CategoryThe Brilliant Path of Worldwide Kosen-rufu

Chapter Summary After attending the May 3 Headquarters General Meeting, Shin’ichi Yamamoto had an informal discussion with top youth leaders. He proposed that, starting on May 3, the organization designate 1961 as the Year of Youth. In the second year of his presidency, he would focus on creating a fresh tide of kosen-rufu, centering on

Chapter Summary On July 4, 1961, Shin’ichi Yamamoto stood before the grave of his mentor, Josei Toda, and chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo three times infused with deep prayer. The previous day, July 3, was when his mentor was released from prison 16 years earlier. That same day four years prior, Shin’ichi had been arrested on unwarranted charges.

Chapter Summary On his first visit to Europe, Shin’ichi Yamamoto arrived on October 5 to his first destination, Copenhagen, Denmark. While on a bus bound for the city center, he thought of N.F.S. Grundtvig, the “father of the Danish renaissance,” and his young successor, Kristen Kold, who both worked to make higher education accessible to

This installment, published in the January 23, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, focuses on passages from Nichiren Daishonin’s writings that SGI President Ikeda discussed in volume 4 of The New Human Revolution. Passage 1 “Surely you are sowing good seeds in a field of fortune. My tears never cease to flow when I think

by SGI Vice President Hiromasa Ikeda

Chapter Summary On January 1, 1961, Shin’ichi Yamamoto wrote a waka poem that he presented to his wife, Mineko. It read: On this New Year’s morning, I pray for kosen-rufu in Asia. His next overseas trip, starting on January 28, would be an 18-day journey through Hong Kong, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), India, Burma (now

Chapter Summary After departing Hong Kong, Shin’ichi Yamamoto shared with his fellow leaders his plans to form a general chapter in Asia. Sensing everyone’s surprise, he said, “First, we have to create a vision and then think of how to go about realizing it” (The New Human Revolution, vol. 3, revised edition, p. 68). He

Chapter Summary After burying the commemorative items, the party took a second walk through the temple grounds. Seeing places related to Shakyamuni Buddha, Shin’ichi Yamamoto’s thoughts turned to the life of this great sage who illuminated humankind with the vibrant light of his being. Shakyamuni was born as a prince of the Shakyas (a small

Chapter Summary The following morning, Shin’ichi Yamamoto and his fellow leaders went to the banks of the Ganges River where they had a spontaneous and heartwarming exchange with children living under the pressing weight of poverty. Shin’ichi thought about Josei Toda’s earnest wish for the peace and prosperity of all people, and felt the weight

This installment, published in the December 19, 2018, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, focuses on passages from Nichiren Daishonin’s writings that SGI President Ikeda discussed in volume 3 of The New Human Revolution. Passage 1 “The moon moves from the west eastward, a sign of how the Buddhism of India spread in an easterly direction.