourage her with all your might. If she leaves the Gakkai,
that is your fault. His words were too generous for me.
Ayako Ohmi, then a Young Womens Division Group Chief
Sensei encouraged me when I was a young womens division
group chief. One day when I went to the Kansai Headquarters, I
saw he was waiting to ask me to draw his portrait. He then
handed me a pencil and a piece of paper. I was surprised at his
request. I had once attended an art school, but I was unaware
that Sensei knew about it.
I do not remember what the picture looked like. What I
remember is that I was very nervous, Senseis shy smile, and the
words that he uttered: Does it look like me? I am still
overwhelmed when I recall this incident.
**********
WE WILL DEFINITELY WIN, SENSEI! PLEASE COME
TO
KANSAI
Osaka stadium in the rain

It had been decided that the Joint General Meeting of Osaka and
Sakai chapters would be held in the Osaka stadium on April 8,
1956 and that Toda Sensei would participate in that meeting. All
the Kansai members wanted to do their best because Toda Sensei
was coming.
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President Ikeda was different. His attitude was, Toda

Sensei, we will be victorious in this campaign, please come to
Kansai! The members learned that this is the attitude of a
genuine disciple towards his mentor.
Akiko Kurihara, then a YWD Corps Chief
In March that year, the Osaka chapter determined to shakubuku
5,000 households and welcome President Toda to the joint general
meeting with the Sakai Chapter on April 8. President Ikeda told us
how we should greet President Toda at the meeting. He said, We
should welcome President Toda with complete victory.
Once the deadline of March had passed and we had reached
our target, we devoted ourselves to doing more shakubuku until
April 8, accomplishing another 4,000 shakubuku within a week.
As a result, the total number of shakubuku in April that year was
9,000 households.
We learnt a very important lesson from President Ikeda. To
us, welcoming our mentor meant achieving a victory.
You can do it!

Despite torrential rains, all the 20,000 participants who filled the
ballpark for the joint meeting were undaunted. The torch of
faith lit by President Ikeda could not be extinguished by the rain.
Members of Kansai developed a strong conviction after the
general meeting. We can do anything if we are determined. Now
they knew that there was nothing impossible for them as long as they
followed President Ikedas guidance (cf. The Human Revolution).
But no one knew at the time that the heavy rain would seriously
affect President Ikedas health as he was suffering from exhaustion.
Behave as though ones mentor is always there
Day and night I reported every little thing about our battles to
President Toda, while I made a tireless effort to carry out many
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things for the victory, writes President Ikeda (cf. The Human
Revolution).
Mr Shiraki, then Osaka chapter chief, says, President
Ikeda reported each result of the struggle to President Toda over
the phone. When we saw President Ikeda on the phone, he
would sit up straight, as if President Toda was actually in front
of him.
Everything begins and ends with the mentor-disciple
relationship (cf. Thoughts on The New Human Revolution).
This is the foundation of the Ever-victorious Kansai spirit.
Setsuko Umemoto, then a Standing Committee member of
Osaka Chapter
When President Toda was with us in the Osaka ballpark, Ikeda
Sensei, who was busy leading us to prepare thoroughly for the
general meeting, said to us: When we disciples meet our mentor,
we must do all we can to ensure
complete victory. This is the way
a disciple should follow.
We learned a lot about the
spirit of the mentor and disciple
relationship from President Ikeda.
When President Toda appeared or left
the stage, Ikeda Sensei would always
bow respectfully to his mentor. He
would stand up straight and stiff even
though he was backstage. When
President Toda would suggest,
Daisaku, dance heroically,
President Ikeda would do so
willingly.
President Toda would
say of Ikeda Sensei:
Follow Daisaku. He is
the person who will
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accomplish what I havent done yet. When we heard this, we

were very impressed to know how deep the relationship
between President Toda and Ikeda Sensei was.
Kaoru Nakayama, then a YWD Vice Corps Chief
At the Kansai headquarters, Sensei requested Ms Hisako Yaoi,
who was a chapter standing committee member, to bring him
something. She replied, Im sorry but what you asked for is not
available now.
When I brought some tea for Sensei, he said to me, I was
just relating an anecdote to Ms Yaoi. One winter day, Toda
Sensei wanted to eat edamame, or young soybeans. In winter,
edamame were scarce. But I did my best looking for them here
and there, and finally found some. They looked bad, but Toda
Sensei ate them with a smile, saying, I am happy to see my
disciple trying to respond to his mentors request. It is the
disciples spirit that makes the mentor happy. I just wanted to tell
her that, said President Ikeda.
Nobuyuki Yanagihara, then a student
I want to win. I want to inform Toda Sensei that we won.
Sensei said this many times.
One day, he was too tired to eat. A womens division
member was worried about Sensei and gave him chopped
cabbage because she heard it was good for the stomach. He
expressed his gratitude for her sincerity and suggested that
we share the cabbage. I didnt like cabbage and hesitated. He
urged me to eat with him, saying, The disciple should do
what the mentor says. I usually did everything Toda Sensei
told me to do, with pleasure. He would often tell me
things that seemed impossible to accomplish, but I did
whatever he said. This is the relationship of mentor and
disciple.
I learned that the relationship of mentor and disciple cannot
be understood only through reason.
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Yasuo Nakao, then a District Chief

The Hanazono Ryokan (Inn) was just behind my house. Toda Sensei
often stayed there when he visited Kansai. My wife and I visited this
inn, which was an activity centre, and so did many other members.
There was one person who stood out from the others. He
dashed out of the inn. I later realised that it was Ikeda Sensei.
Sensei was always urging President Toda, Please take some rest.
Ayako Ohmi, then a YWD Group Chief
In the early days, some Kansai members used the word Sensei
for a leader from Tokyo. This leader supported Kansai activities.
Later, we learnt that this leader had left the Gakkai, and
betrayed it. I now remember that this leader had been eager for
us to call him Sensei.
I had doubts whether it was correct to use this title, but
since he was from Tokyo, I thought it was the right thing to do
and started referring to him as Sensei.
Ikeda Sensei attended a meeting at Kansai Headquarters and
told me very strongly, Do not get out of line. I was very
surprised. He pointed out that there should not be the slightest
gap between mentor and disciple.1
Defeat the devil lurking behind success

Devils reside in heaven. Devils also lurked under the success
of April 8. People grew conceited. They were intoxicated with
their own ability. Sometimes guidance of the leaders sent from
Tokyo began to irritate them (cf. The Human Revolution).
1
Sensei is a Japanese title used to refer to or address teachers,

professionals such as doctors and lawyers, politicians, and other
authority figures. Sen means before and sei means to be born; the
original meaning of sensei is one who is spiritually ahead of others. In
the Soka Gakkai, however sensei denotes the mentor. Here Ikeda Sensei
is clearly teaching the member the true meaning of the mentor-disciple
relationship.
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Friction arose between local leaders and the leaders from

Tokyo. Immediately after the April 8 General Meeting, a leader
went to the second floor of the Kansai Headquarters. As soon as
the leader opened the door to deliver his report, he heard
Senseis dignified voice, saying: Go back to Tokyo. He was
talking to the leaders visiting from Tokyo. He strictly
admonished them for their condescending manner towards the
members in Kansai.
Tadashi Murata, then a Vice Chapter Chief
It was after the General Meeting of April 8, which ended in great
success. There was a subtle gap between leaders sent from Tokyo
and the central leaders of Osaka. The leaders from Tokyo were
certainly doing a good job. They had gained our trust, but we
were not getting along very well.
Are the leaders of Osaka your enemies, or are they your
allies? Sensei asked the central leaders visiting from Tokyo.
It was we who were being impudent. Senseis guidance to
Tokyo leaders made us realise our behaviour. Thus, Sensei defeated
the devils disturbing our unity. We had nothing to fear after that.
**********
TERRIBLY SORRY FOR THE MEMBERS
I WOULD FEEL
IF WE ARE DEFEATED
OF
KANSAI
Dont keep silent

