THE OSAKA CAMPAIGN - NingChizuko Matsui, then a Women’s Division District Chief Early morning gongyo meetings took place at the Kansai Headquarters every day. President Ikeda cited

VALUE CREATION ♦ MARCH 2007 143

THE OSAKA CAMPAIGN

Learning from the Struggles of President Ikeda in his Youth— Part 3 of 3

(This collection of reflections, recollections and testimonials wastranslated by 41 members of the Kansai World Group and presen-ted to SGI President Daisaku Ikeda on November 18, 2003)

ONE’S LIFETIME IS AS SHORT AS A DREAM

Continue to advance further

The Osaka Campaign was filled with adventure. The source ofOsaka’s advance began with only President Ikeda’s guidance

and example. What were the crucial points of his guidance in thefirst half of the struggle?

The first point was “strong prayer”: “Let every person weencounter become a supporter for kosen-rufu and function as aprotective force. Be positive in a battle.”

The second was “a sense of responsibility”: “The momentumof the whole group is determined by the leader’s vigour, ortenacity.”

The third was “actions stemming from a sense of com-mitment”: “You’re only theoretical unless you’re serious abouttaking action.”

Now, the latter half of the battle was about to start. Whatwas the goal? A leader of those days testifies, “A good offence isthe best defence — that was the theme for the latter half of thebattle.”

After the Osaka chapter membership exceeded 9,000, theOsaka chapter leaders held a meeting on April 29 at the Kan-minCentre in Kita Ward. President Ikeda appealed to the memberspresent: “Life is like a dream. Let’s fight every single day to attain

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eternal happiness. Napoleon was able to accomplish an astoundingachievement at a young age as a result of his endeavours toconquer the whole of Europe. When we, who worship the Dai-Gohonzon, stand up with a firm resolution, there is nothing thatwe cannot accomplish, right? It’s time for us to rise with a firmresolution and fight. Let’s advance further! Let’s achieve victoryunder this war cry!”

Every district held a rally after the meeting. All themembers were astonished when they learned that 3,000 peoplehad attended the rally of Abeno District, at the Osaka CentralPublic Hall on May 2. All the members realised that greatresults could be achieved when they followed President Ikeda’sguidance.

President Ikeda then said, “Sleeping lions have justawakened.”

The members’ hearts filled with excitement

The early morning gongyo and study meetings came to be heldevery day at the Kansai Headquarters, thanks to PresidentIkeda’s extended stay in Kansai.

“Early morning gongyo and study meetings began to createa vigorous rhythm every morning. The rhythm helped localleaders or leaders on delegation to decide the actions of that daywith fresh vigour. The rhythm began to beat through the entireorganisation, and it developed into the inspirational source forthe leap of Kansai” (cf. The Human Revolution).

The late Hisako Yaoi, then a chapter standing committeemember, wrote: “You would have been surprised if you had seenhow we arrived at and departed from those meetings. Lots ofmembers gathered at the Kansai Headquarters in a flash, and leftjust as quickly. No one remained there even a few minutes afterthe meeting had finished. It was like an ebb and flow. We coulddo so because our hearts were burning with passion and full ofexcitement.”

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Chizuko Matsui, then a Women’s Division District ChiefEarly morning gongyo meetings took place at the KansaiHeadquarters every day. President Ikeda cited a passage fromthe Gosho every morning to encourage us. We were inspiredby it and joyfully dashed out for activities in our blocks andreturned to the headquarters at night.

My husband died in 1952 and I was too poor to feed myfive- and three-year-old children properly. When I went to theheadquarters, I received a warm welcome from PresidentIkeda and he told the leaders who were standing around us,“You should take good care of those who have lost theirhusbands.”

President Ikeda saw me off at the door of theheadquarters and gave me some sweets, saying, “These are foryour children. Things will definitely get better, so follow uswithout anxiety.”

I was so moved by such warm encouragement. I chanteddaimoku and did Gakkai activities seriously. On the wayhome from the headquarters at night, my fellow members andI walked chanting together. In the early morning, I finishedthe laundry and went to the headquarters. I was so busy thatI couldn’t remember when I went to bed or when I woke up.

Katsue Morimoto, then a Women’s Division Unit ChiefAs I was a nurse, I couldn’t help but worry about PresidentIkeda’s health. After the meetings his face was often flushed.The back of his jacket was sometimes soaked withperspiration. I wondered if he had high fever. I heard fromhim later that he had overcome tuberculosis by practising thisfaith. I realised he was exerting himself for the campaignwithout begrudging his life.

Packages filled with his white shirts and clothing were sentoften to President Ikeda from his wife, who was very concernedabout his health. The campaign was so intense that he had tochange a whole set of clothes every time he finished a meeting.


