At Iwakuni, the easternmost city of Yamaguchi Prefecture, the youth stood before an enduring landmark—the Kintaikyo Bridge, with its elegant five wooden arches spanning the Nishiki River.
Ikeda Sensei stood in the same spot in October 1984, during his fifth visit to Iwakuni. In the bridge and its magnificent form, he saw the Soka Gakkai itself:
The Kintaikyo Bridge … braved the elements for more than two centuries, maintaining its beautiful form of five consecutive arches.
In the same manner, the Soka Gakkai, undergoing floods of criticism and slander, has now firmly established its perpetual foundation due to the power of faith which we derive from the perpetual Mystic Law. …
No matter what adversity you encounter, you should carry on your faith by all means. It is not for the sake of other people; rather your own. I say this because I am thoroughly aware of the vast difference between those who lose their faith halfway and those who maintain their faith and live according to their belief. (Jan. 28, 1985, World Tribune, p. 6)
The Iwakuni members conveyed to the youth how the Yamaguchi Campaign—one of the six storied propagation campaigns that formed the bedrock of kosen-rufu in Japan—was born of Sensei’s determination to build an indestructible bridge for the people, carrying those wandering the riverbanks of misfortune to the opposite shore of happiness.
Local members shared how during that 1984 visit, Sensei joined a group of 20 future division members along the Nishiki River. There he asked them about their dreams, including what university they would attend. Most replied: “Soka University.” Together, they sang songs and fished for and cooked ayu (Japanese sweetfish). To those present, it became a turning point, in which many made a vow to grow into capable leaders for kosen-rufu.
The youth traveled to the Iwakuni Culture Center for their exchange meeting, where they saw two treasures proudly on display: a photo of Kintaikyo Bridge that Sensei took, along with his business card that a member of Iwakuni received in 1956 during the Yamaguchi Campaign.
Bringing Down Walls Through Dialogue
Kamili Rosenbaum Montclair, N.J.
During the exchange meeting at the Iwakuni Culture Center, I spoke with an older member who shared that her husband doesn’t practice Buddhism but supports her by opening their home and driving members to activities. This reminded me of my mother, who isn’t a member but supports my Buddhist practice. This showed me the interconnectedness we all share. Regardless of where we are from, dialogue has the power to bring down any walls we’ve put up.
Our dialogue with atomic bomb survivor Keiko Ogura put many things into perspective for me. Kosen-rufu doesn’t feel like a faraway concept anymore. She reassured us that youth have so much power. I feel that it’s up to us to take full responsibility for our lives and take action to build the society we wish to see.
With the current state of the world, there’s no question that urgent action is necessary. I am chanting daily to expand my capacity, deepen my faith and treasure each individual I encounter. In this way, I will build an indestructible Buddhist practice and rejoice rather than retreat. With a deeper understanding of my own vow, I am determined to face everything head-on and be the best friend possible to all the youth I support.
United Across Cultures
Olive Wang Champaign, Ill.
Talking with the local members in Iwakuni, I realized that although we practice Buddhism in different countries and speak different languages, we are all fighting for kosen-rufu together. We are all united in working to transform our communities based on Ikeda Sensei’s vision.
During the exchange meeting, our group performed a short cheer in front of the members. At first, I was nervous about how they would react. We then performed a second time, and the members in the audience joined in for a human wave. This showed me their sincerity to unite with passion.
The members in Iwakuni meticulously prepared for our arrival. When we were eating lunch, a woman prepared ceremonial green tea for all of us. The level of care they put in to offer us a welcoming experience was truly encouraging. It made me think of ways I can show the same appreciation to the members of my local organization.
From the training course, my determination is to overcome my self-doubt and see myself as a true disciple of Sensei. This means not being afraid or begrudging my life.
May 15, 2026 World Tribune, pp. 24–25
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