The late chapter womens division chief, Aya Shiraki, would
often quote Sensei on Kansai: I would feel sorry if the Kansai
members were defeated. My strongest wish is to see the
members of Kansai travelling around the world with pride and
hope. He also said, If Kansai is defeated, President Todas
vision will fall apart. This is a struggle we have to win, no matter
what. Upon hearing these words from Sensei, she was
awestruck.
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Without fail, Sensei would ask if there was anything to report to
him. I was silent in the beginning. You should state your
opinion, Sensei said. Dont be silent. You must have something
to say when you are striving.
I learned from this incident that I should report how my
fellow members were struggling. I told him about a young
womens division member. Then he asked, How is her mother
doing? or What about her father? In this way, he asked me
about her in detail.
I dont know, I answered. Sensei said, Your report is
incomplete. If you are truly praying for the happiness of this
member, you should know more about
her. I realised how careless
and irresponsible I had been
towards my fellow
members.
Your husband just
left for home
President Ikeda called up the
wife of a man who was in
charge of one of the areas of
Osaka Prefecture. The people
in charge of the areas recently
formed, such as this man,
would rarely come home. They
would stay at the Kansai
headquarters all night,
struggling for kosenrufu.
At seven in the
morning, a phone
rang, and it was
President Ikeda. This
is Ikeda speaking.
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Thank you for your day-to-day struggles. Your husband just

left for home. Please take care of him. The mans wife was
very impressed. President Ikeda protects and cares for every
member as much as he can. His behaviour enhanced her firm
resolve to try harder.
Tadashi Murata, then a Vice Chapter Chief
At a leaders briefing in the morning, Sensei asked for details on
every situation. To the leaders sent from Tokyo, he asked, How
is your work?
He was also worried about everyones health and said,
Who came back later than I yesterday? To those who raised
their hands, he said, Please go home early today to get some
rest. He cared for the members more than anyone else.
To fellow members who had a lot of debts

President Ikeda visited a member who had incurred a lot of debts
when his family business went into bankruptcy. After listening to
how the members business was forced into such dire circumstances, Sensei said to him, This will become a precious memory
for you. Even though its difficult, dont try to avoid the creditors.
Try to do your best with utmost sincerity. Your problem will
surely be resolved.
To this mans wife, Sensei said, Please maintain a
housekeeping log and make a life plan without any wastage.
Just because you have faith, do not expect that you will only
experience joy. Both suffering and joy will become your own
good fortune. Even though you are suffering now, everything will
turn out to be good for the Law, the people and yourself.
Since that moment, the couple did their best to pay off their
debts to the creditors. Their sincerity in doing so was recognised,
and as a result, creditors waived their claim, which was quite
unexpected.
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Fumiko Watanabe, then a Chapter Standing Committee member

Whenever I heard that Sensei was coming to Osaka, I would
always greet him at Osaka station. However, I stopped
participating in activities because I got tired of harsh words from
a leaders family member. Although the leader worried about me
and visited me, I could not go to activities.
A leader called me unexpectedly and said, Toda Sensei will
arrive at Osaka station tomorrow afternoon. Could you go and
receive him?
The next day, I went reluctantly to Osaka station. I was
standing away from a group of people who had come to meet
Sensei. When his train arrived and Toda Sensei stepped onto the
platform, a crowd of people gathered around him. During this
time, a person passed through the crowd and walked towards
me. It was Ikeda Sensei.
I said, I apologise for making you worry. I was ashamed and
regretful. Sensei kindly said, I understand your situation now that I
have met you. Hearing him say this took a load off my mind.
I later found out that Sensei had requested a leader to ask
[me] to come to the station to meet him.
A CAPABLE PERSON
**********
TREASURE
IS AN IMPORTANT
OF
GAKKAI
Open to any type of questions

How was the heart of eternal victory engraved into the heart
of Kansai members? This spirit was developed through a close
relationship between President Ikeda and the members.
The warmhearted bonds between President Ikeda and the
Kansai members are tied by human-to-human interchange, an
atmosphere where people could talk freely about anything they
wanted to. President Ikeda strengthened the faith of many
members through frank conversations with them.
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Akinori Mineyama, then a Young Mens Division Group Chief

Ikeda Sensei used to go to a public bath2 with the youth
members. Even at the public bathhouse he was thinking of each
member. At one time a member was wearing a pair of socks with
a hole in it. On the following day, I saw Sensei give him new
socks with a shikishi (square piece of fancy paper) on which was
penned, Become a vigorous youth of the Orient A
cosmopolitan youth.
One after another, the young mens division members
washed Senseis back. Sensei then said, Thanks, it feels good,
really good. He used opportunities such as these to listen to
what the members had to say.
One senior member asked, Do you know where the nearest
drugstore is? The senior member needed to find medicine for
Senseis back which had turned red because each of the members
had scrubbed it so vigorously.
Children sleeping in the closet

President Ikeda attended the local meetings with great vigour. He
once attended a meeting at a home used as an activity centre. He was
2
The Japanese bath is integral to the Japanese way of living. Public

bathing in Japanese society has long-standing roots in the culture. In
Japan, every neighbourhood has its public bath. In Tokyo, there are
more than a thousand. The concept of being in a bath with strangers
shows that each one is as vulnerable as the other; they have no armour,
or sword, in the bath. Traditionally, only a son, wife or daughter has
permission to wash the father's back. On the male side of a bath house,
a man letting another man scrub his back is a sign of respect. On the
women's side, a woman letting another woman scrub her back is a sign
of friendship and trust, and can even mean that the two women are
either sisters or best friends. Bathing together like this is commonplace
for the Japanese. The traditional bathing practice in Japan is to first
bathe out of the tub with cold water and then soak in a hot tub after
rinsing off. In Tokyo, the water in the bath house soaking tubs is kept
really hot, almost to the point of scalding.
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told that the children of the house were sleeping in the closet because
the family didnt have enough space to accommodate members.
You will eventually live in a house with lots of space, enough
to have a study room too, President Ikeda said. In addition to this
guidance, he penned a poem to encourage the children.
With hope in your mind
And the sun in your heart,
Illuminated by the light of the Mystic Law,
Grow vigorously
Two years later, the familys wish became true and they
moved to a larger house.
One day, the Kansai headquarters received a telephone call. It was
for a leader of the young mens division. The leader was not there
and so Sensei answered the call. The caller thought that Sensei was
the leader and kept on talking. After listening to him, Sensei
repeated what the man had said, which was humourous and funny.
After a while, the caller started asking, How is Ikeda
Sensei? And Sensei answered, I think hes all right. It was
hilarious! Till the very end of the conversation, the caller
didnt even notice who he was talking to. What a sense of
humour Sensei has! When I was with Sensei, I really enjoyed
myself. I realised that I could actually enjoy the struggle for
kosen-rufu. Until then I had believed that this battle was only
strenuous.
I dislike people who dont study...

On one occasion a junior high school girl attended a womens
division district leaders meeting with her mother.
When President Ikeda came to the meeting, he said, Kansai
has a very cute district leader, doesnt it? The junior high school
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girl raised her hand and said, I accompanied my mother today.