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Wholehearted hospitality

A women’s division district chief gave this description of thosedays: “When we arrived at the Kansai Headquarters after a wholeday of struggling, Ikeda Sensei would be waiting. He greeted us,saying, ‘Welcome back. Thank you for your efforts. You must betired.’ On hearing his words, my fatigue used to vanish instantly.And he also said things such as, ‘Your hair is messed up. Fix yourmake-up.’ I would do so and set out for the discussion meeting.”

President Ikeda worked intensely from early morning untilmidnight.

Kiyo Yamamoto, then a Women’s Division Unit ChiefI still remember Sensei’s guidance given at the morning Goshostudy meeting. Sensei’s ichinen — or determination in onesingle life-moment — was very strong: “I talk with a personanytime, anywhere, assuming that we’ll never be able to meetagain. That’s why he or she perfectly understands what Imean. The important thing is a leader’s ichinen.”

We changed our way of talking with other members onhearing this. At that time, Sensei was slender. Whenever hedanced, he put his whole heart into the dance. I often shedtears when I saw him dance. Sensei said, “It’s just a dance, butthis might be my last time to do it. I always think that way.”

I used to think “I can meet her again anytime” when Ivisited my fellow members. His attitude altered my easygoingway of thinking.

* * * * * * * * * *

LET US STAND UP WITH STRONG FAITH AGAINST EVIL!

Evil plots by those jealous for power

On the morning of May 15, six Soka Gakkai members from


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Osaka chapter were arrested by the Osaka Police Department onsuspicion of assault and battery. Newspapers that day carriedstories with the headline ‘Apprehending members using violence’and ‘Arrest warrant for six Soka Gakkai Kansai headquartersmembers’ on the top of the general news page. Some newspaperseven ran photos of the six accused members.

However, there were no such violent incidents at all. It wasobviously a plot hatched by the authorities that were envious ofthe Gakkai’s advancement. This showed their clear intention tocreate a reason to oppress the Gakkai.

Sensational reports by the mass media, irresponsible articlescontrary to the facts, gave false information on the Gakkai toordinary citizens.

“I have to be all ears to seek out every bit of information.Then I have to examine each piece, and take measures as soon aspossible” (cf. The Human Revolution).

At midnight, President Ikeda was chanting to the Gohonzonat the Kansai Headquarters. When the sun was about to rise, hespread out a large sheet of paper and wrote ‘At Lightning Speed’and started showering directions on the members.

“With lightning speed”

Akiko Kurihara, then a Young Women’s Division Corps ChiefA story titled ‘Violent Religion, the Soka Gakkai — 6arrested’ was carried in a newspaper with photos of themembers who’d been arrested.

I can’t forget the actions President Ikeda took at thattime. He spread a big piece of paper on a tatami mat of theKansai Headquarters and wrote with a brush, “Denko Sekka(Lightning Speed)” with amazing speed and energy.

Seeing that, we realised that the “battle against the evilforce of power is about to begin”. We were all burning with asense of mission. Although “this is the faith that enables us to


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become happy”, we were determined to “stand up and fightagainst evil forces” and to “fight together with Sensei”instead of just “receiving benefits”.

We read his ‘Denko Sekka’ as “to change over to theoffensive — fight, fight and fight to the very end”, and wewere all shaken up.

“If someone criticises us as ‘a violent religion’, respondlike this …”; he told us how to deal with an argument, givingconcrete examples. “Say to them, ‘Please come to ourdiscussion meetings to see whether this is true or not.’”

The response attack led to the construction of theunprecedented monument of victory.

It’s you who is frightened!

There were some new members who were swayed by the falsearticles written against the Gakkai. After the early morningGosho study meeting, President Ikeda asked the leaders of eacharea how the members were doing. One of them answered,“This incident has affected us tremendously. Some membershave left us.”

President Ikeda asked the same question of another leader;“I’m afraid there is some influence.” And he asked yet anotherleader, who answered, “The members are quite frightened.”

At that moment, President Ikeda pointed out in a clear and tensevoice. “What are you talking about? It’s you who is frightened!”

Last, he asked one more leader. The leader answered, “Youdon’t have to worry!” After hearing this, President Ikeda said,“Right. Just as the Daishonin said, ‘Nichiren’s disciples cannotaccomplish anything if they are cowardly’ (WND-1, 481). Youshould tackle problems at lightning speed.”

Etsuko Yamamoto, then a Women’s Division District ChiefWe welcomed Sensei to our discussion meeting held at akindergarten in Moriguchi City. Six or seven detectives were


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gathered around the meeting place. I was serving as a guardand yelled at them, “Did we do anything wrong? Go away!”They started to leave one by one.

One detective remained there, and Sensei started givinghis speech. In a dignified voice, he spoke bravely about thegreatness of this Buddhism. I could feel his dauntless spirit inthe face of authority. The last detective finally left as thoughhe was frightened.

