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.