Id like to ask your advice on something.
Her mother seemed to be very surprised. My mother is
working hard both at work and in Gakkai activities. For this
reason, I am helping her with the housework. After school, I
go to the market with the money she gives me. My mother
works too hard, so Ill quit school and work with her. In
addition, I want to do my best for Gakkai activities, said the
young girl.
President Ikeda listened intently to the girl and then
responded: I dont like people who dont go to school. I dislike
a person who doesnt study. Now is the time when you should
help your mother and go to school as much as you can. You
should study while helping your mother.
Touched by his all-enveloping warm heart, the girl
determined to overcome whatever hardships she might face.
A young woman was at a complete loss when appointed as a
womens division district leader and sought Senseis guidance.
Sensei said, I would like you to respect your senior
members who have been doing activities with you. I hope you
will sincerely solicit their support because they are very
important for the organisation.
Then, taking out his folded fan, Sensei pointed at the joint of
the fan and said, When you unfold this fan, you need to hold the
joint to do so. The function of our organisation is the same. The axis
of our organisation is our senior members. If they can comfortably
do their activities, we can be victorious. The young womens
division member regained her confidence through this guidance.
The broken windowpane and a newspaper

A windowpane at the Kansai headquarters was broken. We could
not afford to repair it.
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Standing outside the Kansai headquarters building, President

Ikeda shouted, Please bring some newspapers to me. A senior
leader who was inside the building responded, Sensei, why dont
you read the newspaper inside the building?
President Ikeda replied, Come on, just give me some
newspapers. He folded the paper and threw it into the hole of
the broken windowpane and it fell perfectly into the building.
Sensei, you threw it perfectly! If you think thats easy to
do, try it. The senior leader tried to throw the folded papers, but
they didnt fall into the hole.
In the beginning, they thought President Ikeda was just
playing with the papers.
However, he was actually teaching them the
essence of faith through
this casual behaviour.
When I
was a boy, I
delivered newspapers every day,
rain or shine. I had a
hard time putting the
newspapers into the
mailboxes smoothly.
Since I struggled in the
past, I can throw papers
into the hole of a
broken windowpane
even now. Because you
didnt struggle before,
you cant do it.
President Ikeda was
raising genuine, capable
people who were willing
to make efforts.
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Nobuyuki Yanagihara, then a student

Right after I entered university, I was called to the Kansai
headquarters. I had been practising for four months, and did not
understand anything about the practice then.
President Ikeda said to me, You look sceptical. Yes,
there is something I cannot understand, I replied, and asked
him some questions. Now, as I look back on it, Senseis
precious time was spent on an impudent youth, despite his busy
schedule.
Then Sensei said, I would like you to help me a little.
I said falteringly, Well, Im not able to help you But
before I finished my sentence, another thought overtook me and I
said, Let me take back what I said. Please let me do the work.
While I said this, Sensei gazed at me. He was seriously trying to
foster young people like myself who were still quite immature.
One day, Sensei asked me to call for a taxi. I ran out of
the building to do so. When I returned, a womens division
member related to me that when she told Sensei there was no
need for me to be in such a hurry, Sensei replied that the young
peoples attitude of always giving it all theyve got is truly
respectable.
Toshiyasu Fuwa, then a student
I was one of the members told to come to the Kansai
headquarters with Mr Yanagihara. On the third floor of the
building, Sensei said, No matter what happens, never give up
your faith. Consult me before you do so. Yes, I responded.
The determination I made at that time has helped me to hold on
to my faith until today.
Sensei came in when we were chanting daimoku at the
Kansai headquarters, and told us, Dont chant daimoku in such
a strained voice. Chant daimoku in a refreshing and rhythmical
way, as if you were striding across the sky. He trained us on
every occasion.
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Win by chanting
A woman visited the Kansai headquarters seeking Senseis
guidance. She waited for his return until midnight. President
Ikeda came back, exhausted, after day-long activities with
members. The woman told her story in tears. She talked about
her jobless husband, delinquent child and financial difficulties.
President Ikeda encouraged her despite his fatigue: Dont cry so
much. Tears harm your pretty face. The Gohonzon will never
betray you. You will be happy without fail, no matter how much
pain you are in right now. Your prayers will be definitely
answered. Chant ten thousand daimoku every day. Lets pray
together. Develop your courage and practise this Buddhism
which involves faith, practise and study. Dont worry. Ill pray
for you, too.
In another instance, President Ikeda told us the following
story about the time he visited a district womens leader who was
in a predicament. Determine to chant one million daimoku if
you have a wish. It will be fulfilled without fail as long as you
keep chanting. Its important to chant daimoku to fulfil your
wish.
On another occasion, President Ikeda told a youth member
while they were travelling in a taxi: In Tokyo, I rarely take taxis
because I walk. If I walk, I can chant daimoku on the way.
President Ikeda taught members to win by chanting
daimoku.
Akinori Mineyama, then a Young Mens Division Group Chief
Sensei asked the young mens division members at a meeting,
What do you think we should do to win?
In response, we gave our ideas, expecting Sensei would
work out a subtle strategy for us to follow. However, Sensei said,
Do everything that you said. And chant daimoku.
Sensei respected the youth and their independence.
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Comrades, enjoy, leap and shout!

In April 1956, exactly 9,002 households received the
Gohonzon. This was an unprecedented expansion. This is an
entry in A Youthful Diary:
We will decisively challenge and surpass this target in
May. The dream of 10,000 households is possible to
attain. Like a rising tide, like raging waves, we save
suffering people. Enjoy! Leap! Shout! Dance! Sing!
Robust youth of the Mystic Law! Comrades in spirit!
Now we were entering the month of May, a
monumental landmark in the history of the Soka
Gakkai. The struggle with evil forces and serious
obstacles lay ahead of us.
How can you create an unprecedented history when
youre not committed or ready to stake your life?
Stand up alone in response to the mentors cry from the
depths of his being!
[To be continued]
Daibyakurenge)
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THE OSAKA CAMPAIGN

Part 3 of 3
translated by 41 members of the Kansai World Group and presented to SGI President Daisaku Ikeda on November 18, 2003)
ONES
LIFETIME IS AS SHORT AS A DREAM
Continue to advance further
he Osaka Campaign was filled with adventure. The source of

Osakas advance began with only President Ikedas guidance
and example. What were the crucial points of his guidance in the
first half of the struggle?
The first point was strong prayer: Let every person we
encounter become a supporter for kosen-rufu and function as a
protective force. Be positive in a battle.
The second was a sense of responsibility: The momentum
of the whole group is determined by the leaders vigour, or
tenacity.
The third was actions stemming from a sense of commitment: Youre only theoretical unless youre serious about
taking action.
Now, the latter half of the battle was about to start. What
was the goal? A leader of those days testifies, A good offence is
the best defence that was the theme for the latter half of the
battle.
After the Osaka chapter membership exceeded 9,000, the
Osaka chapter leaders held a meeting on April 29 at the Kan-min
Centre in Kita Ward. President Ikeda appealed to the members
present: Life is like a dream. Lets fight every single day to attain
VALUE CREATION MARCH 2007
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eternal happiness. Napoleon was able to accomplish an astounding

achievement at a young age as a result of his endeavours to
conquer the whole of Europe. When we, who worship the DaiGohonzon, stand up with a firm resolution, there is nothing that
we cannot accomplish, right? Its time for us to rise with a firm
resolution and fight. Lets advance further! Lets achieve victory
under this war cry!
Every district held a rally after the meeting. All the
members were astonished when they learned that 3,000 people
had attended the rally of Abeno District, at the Osaka Central
Public Hall on May 2. All the members realised that great
results could be achieved when they followed President Ikedas
guidance.
President Ikeda then said, Sleeping lions have just
awakened.
The members hearts filled with excitement
The early morning gongyo and study meetings came to be held
every day at the Kansai Headquarters, thanks to President
Ikedas extended stay in Kansai.
Early morning gongyo and study meetings began to create
a vigorous rhythm every morning. The rhythm helped local
leaders or leaders on delegation to decide the actions of that day
with fresh vigour. The rhythm began to beat through the entire
organisation, and it developed into the inspirational source for
the leap of Kansai (cf. The Human Revolution).
The late Hisako Yaoi, then a chapter standing committee
member, wrote: You would have been surprised if you had seen
how we arrived at and departed from those meetings. Lots of
members gathered at the Kansai Headquarters in a flash, and left
just as quickly. No one remained there even a few minutes after
the meeting had finished. It was like an ebb and flow. We could
do so because our hearts were burning with passion and full of
excitement.
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Chizuko Matsui, then a Womens Division District Chief