There was a phone call from the police soon after that.The caller said, “You are too loud. Speak a bit softer.” Astrains were coming and going all the time justoutside the meeting place,there couldn’t have beenany complaints from theneighbours. The call wasnothing but harassment.

Sensei’s speechwas like the roarof a lion.Newcomers tothe meetingdecided to join us onthe spot, one afteranother.

11,111 HOUSEHOLDS

Signs of victory

“When great evil occurs, greatgood follows” (WND-1,1119); “Employ the strategyof the Lotus Sutra before anyother. ‘All others who bearyou enmity or malice will


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likewise be wiped out.’ These golden words will never provefalse” (WND-1, 1001). President Ikeda gave guidance to themembers with great conviction by citing such Gosho passages.These were a vital component in attaining the shakubuku resultof 11,111 new households.

Kazumi Kobayashi, then a District ChiefIkeda Sensei was absolutely determined to win. He asked me,“What’s your target in this campaign?” I was thinking aboutproducing excellent results, superior to those of otherdistinguished districts. Ikeda Sensei’s intention was widelydifferent. “What chapter are you aiming to be better than?”he asked.

I sensed Sensei’s expectation that one district couldproduce the same result as one mid-level chapter in Tokyo.

I made up my mind and I fought, saying to myself,“Take action, let’s fight,” as if I were guided by his confidentguidance. As a result, our small district achieved theshakubuku of 225 households.

Fumiko Watanabe, then a Chapter Standing Committee memberMy house was an activity centre. We removed the fusuma[Japanese traditional sliding doors] to create a large room, 20tatami-mats in size. Generally, the people who attended thediscussion meetings were poor and sick. Then Ikeda Senseiappeared.

“What’s wrong with the poor and the sick? Who didthey bother? This Gohonzon is absolutely right. All of youshould become happy with this faith,” he said.

At that time, we didn’t feel “happy” at all. We neverheard such a word as “happiness”. The members cheeredwildly with joy upon realising that they also could becomehappy.


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Kyoko Tokuno, then a studentI met Sensei for the first time in May. I was such a conceitedstudent that I was not participating in activities. Sensei said tome with great compassion, “I’m glad to see you. What areyou studying at college? What are you going to be in thefuture?” He asked me about my situation in detail.

I had never met such a senior member who had askedabout me in detail. My heart opened up and I told himeverything.

When I wrote him a letter saying that I was very happyto have had someone understand me, Sensei promptly wroteback: “In life, fame, fortune and vanity are like fireworks.There is nothing happier than attaining Buddhahood, orabsolute happiness. Please believe in eternal life and fix youreyes on the cause and effect of a 50-year life and becomeaware of accumulating fortune.”

I was so shocked, as if I were hit right on the crown ofmy head. Sensei taught me what true happiness is, and to be agenuine lady who remains unaffected by vanity.

I thought I could never face Sensei as long as my attituderemained the way it was. I decided that I had to fight in orderto see him again, and started participating in activities.

“Thank you very much for your efforts”

President Ikeda’s actions were performed with lightning speed.He wrote these words of encouragement to a women’s divisiondistrict chief: “Thank you very much for your daily efforts.Buddhism is victory or defeat. You must have strong faith so thatthe demons and the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven lurkingwithin your will be defeated. I expect that you’ll exert yourself toadvance with joy and benefits. Take good care of yourself. I hopeyou go to bed early at night and maintain a pure and steady faithlike flowing water.”


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Chizuko Okamoto, then a Chapter Standing Committee memberNot having been able to achieve results of shakubuku in mydistrict, I was worried and went to Sensei for guidance. Hedid gongyo with me, and after that turned to a person nearhim and said, “Please bring me paper and a brush.”

Then he wrote, ‘To the dear members of MinamiDistrict’ on a large piece of paper, followed by ‘CourageousFighting’ with a huge brush — immediately, at one sitting.His writing was as if he could see right through thecharacter of my husband, a district chief who lackedaspiration.

When I rushed back home with the writing, I told all thedistrict members, “Sensei wrote this for us.” Shouts of joy arose.After that we were able to achieve great results, as though ourunyielding efforts until that moment had never existed.

Application forms fall short

I asked the organisational statistics division of the Soka GakkaiHeadquarters to send 10,000 Gohonzon application forms. Thenone leader at this division said, “We sent them to you just theother day. What on earth are the members in Kansai doing withthem? You shouldn’t waste issued forms.”

One of the visiting leaders remembered this incident, saying,“It was such a great momentum.”

Iwao Murata, then a Men’s Division Group ChiefThe members in the organisational statistics division whowere encouraged by Sensei played a great role in themonumental victory of 11,111 new households.

That month I brought the results to Sensei and he said,“We’ll have 10,000 households very soon.” His words spreadto the forefront almost instantaneously, and we acceleratedour pace. “We have a little more to go to achieve 10,000.Let’s exert ourselves and go a step further.”


