The following is from a speech at the Soka Renaissance Victory Leaders Meeting in Tokyo on Nov. 30, 1991. It can be found in The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, chapter 29, installment 2, pp. 349–52.
From the mid-1970s, the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood—jealous of the success of the Soka Gakkai and Ikeda Sensei in building a global network for kosen-rufu—plotted the lay organization’s destruction. It tried to drive a wedge between Sensei and the members and bring the Soka Gakkai directly under its control. In an attempt to resolve this situation, Sensei resigned as Soka Gakkai president in 1979. The developments leading up to and immediately after this event are known as the “ first priesthood issue.”
The fundamental nature of the priesthood, however, remained unchanged, and in 1990, it hatched a plan known as Operation C (“C” meaning to “cut”), finally excommunicating the organization in November 1991. The developments leading up to and immediately after this announcement are known as the “second priesthood issue.”
On Nov. 30, two days after the notice of excommunication was issued, a special Soka Gakkai leaders meeting to celebrate the organization’s spiritual independence was held with Sensei.
Based on perspectives articulated by scholars, the characteristics of a world religion can perhaps be summarized as follows:
1. Administration conducted in an open, democratic fashion
2. Adherence to the fundamentals of faith while allowing free speech
3. Egalitarianism that promotes mutual respect and the participation of all believers
4. Emphasis on faith rather than ritual
5. Leadership that is open to all members, based on ability rather than birthright
6. Universal doctrines that are propagated using methods appropriate to the times
The Soka Gakkai has every one of these characteristics.
Buddhism teaches that all things are in a state of constant flux. It also tells us that as long as we have faith in the correct teaching, we can regard everything that happens as according fundamentally with the Buddha’s intent. It’s important to look at the present changes from a longer perspective, 20 or 30 years hence.
It’s truly regrettable that the Soka Gakkai’s efforts to maintain the harmonious unity of the priesthood and the laity have now failed to bear fruit. But, as many thoughtful individuals have pointed out, the priesthood, if it continues on its present course, is certain to decline with the passage of time and inevitably find itself embroiled in unending infighting. Some in the priesthood have also voiced concern about this. If it happens, it will have disastrous consequences.
Such conflict within the priesthood could quite easily have spilled over into the Soka Gakkai and led to our precious members being further exploited and experiencing even more suffering and pain—something that must be avoided at all costs.
I think it is deeply significant, therefore, that the priesthood should have notified us that it was disassociating itself from the Soka Gakkai before that point was reached. Later, we are sure to see that we have had a lucky escape.
We of the Soka Gakkai have faith and unity. Please be confident that all is unfolding just as Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, would have wanted and move forward with complete peace of mind. Nichiren is protecting us.
Josei Toda once said, “The Soka Gakkai must remain directly connected to the Daishonin through his writings.” Mr. Toda always saw right to the heart of things. He was a great visionary.
We believe in Nichiren, not in some intermediary, as our foundation. We must be clear on this point. We will continue to work tirelessly to fulfill the great vow for “kosen-rufu through the compassionate propagation of the great Law”[1] in exact accord with the intent of the Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day.
In “On Repaying Debts of Gratitude,” Nichiren writes, “If Nichiren’s compassion is truly great and encompassing, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread for ten thousand years and more, for all eternity” (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 736).
We must remember that kosen-rufu advances due to the boundless compassion of the Daishonin. It is our supreme honor to shoulder that noble undertaking.
In The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Nichiren says, “Now when Nichiren chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, he is enabling all living beings to attain Buddhahood in the ten thousand years of the Latter Day of the Law” (OTT, 41).
Anyone who strives in accord with Nichiren’s teachings can attain Buddhahood.
He says: “in the ten thousand years of the Latter Day of the Law” (OTT, 41) and “for ten thousand years and more” (WND-1, 736). Let us set forth on a magnificent, hope-filled new start in our efforts for kosen-rufu, aiming toward the future, ten thousand years hence.
April 17, 2026 World Tribune, pp. 2–3
References
- One of the inscriptions in the margin of the Soka Gakkai Kosen-rufu Gohonzon, enshrined in the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu, reads: “For the Fulfillment of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu through the Compassionate Propagation of the Great Law.” ↩︎
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