Early morning gongyo meetings took place at the Kansai
Headquarters every day. President Ikeda cited a passage from
the Gosho every morning to encourage us. We were inspired
by it and joyfully dashed out for activities in our blocks and
returned to the headquarters at night.
My husband died in 1952 and I was too poor to feed my
five- and three-year-old children properly. When I went to the
headquarters, I received a warm welcome from President
Ikeda and he told the leaders who were standing around us,
You should take good care of those who have lost their
husbands.
President Ikeda saw me off at the door of the
headquarters and gave me some sweets, saying, These are for
your children. Things will definitely get better, so follow us
without anxiety.
I was so moved by such warm encouragement. I chanted
daimoku and did Gakkai activities seriously. On the way
home from the headquarters at night, my fellow members and
I walked chanting together. In the early morning, I finished
the laundry and went to the headquarters. I was so busy that
I couldnt remember when I went to bed or when I woke up.
Katsue Morimoto, then a Womens Division Unit Chief
As I was a nurse, I couldnt help but worry about President
Ikedas health. After the meetings his face was often flushed.
The back of his jacket was sometimes soaked with
perspiration. I wondered if he had high fever. I heard from
him later that he had overcome tuberculosis by practising this
faith. I realised he was exerting himself for the campaign
without begrudging his life.
Packages filled with his white shirts and clothing were sent
often to President Ikeda from his wife, who was very concerned
about his health. The campaign was so intense that he had to
change a whole set of clothes every time he finished a meeting.
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Wholehearted hospitality
A womens division district chief gave this description of those
days: When we arrived at the Kansai Headquarters after a whole
day of struggling, Ikeda Sensei would be waiting. He greeted us,
saying, Welcome back. Thank you for your efforts. You must be
tired. On hearing his words, my fatigue used to vanish instantly.
And he also said things such as, Your hair is messed up. Fix your
make-up. I would do so and set out for the discussion meeting.
President Ikeda worked intensely from early morning until
midnight.
Kiyo Yamamoto, then a Womens Division Unit Chief
I still remember Senseis guidance given at the morning Gosho
study meeting. Senseis ichinen or determination in one
single life-moment was very strong: I talk with a person
anytime, anywhere, assuming that well never be able to meet
again. Thats why he or she perfectly understands what I
mean. The important thing is a leaders ichinen.
We changed our way of talking with other members on
hearing this. At that time, Sensei was slender. Whenever he
danced, he put his whole heart into the dance. I often shed
tears when I saw him dance. Sensei said, Its just a dance, but
this might be my last time to do it. I always think that way.
I used to think I can meet her again anytime when I
visited my fellow members. His attitude altered my easygoing
way of thinking.
**********
LET US STAND UP WITH STRONG FAITH AGAINST EVIL!
Evil plots by those jealous for power
On the morning of May 15, six Soka Gakkai members from
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Osaka chapter were arrested by the Osaka Police Department on

suspicion of assault and battery. Newspapers that day carried
stories with the headline Apprehending members using violence
and Arrest warrant for six Soka Gakkai Kansai headquarters
members on the top of the general news page. Some newspapers
even ran photos of the six accused members.
However, there were no such violent incidents at all. It was
obviously a plot hatched by the authorities that were envious of
the Gakkais advancement. This showed their clear intention to
create a reason to oppress the Gakkai.
Sensational reports by the mass media, irresponsible articles
contrary to the facts, gave false information on the Gakkai to
ordinary citizens.
I have to be all ears to seek out every bit of information.
Then I have to examine each piece, and take measures as soon as
possible (cf. The Human Revolution).
At midnight, President Ikeda was chanting to the Gohonzon
at the Kansai Headquarters. When the sun was about to rise, he
spread out a large sheet of paper and wrote At Lightning Speed
and started showering directions on the members.
With lightning speed
Akiko Kurihara, then a Young Womens Division
Corps Chief
A story titled Violent Religion, the Soka Gakkai 6
arrested was carried in a newspaper with photos of the
members whod been arrested.
I cant forget the actions President Ikeda took at that
time. He spread a big piece of paper on a tatami mat of the
Kansai Headquarters and wrote with a brush, Denko Sekka
(Lightning Speed) with amazing speed and energy.
Seeing that, we realised that the battle against the evil
force of power is about to begin. We were all burning with a
sense of mission. Although this is the faith that enables us to
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become happy, we were determined to stand up and fight

against evil forces and to fight together with Sensei
instead of just receiving benefits.
We read his Denko Sekka as to change over to the
offensive fight, fight and fight to the very end, and we
were all shaken up.
If someone criticises us as a violent religion, respond
like this ; he told us how to deal with an argument, giving
concrete examples. Say to them, Please come to our
discussion meetings to see whether this is true or not.
The response attack led to the construction of the
unprecedented monument of victory.
Its you who is frightened!

There were some new members who were swayed by the false
articles written against the Gakkai. After the early morning
Gosho study meeting, President Ikeda asked the leaders of each
area how the members were doing. One of them answered,
This incident has affected us tremendously. Some members
have left us.
President Ikeda asked the same question of another leader;
Im afraid there is some influence. And he asked yet another
leader, who answered, The members are quite frightened.
At that moment, President Ikeda pointed out in a clear and tense
voice. What are you talking about? Its you who is frightened!
Last, he asked one more leader. The leader answered, You
dont have to worry! After hearing this, President Ikeda said,
Right. Just as the Daishonin said, Nichirens disciples cannot
accomplish anything if they are cowardly (WND-1, 481). You
should tackle problems at lightning speed.
Etsuko Yamamoto, then a Womens Division District Chief
We welcomed Sensei to our discussion meeting held at a
kindergarten in Moriguchi City. Six or seven detectives were
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gathered around the meeting place. I was serving as a guard

and yelled at them, Did we do anything wrong? Go away!
They started to leave one by one.
One detective remained there, and Sensei started giving
his speech. In a dignified voice, he spoke bravely about the
greatness of this Buddhism. I could feel his dauntless spirit in
the face of authority. The last detective finally left as though
he was frightened.
There was a phone call from the police soon after that.
The caller said, You are too loud. Speak a bit softer. As
trains were coming and going all the time just
outside the meeting place,
there couldnt have been
any complaints from the
neighbours. The call was
nothing but harassment.
Senseis speech
was like the roar
of a lion.
Newcomers to
the meeting
decided to join us on
the spot, one after
another.
11,111 HOUSEHOLDS
Signs of victory
When great evil occurs, great
good follows (WND-1,
1119); Employ the strategy
of the Lotus Sutra before any
other. All others who bear
you enmity or malice will
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likewise be wiped out. These golden words will never prove

false (WND-1, 1001). President Ikeda gave guidance to the
members with great conviction by citing such Gosho passages.
These were a vital component in attaining the shakubuku result
of 11,111 new households.
Kazumi Kobayashi, then a District Chief
Ikeda Sensei was absolutely determined to win. He asked me,
Whats your target in this campaign? I was thinking about
producing excellent results, superior to those of other
distinguished districts. Ikeda Senseis intention was widely
different. What chapter are you aiming to be better than?
he asked.
I sensed Senseis expectation that one district could
produce the same result as one mid-level chapter in
Tokyo.
I made up my mind and I fought, saying to myself,
Take action, lets fight, as if I were guided by his confident
guidance. As a result, our small district achieved the
shakubuku of 225 households.
Fumiko Watanabe, then a Chapter Standing Committee member
My house was an activity centre. We removed the fusuma
[Japanese traditional sliding doors] to create a large room, 20
tatami-mats in size. Generally, the people who attended the
discussion meetings were poor and sick. Then Ikeda Sensei
appeared.
Whats wrong with the poor and the sick? Who did
they bother? This Gohonzon is absolutely right. All of you
should become happy with this faith, he said.
At that time, we didnt feel happy at all. We never
heard such a word as happiness. The members cheered
wildly with joy upon realising that they also could become
happy.
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Kyoko Tokuno, then a student