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Full of vitality

Members from local areas with application cards rushed into therooms of the statistics division at the Kansai Headquarters. Thenumbers had been increasing by hundreds every day. Theheadquarters was filled with heat as if it was mid-summer, eventhough it was still May. “I’ll never forget members who camerushing in with cards, their expressions full of vitality,” says aperson who was then a member of the organisational statisticsdivision.

Tadashi Murata, then Vice Chapter ChiefThe organisational statistics division compiling the growingnumber of new member-households was located on thesecond floor of the Kansai Headquarters. I waited for thereports from organisations in Kyushu, Shikoku andChugoku, and then went into the room of the statisticsdivision. I said to the person in charge, “What are the finalresults?”

He was at his desk; bending forward, he saidceremoniously, “11,111 households!” We did not know whatto say, because the joy of having exceeded our target and thecoincidental number was so overwhelming!

Tokyo can also do it

On May 31, the headquarters leaders meeting was held at theToshima Public Hall. During the meeting, the shakubuku resultsof all the chapters throughout the nation were announced. “Thefirst place goes to the Osaka chapter, which has achieved 11,111new member-households.” The nationwide senior leaders wereput to shame with the astonishing results. The thunderousapplause from the audience, filled with admiration, envy andsighs, did not die down for some time” (The HumanRevolution).


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The second president, Mr Toda, said,“What do you think of this result?Tokyo and the others were astonished.Tokyo members can also do morebecause there are many more people inTokyo” (cf. The Human Revolution).

* * * * * * * * * *

FOCUS ONENCOURAGEMENT TO MEMBERS!

Subtleties are importantin fighting

“Foster members.” The guidanceto members started again. A leaderof that time reminisces: “Senseiappealed to us to recognise thesignificance of our struggle.”

He first explained the significance of Sensei’s statement: Senseiappealed to us to recognise the significance of our struggle. “‘Whatwe were fighting for was kosen-rufu, the great undertaking for thesalvation of all people,’ he said. He told us to fulfil our mission,and to take pride in ourselves as bodhisattvas emerging from theearth. He cited the Gosho passage: ‘It is extremely rare to be bornas a human being. Not only are you endowed with human form,but you have had the rare fortune to encounter Buddhism’ (WND-1, 993). Sensei told us how happy we should be to have been bornas human beings and to have become Soka Gakkai members.

“Next, he explained our mission as bodhisattvas emergingfrom the earth, quoting a Gosho passage: ‘Were they notBodhisattvas of the Earth, they could not chant the daimoku’(WND-1, 385).


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“Finally, quoting the Gosho passage, ‘… not yet freed fromdelusion, who draw evil karma to themselves by their owncompassionate vow. If they see their father and mother have falleninto hell and are suffering greatly, they will deliberately create theappropriate karma in hopes that they too may fall into hell andshare in and take their suffering upon themselves. Thus suffering isa joy to them’ (WND-1, 243), Sensei told us the purpose of havingbecome Soka Gakkai members. He added, ‘Whatever may occur,you have wished that to happen. You should stand alone.’

“Everyone was convinced in their hearts. We stood up all atonce, chanting, ‘Let’s fight!’ Sensei said, ‘Please remember thatsubtleties are important in fighting.’”

Hirotoshi Ikeda, then a Men’s Division Group ChiefIkeda Sensei was the forerunner of home-visits in theKawachi-Keihan area, including the cities of Yao, Daito andMoriguchi. He visited about 20 households each day frommorning to night. Members of the young men’s division drovehim around all day in a car so that he could move swiftly tocover a large area. In the car, he chanted daimoku in a softvoice. He gazed out at the passing landscape, and at timesgetting information on the district and its members.

This is an anecdote from when we paid our last visit to asmall meeting in Kita Ward in Osaka. I was feeling relaxed asthe meeting was coming to an end. Then Ikeda Sensei askedme, “Can you sing ‘Kuroda-bushi’ until the second verse?” Ihad barely answered “Yes” when he stood up decisively andstarted dancing to my singing. Despite his exhaustion, he ledthe members in song and they all sang cheerfully.

I appreciated his painstaking efforts to teach us that weshould never be satisfied with our current condition, butshould exert our utmost in the fight for kosen-rufu.

Seikichi Idoguchi, then a Squad ChiefIt was my greatest pleasure to get Ikeda Sensei’s guidance,


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given at the morning gongyo meeting, through my seniormembers. My heart danced with joy and my spirit was revivedwhen I heard about his romantic adventures of kosen-rufu. Hesaid, “Be a mighty warrior to achieve the great goal of kosen-rufu!” I said to myself, “Yes, I will be such a warrior!”

