On Aug. 14, 1947, Daisaku Ikeda, at just 19 years old, attended his first Soka Gakkai discussion meeting, encountering the man who would become his mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda. Just 10 days later, on Aug. 24, the young Daisaku took up faith in Nichiren Buddhism and became a member of the Soka Gakkai.
The significance of this day is not limited to commemorating Ikeda Sensei’s first discussion meeting—it is also the anniversary of another significant event that took place three years later. At the conclusion of a study lecture, the then-Soka Gakkai General Director Josei Toda announced his resignation from his position—a decision he made to shield the organization from his business troubles.
Sensei recounts the event in The New Human Revolution, where he appears as Shin’ichi Yamamoto:
Shin’ichi could not hide how shaken he was by this. He worried about what would happen to the Soka Gakkai and kosen-rufu. He asked Mr. Toda whether the new general director would become his mentor. Mr. Toda replied decisively: “No. Though I may cause you nothing but hardship, I will always be your mentor.”
Shin’ichi really wanted to confirm this statement with his whole being. He was filled with indescribable joy over this affirmation that he was indeed Mr. Toda’s disciple.[1]
Thus, on Aug. 24, 1950, Daisaku Ikeda affirmed his commitment to dedicate his life to the eternal path of mentor-disciple as Josei Toda’s disciple, embarking on his lifelong journey to realize Nichiren Daishonin’s ideal of “establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land” and the goal of worldwide kosen-rufu.
On June 5, 1976, Aug. 24 was designated as Soka Gakkai Men’s Division Day. The month of August has since become a time for all men’s division members to renew the vow they share with their mentor and advance kosen-rufu where they stand.
Sensei says:
Men’s division members are strong. They are the golden pillars of their families, society and the Soka Gakkai. And the effort of men’s division members is a decisive factor in the struggle for the victory of kosen-rufu. That’s why Shin’ichi completely agreed with the proposal from the men’s division to make Aug. 24 Men’s Division Day.[2]
With the significance of this date in mind, this August offers a great opportunity for all SGI-USA members to join the #SummerChallenge—a 100-day effort to create as many opportunities as possible for young people to encounter Buddhism while striving for personal breakthroughs. Whether through a heartfelt dialogue with a friend, an invitation to a discussion meeting or introducing someone to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, every effort contributes to kosen-rufu and our own human revolution.
In that spirit, what better way for men’s division members to commemorate Aug. 24 than by embracing the #SummerChallenge.
Click here for the Summer Challenge app where you can set goals and track your daily efforts.
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