I met Sensei for the first time in May. I was such a conceited
student that I was not participating in activities. Sensei said to
me with great compassion, Im glad to see you. What are
you studying at college? What are you going to be in the
future? He asked me about my situation in detail.
I had never met such a senior member who had asked
about me in detail. My heart opened up and I told him
everything.
When I wrote him a letter saying that I was very happy
to have had someone understand me, Sensei promptly wrote
back: In life, fame, fortune and vanity are like fireworks.
There is nothing happier than attaining Buddhahood, or
absolute happiness. Please believe in eternal life and fix your
eyes on the cause and effect of a 50-year life and become
aware of accumulating fortune.
I was so shocked, as if I were hit right on the crown of
my head. Sensei taught me what true happiness is, and to be a
genuine lady who remains unaffected by vanity.
I thought I could never face Sensei as long as my attitude
remained the way it was. I decided that I had to fight in order
to see him again, and started participating in activities.
Thank you very much for your efforts

President Ikedas actions were performed with lightning speed.
He wrote these words of encouragement to a womens division
district chief: Thank you very much for your daily efforts.
Buddhism is victory or defeat. You must have strong faith so that
the demons and the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven lurking
within your will be defeated. I expect that youll exert yourself to
advance with joy and benefits. Take good care of yourself. I hope
you go to bed early at night and maintain a pure and steady faith
like flowing water.
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Chizuko Okamoto, then a Chapter Standing Committee member

Not having been able to achieve results of shakubuku in my
district, I was worried and went to Sensei for guidance. He
did gongyo with me, and after that turned to a person near
him and said, Please bring me paper and a brush.
Then he wrote, To the dear members of Minami
District on a large piece of paper, followed by Courageous
Fighting with a huge brush immediately, at one sitting.
His writing was as if he could see right through the
character of my husband, a district chief who lacked
aspiration.
When I rushed back home with the writing, I told all the
district members, Sensei wrote this for us. Shouts of joy arose.
After that we were able to achieve great results, as though our
unyielding efforts until that moment had never existed.
Application forms fall short

I asked the organisational statistics division of the Soka Gakkai
Headquarters to send 10,000 Gohonzon application forms. Then
one leader at this division said, We sent them to you just the
other day. What on earth are the members in Kansai doing with
them? You shouldnt waste issued forms.
One of the visiting leaders remembered this incident, saying,
It was such a great momentum.
Iwao Murata, then a Mens Division Group Chief
The members in the organisational statistics division who
were encouraged by Sensei played a great role in the
monumental victory of 11,111 new households.
That month I brought the results to Sensei and he said,
Well have 10,000 households very soon. His words spread
to the forefront almost instantaneously, and we accelerated
our pace. We have a little more to go to achieve 10,000.
Lets exert ourselves and go a step further.
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Full of vitality
Members from local areas with application cards rushed into the
rooms of the statistics division at the Kansai Headquarters. The
numbers had been increasing by hundreds every day. The
headquarters was filled with heat as if it was mid-summer, even
though it was still May. Ill never forget members who came
rushing in with cards, their expressions full of vitality, says a
person who was then a member of the organisational statistics
division.
The organisational statistics division compiling the growing
number of new member-households was located on the
second floor of the Kansai Headquarters. I waited for the
reports from organisations in Kyushu, Shikoku and
Chugoku, and then went into the room of the statistics
division. I said to the person in charge, What are the final
results?
He was at his desk; bending forward, he said
ceremoniously, 11,111 households! We did not know what
to say, because the joy of having exceeded our target and the
coincidental number was so overwhelming!
Tokyo can also do it

On May 31, the headquarters leaders meeting was held at the
Toshima Public Hall. During the meeting, the shakubuku results
of all the chapters throughout the nation were announced. The
first place goes to the Osaka chapter, which has achieved 11,111
new member-households. The nationwide senior leaders were
put to shame with the astonishing results. The thunderous
applause from the audience, filled with admiration, envy and
sighs, did not die down for some time (The Human
Revolution).
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The second president, Mr Toda, said,

What do you think of this result?
Tokyo and the others were astonished.
Tokyo members can also do more
because there are many more people in
Tokyo (cf. The Human Revolution).
**********
FOCUS ON
ENCOURAGEMENT
TO MEMBERS!
Subtleties are important
in fighting
Foster members. The guidance
to members started again. A leader
of that time reminisces: Sensei
appealed to us to recognise the
significance of our struggle.
He first explained the significance of Senseis statement: Sensei
appealed to us to recognise the significance of our struggle. What
we were fighting for was kosen-rufu, the great undertaking for the
salvation of all people, he said. He told us to fulfil our mission,
and to take pride in ourselves as bodhisattvas emerging from the
earth. He cited the Gosho passage: It is extremely rare to be born
as a human being. Not only are you endowed with human form,
but you have had the rare fortune to encounter Buddhism (WND1, 993). Sensei told us how happy we should be to have been born
as human beings and to have become Soka Gakkai members.
Next, he explained our mission as bodhisattvas emerging
from the earth, quoting a Gosho passage: Were they not
Bodhisattvas of the Earth, they could not chant the daimoku
(WND-1, 385).
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Finally, quoting the Gosho passage, not yet freed from

delusion, who draw evil karma to themselves by their own
compassionate vow. If they see their father and mother have fallen
into hell and are suffering greatly, they will deliberately create the
appropriate karma in hopes that they too may fall into hell and
share in and take their suffering upon themselves. Thus suffering is
a joy to them (WND-1, 243), Sensei told us the purpose of having
become Soka Gakkai members. He added, Whatever may occur,
you have wished that to happen. You should stand alone.
Everyone was convinced in their hearts. We stood up all at
once, chanting, Lets fight! Sensei said, Please remember that
subtleties are important in fighting.
Hirotoshi Ikeda, then a Mens Division Group Chief
Ikeda Sensei was the forerunner of home-visits in the
Kawachi-Keihan area, including the cities of Yao, Daito and
Moriguchi. He visited about 20 households each day from
morning to night. Members of the young mens division drove
him around all day in a car so that he could move swiftly to
cover a large area. In the car, he chanted daimoku in a soft
voice. He gazed out at the passing landscape, and at times
getting information on the district and its members.
This is an anecdote from when we paid our last visit to a
small meeting in Kita Ward in Osaka. I was feeling relaxed as
the meeting was coming to an end. Then Ikeda Sensei asked
me, Can you sing Kuroda-bushi until the second verse? I
had barely answered Yes when he stood up decisively and
started dancing to my singing. Despite his exhaustion, he led
the members in song and they all sang cheerfully.
I appreciated his painstaking efforts to teach us that we
should never be satisfied with our current condition, but
should exert our utmost in the fight for kosen-rufu.
Seikichi Idoguchi, then a Squad Chief
It was my greatest pleasure to get Ikeda Senseis guidance,
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given at the morning gongyo meeting, through my senior

