This study series covers Soka Spirit topics to be presented by a youth or student division member at Soka 2030 meetings on the last Sunday of each month.
Facing and overcoming persecution has been a vital part of the Soka Gakkai’s legacy, confirming its identity and mission. Shakyamuni Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin and, more recently, the Soka Gakkai’s three founding presidents and its members have all faced such challenges.
April 24, 1979, symbolizes a prime example of this. That is the day when Ikeda Sensei stepped down as Soka Gakkai president to protect his fellow members from continued abuse by the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood. This painful decision came amid what is known as the first priesthood issue, when the priests sought to assert control over the lay organization. (The second priesthood issue culminated with the formal excommunication of the Soka Gakkai and its members on Nov. 28, 1991).
At times in the Soka Gakkai’s history, its relationship with the priesthood had been constructive, allowing members access to the Gohonzon and Nichiren’s writings. At other times, however, the relationship deteriorated. By the mid to late 1970s, corruption within the priesthood had increased. Some priests asserted authority over lay believers while doing little to spread the Mystic Law or encourage members.
Despite this, Soka Gakkai members continued making sincere efforts to advance kosen-rufu. But rather than supporting their efforts, the priests frequently harassed members and criticized Sensei, aiming to drive a wedge between mentor and disciples.
Adding to the turmoil, a handful of Soka Gakkai leaders—Masatomo Yamazaki, Genjiro Fukushima and Takashi Harashima—exploited the growing tension in pursuit of their own ambitions.
Intense Turmoil Leading Up to May 3, Soka Gakkai Day
All this unfolded as the Soka Gakkai approached the significant date of May 3, 1979, Soka Gakkai Day—marking the completion of the first set of Seven Bells,[1] which began at the Soka Gakkai’s founding in 1930. By 1979, the movement had grown to more than 8 million members worldwide, laying the groundwork for a global peace movement. However, as Nichiren warned, persecution or opposition often arises from within the Buddhist community—a fact that was becoming painfully clear.
In the two weeks leading up to May 3, Sensei met with top Soka Gakkai leaders and asked whether he should step down as president to calm the situation and safeguard the members. One leader replied defeatedly, “You can’t go against the flow of the times.”[2] No one was prepared to confront the injustice head-on.
On April 24, 1979, Sensei made the difficult decision to step down in order to protect the members amid escalating turmoil. Through the plotting of Yamazaki and certain high-ranking priests, he was prohibited from attending meetings or offering guidance. His writings were also barred from publication in the Seikyo Shimbun and other Soka Gakkai publications.
Yet, he did not retreat. He continued fighting wholeheartedly to advance kosen-rufu. As president of Soka Gakkai International, he traveled overseas, strengthening the foundation for global kosen-rufu. Also as SGI president, the Seikyo Shimbun could publish his guidance to members around the world, allowing him to encourage members in Japan as well.
What became increasingly clear is that the priesthood had strayed far from Nichiren’s spirit, reducing their role to that of self-serving authoritarians.
Transforming Adversity Into Progress for Kosen-rufu
Nichiren wrote while exiled on Sado Island, “I feel immeasurable delight even though I am now an exile.”[3] Sensei embodied this same spirit, using hardship as fuel for deeper compassion, wisdom and courage.
During this period, he poured his energy into encouraging students at Soka schools and visiting pioneer members. Every obstacle became a springboard for growth and an opportunity to transform adversity into progress for kosen-rufu.
Despite losing his formal title, Sensei never withdrew. He never acted out of self-importance. His sole concern remained caring for his fellow members and faithfully responding to his mentor, Josei Toda.
Reflecting on his vow, Sensei states: “I realized that the path of a disciple is to make the vision of one’s mentor a reality, no matter how challenging it might be. As Mr. Toda’s disciple, his vow became my vow, and achieving it became my personal mission.”[4]
Ultimately, this time in our history reminds us that what matters most is not position or title, but the depth of our commitment—to our mentor, to one another and to the shared struggle for kosen-rufu.
Click here to explore a five-part series on Stormy April 24.
April 10, 2026 World Tribune, p. 9
References
- The Seven Bells are series of seven seven-year periods outlining targets for the Soka Gakkai’s development. The first series of Seven Bells started with the organization’s founding in 1930 and ended in 1979. May 3, 2001, signaled the start of the second set of Seven Bells spanning the years until 2050. Together with the third set of Seven Bells to follow, it represents the establishment of respect for the dignity of life as the underlying spirit of the age. For more on the Seven Bells, please see the Feb. 2, 2024, World Tribune, p. 10. (https://www.worldtribune.org/2024/the-seven-bells). ↩︎
- April 17, 2015, World Tribune, p. 5. ↩︎
- “The True Aspect of All Phenomena,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 386. ↩︎
- Feb. 16, 2024, World Tribune, p. 2. ↩︎
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