"War is barbarous and inhuman. Nothing is more cruel, nothing more tragic."
The foundation of the Soka Gakkai was laid in Japan under the leadership of an educator, Mr. Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. Together with his disciple, Mr Toda, he was imprisoned because of his uncompromising opposition to the government’s policy controlling religion.Mr. Makiguchi died in prison at the age of 73.
When Mr. Toda was released from Toyotama Prison on 3 July 1945, fired with the determination and a sense of mission that he alone must carry on the will of Mr Makiguchi.
A 19 year-old, Daisaku Ikeda was brought by a friend to a discussion meeting. He was struck my Mr. Toda’s conviction and clarity of wisdom. He resolved at once not only to begin to practise Daishonin’s Buddhism but to personally support Mr. Toda.
He wrote the following poem :
Traveller,
Where do you come from
And where do you go
The moon has set
And the sun has not yet risen
In the darkness before the dawn I advance
In search of light to dispel the dark clouds in my mind
To seek a great tree unbowed by the storm
I spring from the Earth.
- Daisaku Ikeda
Not forgetting his initial resolve and inspired by Mr. Toda’s sense of mission, he was determined to strengthen and improve himself, he wrote the following poem to Mr. Toda,
“Still serving an old and Mystic fate
Though others change
I alter not.”
Mr. Toda replied,
"Whenever I stand on fields of war
Unfailing at my side
You are my sword
Fading, failing at death
I, the king, leave to you, my crown."
Mr. Toda believed that the youth should train themselves as leaders of the next generation.
As the bond of the master and disciple grew stronger between Mr. Toda and Daisaku Ikeda, the young Ikeda was entrusted with greater responsibilty, being the person in-charge for leading the movement of kosen-rufu from the front.
In 1956, President Toda sent the young Ikeda to Osaka to take charge of a campaign culminating in May.
In that single month, 11,111 households received Gohonzon. This seemed an impossible goal; the young Ikeda taught the members the principle of winning in front of the Gohonzon.
When Mr. Toda was first appointed the 2nd President of the Soka Gakkai, he had startled everyone by announcing his goal that the membership should grow to 750,000 households before his death.
In December 1957, this target was surpassed. President Toda proclaimed 3 guiding principles of the Soka Gakkai:
1. Faith for building the peace and happiness of one’s family.
2. Faith for overcoming obstacles and hardships.
3. Faith to win individual happiness.
On 16 March 1957, a commemorative ceremony for kosen-rufu was held. At this historic meeting, President Toda entrusted the future of kosen-rufu to the youth division. They should all encourage each other no matter what obstacles they may face.
On 2 April 1957, President Toda passed away peacefully, having fulfilled all of his life’s goals.
Many non-members believed without Josei Toda, the Soka Gakkai would crumble. However, because of the firm bond of mentor and disciple relationship that has been forged, the movement for kosen-rufu was established for all eternity.
On 3 May 1960, Daisaku Ikeda assumed the position of the 3rd President of the Soka Gakkai at the age of 32.“As a representative of Mr. Toda’s disciple, although very young, I’m going to take the initiative in order to advance the movement for kosen-rufu.”
- Daisaku Ikeda
“The Soka Gakkai should create the castles of capable people. This is absolutely true. Despite the great obstacles and hardships which attacked the Soka Gakkai recently, we have been steadily moving forward because Mr. Toda and I have devoted ourselves to fostering capable people. Without capable people we could not have continued. What is meant by the Castles of Capable People? It is those who have Gohonzon shining in the centre of their lives and who show actual proof of the power of the Gohonzon in their area and their workplace. Therefore, you are all the Castles of Capable People, the Castles of Myoho and the Castles of Kosen-Rufu. I sincerely hope and pray that you will remain as castles, shining your whole life for the sake of all people in your area, other members and your juniors.”
- Daisaku Ikeda
(Excerpts from Noble Pioneers)
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