At that time, I was working as a supervisor at aconstruction site but harboured the dream of becoming a jazzmusician. Every day I went to work two hours earlier thanother staff members so that I could finish my job in time toattend the evening meetings. The sweetshop owner in myneighbourhood smilingly said, “I know the time is 6:15 A.M.when I see you rushing off to work!”

At night, I went to members’ homes on my bike, checkingtheir addresses at the corner with a flashlight hanging by arope tied between one of my shoulders and my chest. Everynight for three months I visited a member who lived 30kilometres away, to teach him gongyo. I fought so hard that Iforgot about the asthma that I had always suffered from.

In May I started doing early morning gongyo with avisiting leader. By the time I finished all my activities for theday, it would be close to midnight. At night, on my worn-outfuton , I studied to become an architect, holding a flashlightin one hand. After two weeks of intense struggle, I passed thenational exam to become a second-class architect.

The commander should be in the vanguard

At morning meetings, President Ikeda gave us timely guidanceon concrete goals and actions. He said: “Those who take thequicker action will absolutely win. If you lag behind in takingaction, you won’t win any battle. When and which actionshould be taken? You should grasp the situation with your eyesbased on faith.”

On another occasion, he said, “A commander should be in thevanguard. It is the key to victory. The Daishonin said, ‘If the lord


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of a castle is strong and brave, so too are hissoldiers’” (GZ, 979).

President Ikeda taught us that allthings depended on the leader’sdetermination.

Nobuyuki Yanagihara, thena studentMy family ran a bicycleshop. One day Senseivisited our shop andasked, “Would you pleaselend me a bicycle?”

He rode to almost allthe discussion meetingson this bicycle. After hefinished his rounds forthe day, he rushed toour house riding thebicycle. His vitalityoverwhelmed me. Morethan 40 years after that, Iheard that Sensei had said,“At that time, I borrowed abicycle from Mr Yanagihara and rode across Kansai with it!”

* * * * * * * * *

ENCOURAGING ONE PERSON IS THE STARTING POINTTOWARDS VICTORY

A child who keeps a little bird is kindhearted

President Ikeda always encouraged each and every member. Theroad to victory starts from encouraging one person.


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In Thoughts on The New Human Revolution, PresidentIkeda writes:

There were times when I attended 25 or 26 meetings in asingle day, always on the move, always telling myself, “Ihave time for one more” and “I can encourage moremembers.” I was drenched with sweat, my voice washoarse from speaking, and my legs felt like cement.

While travelling from one meeting place to another, ifsomeone pointed out a member’s house to me, I wouldalways try to stop by, even if just for a minute. Whenever amember came to the Kansai Headquarters, I would alwaystry to make time to speak with him or her, even if just aword of greeting or encouragement. At times when I simplycould not stop, I would wave or acknowledge people withmy eyes, silently sending daimoku to them from my heart.

Akiko Kurihara, then a Young Women’s Division Corps ChiefSensei walked all across Kansai. He visited members’ homesand continued to encourage them.

There was a time when he met a YWD member’s motherwho didn’t practise. Sensei greeted her, saying “I’m Ikeda” ina sincere and polite manner. He said to her, “Your daughteris a sensible young woman. She is always doing her best. Youdon’t have to worry about her.”

Impressed by Sensei’s personality, the mother was verypleased, and said, “My daughter is fortunate.”

Everywhere Sensei went there was rejoicing among allthe people present. It was really “a storm of joy”.

Yoshimi Tanaka, then a Men’s Division Group ChiefI went to the Kansai Headquarters on a little errand. When Istepped into the entrance hall and was about to go upstairs, I


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encountered Sensei coming down the stairs. When Sensei sawmy face, he said, “What’s the matter with you?”

At that time I had been neglecting daimoku. As if Senseisaw through me, he said, “Chant daimoku, and your vitalpower will fill your body like the sun.” Sensei’s warmconsideration went straight to my heart.

Later, I earnestly dedicated myself to chanting daimoku,and overcame economic hardship without even realising I haddone so.

Midori Egusa, then a Women’s Division District ChiefAt one early morning meeting, it was decided that Senseiwould visit Sakai and Senshu. I was appointed to guide him. Itook him from one meeting place to another.

Finally Sensei said, “Today, this is the 24th place I’vevisited.” I was really sorry, but I had to tell him that there

was still one more place to visit. Sensei replied“Okay, let’s go.”

As soon as Sensei opened thedoor, everyone at the meetingshouted with joy. Sensei glanced ata birdcage in the backyard, andasked, “Who takes care of thosebirds?”

The lady of the house wherethe meeting was held answered,“My son does. I worry about himnot having faith.” Then Sensei

encouraged her, saying “A childwho keeps small birds iskindhearted.”

After that, her son tookfaith and contributed to kosen-

rufu.


