Josei Toda Speech

The rapid growth of the Soka Gakkai in the 1950s led to a plan for the construction of new temples across Japan so that members could receive Gohonzon and develop a connection with the priesthood in their local areas. The first of these temples to be completed and have a Gohonzon enshrining ceremony was Myosho-ji on 10 November 1954. This was followed by Myoke-ji Temple completed on 17 November and Shomyo-ji Temple on 15 December. Here is an extract from Josei Toda's speech on 15 December 1954 at Shomyo-ji.



You can see that from 2:10 to 2:15 there is a message to SGI members to return to Nichiren Shoshu. This is followed by images from Taiseki-ji including the interior of the building where the Dai-Gohonzon is enshrined. A building that replaced the one donated by the Soka Gakkai that was controversially demolished by High Priest Nikken.

The NST often uses President Toda's speeches to highlight the close relationship that existed between the Soka Gakkai and the priesthood, but during the 1950s the relationship between the two was generally okay. It was only when the priesthood started to deviate from the teachings of respect and equality found in the Gosho that President Ikeda challenged these beliefs leading to the excommunication of the SGI. I'm sure if they were alive, neither Tsunesaburo Makiguchi nor Josei Toda would have tolerated this behaviour either.

History of the Soka Gakkai

Today is the foundation day of the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai (Society for Educational Value-Creating) which was formed on 18 November 1930 by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda who had been practising Nichiren Buddhism for two years.   

Both President Makiguchi and Josei Toda were not prepared to compromise their faith, and were among only a few Nichiren Buddhists across Japan that refused to enshrine a Shinto talisman with their Gohonzon during World War II.  This, together with President Makiguchi’s open criticism of the military authorities' restrictions on Buddhist practice at that time, led to their arrest and imprisonment.  Mr. Makiguchi later died in prison on the 18 November 1944.

Josei Toda left prison on probation in 1945 and although he was suffering physically, his faith and spirit remained strong allowing him to oversee the growth of the Soka Gakkai across Japan. 

Ten Worlds - You Got This

This is a short 4 minute film by a motivational speaker called Sean Stephenson who has a genetic disorder called osteogenesis imperfecta, which is more commonly known as "brittle bone disease". I don’t know if he is a Buddhist but this video, written and starring him, is a nice introduction to some of the life states from the Ten Worlds.






And if you are interested, here is a bit more information about Sean.