members. My heart danced with joy and my spirit was revived
when I heard about his romantic adventures of kosen-rufu. He
said, Be a mighty warrior to achieve the great goal of kosenrufu! I said to myself, Yes, I will be such a warrior!
At that time, I was working as a supervisor at a
construction site but harboured the dream of becoming a jazz
musician. Every day I went to work two hours earlier than
other staff members so that I could finish my job in time to
attend the evening meetings. The sweetshop owner in my
neighbourhood smilingly said, I know the time is 6:15 A.M.
when I see you rushing off to work!
At night, I went to members homes on my bike, checking
their addresses at the corner with a flashlight hanging by a
rope tied between one of my shoulders and my chest. Every
night for three months I visited a member who lived 30
kilometres away, to teach him gongyo. I fought so hard that I
forgot about the asthma that I had always suffered from.
In May I started doing early morning gongyo with a
visiting leader. By the time I finished all my activities for the
day, it would be close to midnight. At night, on my worn-out
futon , I studied to become an architect, holding a flashlight
in one hand. After two weeks of intense struggle, I passed the
national exam to become a second-class architect.
The commander should be in the vanguard

At morning meetings, President Ikeda gave us timely guidance
on concrete goals and actions. He said: Those who take the
quicker action will absolutely win. If you lag behind in taking
action, you wont win any battle. When and which action
should be taken? You should grasp the situation with your eyes
based on faith.
On another occasion, he said, A commander should be in the
vanguard. It is the key to victory. The Daishonin said, If the lord
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of a castle is strong and brave, so too are his

soldiers (GZ, 979).
President Ikeda taught us that all
things depended on the leaders
determination.
Nobuyuki Yanagihara, then
a student
My family ran a bicycle
shop. One day Sensei
visited our shop and
asked, Would you please
lend me a bicycle?
He rode to almost all
the discussion meetings
on this bicycle. After he
finished his rounds for
the day, he rushed to
our house riding the
bicycle. His vitality
overwhelmed me. More
than 40 years after that, I
heard that Sensei had said,
At that time, I borrowed a
bicycle from Mr Yanagihara and rode across Kansai with it!
*********
ENCOURAGING ONE PERSON IS THE STARTING POINT
TOWARDS VICTORY
A child who keeps a little bird is kindhearted
President Ikeda always encouraged each and every member. The
road to victory starts from encouraging one person.
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In Thoughts on The New Human Revolution, President

Ikeda writes:
There were times when I attended 25 or 26 meetings in a
single day, always on the move, always telling myself, I
have time for one more and I can encourage more
members. I was drenched with sweat, my voice was
hoarse from speaking, and my legs felt like cement.
While travelling from one meeting place to another, if
someone pointed out a members house to me, I would
always try to stop by, even if just for a minute. Whenever a
member came to the Kansai Headquarters, I would always
try to make time to speak with him or her, even if just a
word of greeting or encouragement. At times when I simply
could not stop, I would wave or acknowledge people with
my eyes, silently sending daimoku to them from my heart.
Akiko Kurihara, then a Young Womens Division
Corps Chief
Sensei walked all across Kansai. He visited members homes
and continued to encourage them.
There was a time when he met a YWD members mother
who didnt practise. Sensei greeted her, saying Im Ikeda in
a sincere and polite manner. He said to her, Your daughter
is a sensible young woman. She is always doing her best. You
dont have to worry about her.
Impressed by Senseis personality, the mother was very
pleased, and said, My daughter is fortunate.
Everywhere Sensei went there was rejoicing among all
the people present. It was really a storm of joy.
Yoshimi Tanaka, then a Mens Division Group Chief
I went to the Kansai Headquarters on a little errand. When I
stepped into the entrance hall and was about to go upstairs, I
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encountered Sensei coming down the stairs. When Sensei saw

my face, he said, Whats the matter with you?
At that time I had been neglecting daimoku. As if Sensei
saw through me, he said, Chant daimoku, and your vital
power will fill your body like the sun. Senseis warm
consideration went straight to my heart.
Later, I earnestly dedicated myself to chanting daimoku,
and overcame economic hardship without even realising I had
done so.
Midori Egusa, then a Womens Division District Chief
At one early morning meeting, it was decided that Sensei
would visit Sakai and Senshu. I was appointed to guide him. I
took him from one meeting place to another.
Finally Sensei said, Today, this is the 24th place Ive
visited. I was really sorry, but I had to tell him that there
was still one more place to visit. Sensei replied
Okay, lets go.
As soon as Sensei opened the
door, everyone at the meeting
shouted with joy. Sensei glanced at
a birdcage in the backyard, and
asked, Who takes care of those
birds?
The lady of the house where
the meeting was held answered,
My son does. I worry about him
not having faith. Then Sensei
encouraged her, saying A child
who keeps small birds is
kindhearted.
After that, her son took
faith and contributed to kosenrufu.
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A person who is intent is a sensible person

One morning President Ikeda received a phone call from a mens
division leader who said he wanted to hold early morning gongyo
meetings in his district. President Ikeda responded: While I
appreciate your enthusiasm, you must realise that victory lies
within the bounds of courtesy. The sound of raised voices in the
early morning will be a nuisance to the neighbourhood. Common
sense itself is representative of faith.
Hisao Masuda, then a Mens Division member
At a guidance meeting President Ikeda asked, Are there any
questions? I was the first one to raise my hand. At the time,
my transport company had gone bankrupt and I was in the
depths of poverty. I explained my situation and asked what I
should do.
Referring to the decorative flower on the table in front
of him, President Ikeda remarked: Take this beautiful flower,
for instance. Does it bloom, thinking it wants to be seen by
people? No, it doesnt. Its mission is simply to bloom
beautifully. Even in the depths of poverty, regardless of what
others may think, you are important. You have a mission.
What matters is for you to bloom beautifully. Say to yourself,
It does not matter whether people look at me or not, but I
will bloom. This is the spirit I must have.
From that point on, I put everything I had into Gakkai
activities. Because I was without money, I had to walk two
hours to the central meeting place. I later bought an old
bicycle if I rode too fast, the tyres would burst.
I once received this guidance from President Ikeda at
the Kansai Headquarters: Apply yourself to faith with the
spirit of permeating your entire being with the Mystic Law.
Doing so will enable you to develop a life-condition of
indomitability, capable of dealing with whatever may
happen.
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President Ikeda was always chanting daimoku. I then

made a determination to chant 10,000 daimoku a day with
the conviction that I would never again face poverty. Three
years later I was able to buy a car, and from then on my
economic revolution took off.
Chant one million daimoku without fail that is what
was engraved in my life during the Osaka Campaign.
**********
WRITTEN MESSAGES OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Great Struggle written in bold, beautiful
brush strokes
President Ikeda, even after making the rounds of the local meeting
places, always sent postcards, letters or poems to members, to
continuously encourage them, writing:
Buddhism is about winning. Those who will advance
until the very end will finally triumph.
Let me pen you a poem commemorating our encounter:
Dedicating the passion
Welling up in your youthful body,
Struggle and endeavour
In the battle of kosen-rufu
Final victory hinges on nothing but the unity and handto-hand struggles of the womens division members.
Hoping for all the more efforts.
Everywhere he went, President Ikeda wrote pieces of calligraphy
for his fellow members in response to their requests. He was
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determined to do anything that would please his friends. That