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A person who is intent is a sensible person

One morning President Ikeda received a phone call from a men’sdivision leader who said he wanted to hold early morning gongyomeetings in his district. President Ikeda responded: “While Iappreciate your enthusiasm, you must realise that victory lieswithin the bounds of courtesy. The sound of raised voices in theearly morning will be a nuisance to the neighbourhood. Commonsense itself is representative of faith.”

Hisao Masuda, then a Men’s Division memberAt a guidance meeting President Ikeda asked, “Are there anyquestions?” I was the first one to raise my hand. At the time,my transport company had gone bankrupt and I was in thedepths of poverty. I explained my situation and asked what Ishould do.

Referring to the decorative flower on the table in frontof him, President Ikeda remarked: “Take this beautiful flower,for instance. Does it bloom, thinking it wants to be seen bypeople? No, it doesn’t. Its mission is simply to bloombeautifully. Even in the depths of poverty, regardless of whatothers may think, you are important. You have a mission.What matters is for you to bloom beautifully. Say to yourself,‘It does not matter whether people look at me or not, but Iwill bloom. This is the spirit I must have.’”

From that point on, I put everything I had into Gakkaiactivities. Because I was without money, I had to walk twohours to the central meeting place. I later bought an oldbicycle — if I rode too fast, the tyres would burst.

I once received this guidance from President Ikeda atthe Kansai Headquarters: “Apply yourself to faith with thespirit of permeating your entire being with the Mystic Law.Doing so will enable you to develop a life-condition ofindomitability, capable of dealing with whatever mayhappen.”


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President Ikeda was always chanting daimoku. I thenmade a determination to chant 10,000 daimoku a day withthe conviction that I would never again face poverty. Threeyears later I was able to buy a car, and from then on myeconomic revolution took off.

Chant one million daimoku without fail — that is whatwas engraved in my life during the Osaka Campaign.

* * * * * * * * * *

WRITTEN MESSAGES OF ENCOURAGEMENT

‘Great Struggle’ written in bold, beautiful brush strokes

President Ikeda, even after making the rounds of the local meetingplaces, always sent postcards, letters or poems to members, tocontinuously encourage them, writing:

“Buddhism is about winning. Those who will advanceuntil the very end will finally triumph.”

“Let me pen you a poem commemorating our encounter:

Dedicating the passionWelling up in your youthful body,Struggle and endeavourIn the battle of kosen-rufu

“Final victory hinges on nothing but the unity and hand-to-hand struggles of the women’s division members.Hoping for all the more efforts.”

Everywhere he went, President Ikeda wrote pieces of calligraphyfor his fellow members in response to their requests. He was


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determined to do anything that would please his friends. Thatwas his spirit.

Fumiko Watanabe, then a Chapter Standing Committee memberSensei’s brush strokes were dynamic. Since there was no tablebig enough to spread out a large sheet of paper in the KansaiHeadquarters back then, Sensei wrote while kneeling ontatami mats. I prepared black ink beside him.

After finishing the calligraphy for all the district leadersthere, Sensei said, “I am going to write one for you, MsWatanabe.” He gave me the words ‘Great Struggle’ written inbold, beautiful brush strokes.

Subsequently, I also received a letter of encouragement.It said: “‘In spring the blossoms open, in autumn the fruitappears. Summer is hot, winter is cold. The season makes itso, does it not?’ (WND-1, 736). You should consider thatbeing able to exert yourself in this struggle means beingqualified to receive great benefits. I really hope that you willgive thorough and detailed guidance to your members. Takegood care of your health.”


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Filled with courage, I walked to the activities. I willnever forget how my rubber shoes were worn out and bentinto a crescent shape.

Kenichi Fukuo, then five years oldMy parents were caretakers at the Kansai Headquarters. It wasJune. In a crowd in front of the Kansai Headquarters, I recogniseda leader who was about to leave in a car with my father.

I innocently chased the car, trying to get in. “Watch out!”yelled an observer. Astonished by the shouts of people aroundme, I quickly ran into the hall of the headquarters. My mother,very embarrassed, ran after me to scold me. But before shecould catch me, somebody else picked me up and held me in hisarms. It was Sensei.

I later heard that Sensei told my mother: “Scolding is notgood in a moment like this. Embrace him like this.” Touchedby such warm consideration, my mother cried even thoughthere were many people around her.

I have another anecdote. My father delivered a report toSensei, and Sensei kindly wrote this message for my father onhis own folding fan: “Debts of gratitude to the mentor areloftier than mountains and deeper than the ocean. Friendshipbetween fellow members is like moonlight, being beautiful andimperishable.”

My father was so overjoyed and overwhelmed, he beganto jump up and down at the headquarters.

Treasure your work and your wife

A district leader, Tomio Okamoto, was exerting himself inGakkai activities but his activities were not producing anyresults. He was neglecting his work and family and, boggeddown by his busy schedule, he didn’t even notice that he was insuch a desperate situation. At this time, he received a letter fromPresident Ikeda.