was his spirit.
Fumiko Watanabe, then a Chapter Standing
Committee member
Senseis brush strokes were dynamic. Since there was no table
big enough to spread out a large sheet of paper in the Kansai
Headquarters back then, Sensei wrote while kneeling on
tatami mats. I prepared black ink beside him.
After finishing the calligraphy for all the district leaders

there, Sensei said, I am going to write one for you, Ms
Watanabe. He gave me the words Great Struggle written in
bold, beautiful brush strokes.
Subsequently, I also received a letter of encouragement.
It said: In spring the blossoms open, in autumn the fruit
appears. Summer is hot, winter is cold. The season makes it
so, does it not? (WND-1, 736). You should consider that
being able to exert yourself in this struggle means being
qualified to receive great benefits. I really hope that you will
give thorough and detailed guidance to your members. Take
good care of your health.
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Filled with courage, I walked to the activities. I will

never forget how my rubber shoes were worn out and bent
into a crescent shape.
Kenichi Fukuo, then five years old
My parents were caretakers at the Kansai Headquarters. It was
June. In a crowd in front of the Kansai Headquarters, I recognised
a leader who was about to leave in a car with my father.
I innocently chased the car, trying to get in. Watch out!
yelled an observer. Astonished by the shouts of people around
me, I quickly ran into the hall of the headquarters. My mother,
very embarrassed, ran after me to scold me. But before she
could catch me, somebody else picked me up and held me in his
arms. It was Sensei.
I later heard that Sensei told my mother: Scolding is not
good in a moment like this. Embrace him like this. Touched
by such warm consideration, my mother cried even though
there were many people around her.
I have another anecdote. My father delivered a report to
Sensei, and Sensei kindly wrote this message for my father on
his own folding fan: Debts of gratitude to the mentor are
loftier than mountains and deeper than the ocean. Friendship
between fellow members is like moonlight, being beautiful and
imperishable.
My father was so overjoyed and overwhelmed, he began
to jump up and down at the headquarters.
Treasure your work and your wife

A district leader, Tomio Okamoto, was exerting himself in
Gakkai activities but his activities were not producing any
results. He was neglecting his work and family and, bogged
down by his busy schedule, he didnt even notice that he was in
such a desperate situation. At this time, he received a letter from
President Ikeda.
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The letter said, The great fight of this century is for the
Mystic Law. Please take a brilliant lead as a great soldier. Please
treasure your work and your wife.
He was taken aback. It reminded him of the Second
President Todas guidance How is your work? There are
no problems. I entrusted it to others. You shouldnt leave your
work to others. Work is a part of practising faith. You have to
take responsibility for it yourself.
That night he apologised to his family for his behaviour and
pinned a large piece of paper on a wall in his house, pledging to
achieve his human revolution. On the paper was written this
message: We, the Okamoto family, have been saved and
fostered by the Soka Gakkai. We will never forget this debt of
gratitude.
Mina Ueda, then a Young Womens Division Group Chief
It was a very hot and muggy night in June. When I came
home, I saw I had received a postcard from President Ikeda,
with this message: A strong determination can pierce a
rock. You shouldnt forget a strong and spontaneous faith,
which can change your karma and unfold your life, no matter
what. Whether you have won or lost is determined at the last
moment of your life. Therefore, you must know that the
struggle in everyday activities is the source for accumulating
good fortune. Especially in this campaign, please dont forget
sincerity, kindness and a smile when you lead members or
give them guidance. I pray for your great achievement.
After I lost my parents, I had moved to Osaka from distant
Otaru, and become a hairdresser. I had suffered from a chest
disease and spent seven years in a sanatorium. I joined the Soka
Gakkai in the seventh year of my hospitalisation. Just after I
was discharged from the sanatorium, I received this postcard.
Sensei was worrying even about me in such a situation.
Tears were flowing from my eyes as I followed the words, one
by one, on the postcard.
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Im going to answer to Senseis expectations to the

person who knows everything about me and definitely win
and become happy. The prayer for my own happiness fused
into my prayers for kosen-rufu.
Day-and-night struggle
At the Kansai Headquarters, President Ikeda came across a
pregnant womens division district chief. President Ikeda said to
her, Please take care of yourself.
Several days later, the womens division district chief
received a postcard: Thank you so much for your day-and-night
struggle for the campaign even though you are pregnant. Lets
achieve victory and report to the Gohonzon. Please stay in good
health.
President Ikeda always concentrated on encouraging even
one person from the bottom of his heart.
Hiroko Nishimura, then a Womens Division member
President Ikeda came to the meeting place escorted by my
husband. The wife of the host asked Ikeda Sensei to pen some
words, holding out a piece of paper and a brush. President
Ikeda wrote with a brush, Like water, and then he added
Dear Group Chief.
Suddenly she said, Sensei, my husband is not a group
chief. He is a unit1 chief.
President Ikeda replied with a smile, I cant win over the
unit chief, can I? This water doesnt mean water that flows
slowly. When water hits some rocks, rises over the rocks and
keeps flowing I mean the kind of water that flows
dynamically.
The meeting place was quiet, with only five people.
President Ikeda said, Nichiren Daishonin said, although
1
A unit is smaller than a group

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Nichiren and his followers are few, because they are

different in body, but united in mind, they will definitely
accomplish their great mission of widely propagating the
Lotus Sutra (WND-1, 618). Although our supporters are
few, if we keep chanting to the Gohonzon, we will
definitely achieve a great victory. When he was leaving,
he said, Now, summon up your courage! From the
next day, everyone started to contribute to the campaign in
our area.
To become a fully-committed person

President Ikeda said, Im going back to Tokyo on urgent business,
and the visiting leaders told him, Please be rest assured ...
They all relaxed at the Kansai Headquarters for a while,
deciding that they could take a rest because President Ikeda had
returned to Tokyo. Suddenly the door opened and President Ikeda
came back; there had been a sudden change of plans. Seeing the
leaders attitude, he said: Same Birth and Same Name are
looking at everything, even if no one else is looking at you. Faith
is not trying to look good, but exerting yourselves steadily behind
the scenes. Where there is unseen virtue, there will be visible
reward (WND-1, 907). Faith means unseen virtue.
All of them expressed regret and reflected seriously on
themselves, and transformed themselves into fully-committed
individuals, moved by President Ikedas strong inner determination.
**********
STILLNESS IN MOVEMENT
Listen to music
The campaign drew closer. All youth division leaders were in a
hurry to reach their base of activities, but President Ikeda told
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them, Please wait. Go after listening to a

record.
They thought, What is this for?
Everyone is waiting for us at the
central meeting place.
President Ikeda coaxed them:
The expression in your eyes has
changed as you all rush pell-mell
to your meeting places. You need
Stillness in Movements.
They listened to Kojo No
Tsuki (The Moon over the Castle
Ruins). While listening, they developed
a sense of space in their hearts.
Now, Ill see you off. President
Ikeda then sent them off to their central
meeting places.
Setsuko Umemoto, then a Chapter Standing
Committee member
Once we climbed to the top of Osaka Castle. President Ikeda
said, Sometimes you should view the future of kosen-rufu
with a broad mind, from a high place like this. What would
you do if you got exhausted?
I would take a nap, of course, I replied innocently.
Then he said to me, Taking a nap is one way, but I
suggest that you listen to an excellent piece of music. If you listen
to the music of Wolfgang A. Mozart, Ludwig Van Beethoven
and so on, you will recover from your mental fatigue.
Masuko Mineyama, then a Young Womens Division
Vice Corps Chief
President Ikeda had been visiting members to encourage them.
Suddenly he got out of his car, looked up at the night sky,
and said, What a beautiful moon. Until then I hadnt even
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realised where the moon was, I was obsessed with thinking