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The letter said, “The great fight of this century is for theMystic Law. Please take a brilliant lead as a great soldier. Pleasetreasure your work and your wife.”

He was taken aback. It reminded him of the SecondPresident Toda’s guidance — “How is your work?” “There areno problems. I entrusted it to others.” “You shouldn’t leave yourwork to others. Work is a part of practising faith. You have totake responsibility for it yourself.”

That night he apologised to his family for his behaviour andpinned a large piece of paper on a wall in his house, pledging toachieve his human revolution. On the paper was written thismessage: “We, the Okamoto family, have been saved andfostered by the Soka Gakkai. We will never forget this debt ofgratitude.”

Mina Ueda, then a Young Women’s Division Group ChiefIt was a very hot and muggy night in June. When I camehome, I saw I had received a postcard from President Ikeda,with this message: “‘A strong determination can pierce arock.’ You shouldn’t forget a strong and spontaneous faith,which can change your karma and unfold your life, no matterwhat. Whether you have won or lost is determined at the lastmoment of your life. Therefore, you must know that thestruggle in everyday activities is the source for accumulatinggood fortune. Especially in this campaign, please don’t forgetsincerity, kindness and a smile when you lead members orgive them guidance. I pray for your great achievement.”

After I lost my parents, I had moved to Osaka from distantOtaru, and become a hairdresser. I had suffered from a chestdisease and spent seven years in a sanatorium. I joined the SokaGakkai in the seventh year of my hospitalisation. Just after Iwas discharged from the sanatorium, I received this postcard.

Sensei was worrying even about me in such a situation.Tears were flowing from my eyes as I followed the words, oneby one, on the postcard.


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“I’m going to answer to Sensei’s expectations — to theperson who knows everything about me — and definitely winand become happy.” The prayer for my own happiness fusedinto my prayers for kosen-rufu.

Day-and-night struggle

At the Kansai Headquarters, President Ikeda came across apregnant women’s division district chief. President Ikeda said toher, “Please take care of yourself.”

Several days later, the women’s division district chiefreceived a postcard: “Thank you so much for your day-and-nightstruggle for the campaign even though you are pregnant. Let’sachieve victory and report to the Gohonzon. Please stay in goodhealth.”

President Ikeda always concentrated on encouraging even“one person” from the bottom of his heart.

Hiroko Nishimura, then a Women’s Division memberPresident Ikeda came to the meeting place escorted by myhusband. The wife of the host asked Ikeda Sensei to pen somewords, holding out a piece of paper and a brush. PresidentIkeda wrote with a brush, “Like water”, and then he added“Dear Group Chief”.

Suddenly she said, “Sensei, my husband is not a groupchief. He is a unit1 chief.”

President Ikeda replied with a smile, “I can’t win over theunit chief, can I? This ‘water’ doesn’t mean water that flowsslowly. When water hits some rocks, rises over the rocks andkeeps flowing … I mean the kind of water that flowsdynamically.”

The meeting place was quiet, with only five people.President Ikeda said, “Nichiren Daishonin said, ‘… although


1 A unit is smaller than a group

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Nichiren and his followers are few, because they aredifferent in body, but united in mind, they will definitelyaccomplish their great mission of widely propagating theLotus Sutra’ (WND-1, 618). Although our supporters arefew, if we keep chanting to the Gohonzon, we willdefinitely achieve a great victory.” When he was leaving, he said, “Now, summon up your courage!” From the next day, everyone started to contribute to the campaign inour area.

“To become a fully-committed person”

President Ikeda said, “I’m going back to Tokyo on urgent business,”and the visiting leaders told him, “Please be rest assured ...”

They all relaxed at the Kansai Headquarters for a while,deciding that they could take a rest because President Ikeda hadreturned to Tokyo. Suddenly the door opened and President Ikedacame back; there had been a sudden change of plans. Seeing theleaders’ attitude, he said: “‘Same Birth and Same Name arelooking at everything, even if no one else is looking at you. Faithis not trying to look good, but exerting yourselves steadily behindthe scenes. ‘Where there is unseen virtue, there will be visiblereward’ (WND-1, 907). Faith means unseen virtue.”

All of them expressed regret and reflected seriously onthemselves, and transformed themselves into “fully-committedindividuals”, moved by President Ikeda’s strong inner determination.

* * * * * * * * * *

‘STILLNESS IN MOVEMENT’

Listen to music

The campaign drew closer. All youth division leaders were in ahurry to reach their base of activities, but President Ikeda told


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them, “Please wait. Go after listening to arecord.”

They thought, “What is this for?Everyone is waiting for us at thecentral meeting place.”

President Ikeda coaxed them:“The expression in your eyes haschanged as you all rush pell-mellto your meeting places. You need

‘Stillness in Movements’.” They listened to ‘Kojo No

Tsuki’ (The Moon over the CastleRuins). While listening, they developeda sense of space in their hearts.