about the next step of our programme. I was touched by his
attitude of Stillness in Movement.
**********
ONE STRIDE OF A HUNDRED PEOPLE IS MORE
VALUABLE THAN A HUNDRED STRIDES OF ONE PERSON
Salmon skewered on a bamboo
During the campaign, President Ikeda had discussions with
each member and asked about their lives. One of the youth
division leaders at that time said: Sensei asked me about my
friends. As he asked one question after another, I became
unable to answer them. I realised that I didnt know that much
about my friends.
Sensei told us an old tale about a brown bear that carries
salmon skewered on a bamboo stick. In autumn, the bear catches
salmon coming up-river, eats until it is satiated, then skewers the
left-over salmon and carries them on its shoulder. But as it walks
along, the bear drops salmon in its wake.
Sensei said, Even if you skewer salmons on a bamboo stick,
its meaningless if they keep dropping off. A hundred strides by
one person are likely to end up as those left-over salmon
skewered on a stick. Thats why just one stride of a hundred
people is more valuable than a hundred strides of one person.
And what can be done to prevent the salmon from falling
off? Pray by remembering the name of each person. Thus Sensei
told us the importance of having strong determination to care
about each person.
No one cared more about each individual than Sensei. Sensei
rode a bicycle to visit and encourage the members. He used
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three bicycles one after the other as each bicycle broke down
during the Osaka Campaign.
One time, Sensei was resting after visiting six meeting
places. One of the members who was good at massaging tried
to take the stiffness out of Senseis shoulders, but they proved
too stiff to relieve.
Faith like clear water

President Ikeda gave guidance about a leaders attitude.
Leaders must be sensitive. Being sensitive to everything is
another word that describes faith. As Nichiren Daishonin
states in the Gosho, When water is clear, the moon is reflected.
When the wind blows, the trees shake. Our minds are like the
water. Faith that is weak is like muddy water, while faith that
is brave is like clear water (WND-1, 1079). The moon is not
reflected in muddy water. When your faith is clear, you will be
sensitive.
**********
THE LAST MOMENT IS CRUCIAL IN STRUGGLE
We have remained alive for this moment
President Ikeda gave us guidance: The last moment is crucial in
struggle. Even if you have tried very hard up to this point, if you
allow your spirit to slacken, everything will have been in vain:
This is where you will cross the Uji River. This is where you will
ford the Seta. This will determine whether you win honour or
disgrace your name (WND-1, 829).
What is important is when you are in the last spurt, or
when you finally cross the bridge of Seta: The reason that you
have survived until now when so many have died was so that you
would meet with this affair (Ibid.).
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When I had heard that President Ikeda would visit our district,
I rushed to the district meeting place. When he saw me, he
asked me if I was the wife of the district chief. I replied, I am
Fukuzumi and I am the womens district chief of this district,
and have lost my husband.
Right after that he tapped his knee. He recalled that six
months ago he had encouraged me I had five children to
take care of by saying, Dont cry. I know it hurts, but you
should remember that you are the happiest person no matter
what happens to you, because you were able to meet the
Gohonzon.
He told me with joy, Now you really look good. I can
tell that you have been determined. You have changed. You
really have changed. I had really worried about you. I truly
felt pain for you.
A few days later, President Ikeda wrote to me, quoting a
Gosho passage: sacrificing your life for the Lotus Sutra is
like exchanging rocks for gold or dung for rice (WND,
764). I cried holding his letter. I became even more
determined to devote myself to kosen-rufu and to transform
my karma.
To live up to my mentors expectations

In Thoughts on The New Human Revolution, President Ikeda
writes: I set out on the campaign with single-minded devotion,
risking my whole self for the sake of the fellow members. From
early morning until late at night, I exerted my utmost to visit and
encourage the members throughout Osaka City.
On June 28, the Kansai Womens Division General Meeting
was held at the Osaka Central Public Hall. In his address,
President Ikeda called on the members to act on their beliefs with
unwavering commitment: Please carry through with your
practice while becoming a fine citizen so that people throughout
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Osaka will like you. Let us apply ourselves to Buddhist practice

as gracefully as blooming flowers.
Teruji Kotani, then a Mens Division Unit Chief
I can never forget what Sensei told us in the drawing room of
the third floor of the Kansai Headquarters. He said,
President Toda said he would look after the affairs of the
Kansai members if they ever collapsed. What could give us
more pleasure than to hear these words? Let us strive further
with renewed determination!
I thought that what President Toda meant by this remark
was that he would take full responsibility until the last
moment. It was then that I realised that Sensei shared the
same determination as President Toda for Kansai. I said to
myself, Our mentor is watching us struggle. We are so
fortunate. My whole body trembled with joy and I dashed
out of the room to engage in activities.
Mina Ueda, then a Young Womens Division Group Chief
It was around the beginning of July. Sensei gave me a folding
fan on which was written this message: The day of great joy
is approaching. I count on your noble leadership in the final
days.
Kenichi Fukuo, then five years old
While people in the Kansai Headquarters were overjoyed at
the news of the great victory in the Osaka Campaign,
Sensei was preparing to leave. My father, then headquarters
caretaker, approached Sensei and thanked him for his long
stay and the leadership he exerted throughout the
campaign.
Sensei said, Thank you for everything over such a
lengthy period of time. Everyone looks so delighted. Im
happy to see that. In the Russo-Japanese war, General Nogi
made his name at the cost of thousands of lives. I, however,
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rather than desiring to attain fame for myself, only hope that
all the Kansai members, without exception, will become
happy.
Uttering these words, Sensei departed from Osaka.

Daibyakurenge)
172

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VC _1_02_B.

THE OSAKA CAMPAIGN

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

When President Ikeda said to one of the leaders from Tokyo,

Preparation accounts for 90 per cent of the task to accomplish

forget. I, Nichiren, do not cry, but my tears flow ceaselessly. I

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

Up until that moment, with the collapse of my husbands

Produce fire from damp wood

must start from sincere and strong prayers to the Gohonzon.

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

accidents. But Sensei answered, I am infiltrating daimoku into

A cheerful atmosphere attracts people

completely opposite way. He suggested dancing to

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

Powerful and strong prayers and the most effective action

question-and-answer sessions for prospective study department

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

not feel I belonged there because I was inexperienced and so

The Gosho is the sword of a samurai

Gosho, he would ask very severely, What happened to your

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

Sensei unexpectedly attended the meeting held at the Kansai

All the members should stand up with faith

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

I meet each and every member in person to give guidance.

help out at the meeting place. On that very day, numerous

Socks in the closet

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

keep a number of socks in the closet of your apartment?

Encouragement with a delivery of Chinese noodles

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

Your duty in managing statistics is like facilitating the

The springboard for great expansion

after the Kamata chapter. Thorough guidance to members

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

It was in early February that we had four guests at the

Divide the organisation area-wise into five

Reminiscing about those days, the then local leader said: If

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

THE LOTUS SUTRA IS KNOWLEDGE RELATING

In tune with our mentor

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

President Ikeda said, Engrave this philosophy in the core of

The leaders ichinen, or determination, is the key to success

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

propagation, the mission of the Soka Gakkai, how to raise

A swan in the moats of Osaka Castle

One chilly day in January, our beloved mentor, President

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

into disorder. Suppose there is a mens division member who

Such flights existed then between Shirahama and Osaka.

Ponder and devise plans in your mind

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

Cherry buds were beginning to swell, and one of the youth

The Osaka Campaign of 1956

Early Morning Gosho Lectures

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

The Human Revolution says: Every morning, he, who kept

steady increase in the shakubuku goals, members thought that

VALUE CREATION JANUARY 2007

THE OSAKA CAMPAIGN

BASED ON ACTION LEADS TO VICTORY