“Now, I’ll see you off.” PresidentIkeda then sent them off to their centralmeeting places.

Setsuko Umemoto, then a Chapter Standing Committee memberOnce we climbed to the top of Osaka Castle. President Ikedasaid, “Sometimes you should view the future of kosen-rufuwith a broad mind, from a high place like this. What wouldyou do if you got exhausted?”

“I would take a nap, of course,” I replied innocently.Then he said to me, “Taking a nap is one way, but I

suggest that you listen to an excellent piece of music. If you listento the music of Wolfgang A. Mozart, Ludwig Van Beethovenand so on, you will recover from your mental fatigue.”

Masuko Mineyama, then a Young Women’s Division Vice Corps ChiefPresident Ikeda had been visiting members to encourage them.Suddenly he got out of his car, looked up at the night sky,and said, “What a beautiful moon.” Until then I hadn’t even


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realised where the moon was, I was obsessed with thinkingabout the next step of our programme. I was touched by hisattitude of ‘Stillness in Movement’.

* * * * * * * * * *

ONE STRIDE OF A HUNDRED PEOPLE IS MOREVALUABLE THAN A HUNDRED STRIDES OF ONE PERSON

Salmon skewered on a bamboo

During the campaign, President Ikeda had discussions witheach member and asked about their lives. One of the youthdivision leaders at that time said: “Sensei asked me about myfriends. As he asked one question after another, I becameunable to answer them. I realised that I didn’t know that muchabout my friends.

“Sensei told us an old tale about a brown bear that carriessalmon skewered on a bamboo stick. In autumn, the bear catchessalmon coming up-river, eats until it is satiated, then skewers theleft-over salmon and carries them on its shoulder. But as it walksalong, the bear drops salmon in its wake.

“Sensei said, ‘Even if you skewer salmons on a bamboo stick,it’s meaningless if they keep dropping off. “A hundred strides byone person” are likely to end up as those left-over salmonskewered on a stick. That’s why just one stride of a hundredpeople is more valuable than a hundred strides of one person.’

“And what can be done to prevent the salmon from fallingoff? ‘Pray by remembering the name of each person.’ Thus Senseitold us the importance of having strong determination to careabout each person.”

Setsuko Umemoto, then a Chapter Standing Committee memberNo one cared more about each individual than Sensei. Senseirode a bicycle to visit and encourage the members. He used


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three bicycles one after the other as each bicycle broke downduring the Osaka Campaign.

One time, Sensei was resting after visiting six meetingplaces. One of the members who was good at massaging triedto take the stiffness out of Sensei’s shoulders, but they provedtoo stiff to relieve.

Faith like clear water

President Ikeda gave guidance about a leader’s attitude.“Leaders must be sensitive. Being sensitive to everything isanother word that describes ‘faith’. As Nichiren Daishoninstates in the Gosho, ‘When water is clear, the moon is reflected.When the wind blows, the trees shake. Our minds are like thewater. Faith that is weak is like muddy water, while faith thatis brave is like clear water’ (WND-1, 1079). The moon is notreflected in muddy water. When your faith is clear, you will besensitive.”

* * * * * * * * * *

THE LAST MOMENT IS CRUCIAL IN STRUGGLE

We have remained alive for this moment

President Ikeda gave us guidance: “The last moment is crucial instruggle. Even if you have tried very hard up to this point, if youallow your spirit to slacken, everything will have been in vain:‘This is where you will cross the Uji River. This is where you willford the Seta. This will determine whether you win honour ordisgrace your name’” (WND-1, 829).

“What is important is when you are in the last ‘spurt’, orwhen you finally cross the bridge of Seta: ‘The reason that youhave survived until now when so many have died was so that youwould meet with this affair’” (Ibid.).


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Fusae Fukuzumi, then a Women’s Division District ChiefWhen I had heard that President Ikeda would visit our district,I rushed to the district meeting place. When he saw me, heasked me if I was the wife of the district chief. I replied, “I amFukuzumi and I am the women’s district chief of this district,and have lost my husband.”

Right after that he tapped his knee. He recalled that sixmonths ago he had encouraged me — I had five children totake care of — by saying, “Don’t cry. I know it hurts, but youshould remember that you are the happiest person no matterwhat happens to you, because you were able to meet theGohonzon.”

He told me with joy, “Now you really look good. I cantell that you have been determined. You have changed. Youreally have changed. I had really worried about you. I trulyfelt pain for you.”

A few days later, President Ikeda wrote to me, quoting aGosho passage: “… sacrificing your life for the Lotus Sutra islike exchanging rocks for gold or dung for rice” (WND,764). I cried holding his letter. I became even moredetermined to devote myself to kosen-rufu and to transformmy karma.

To live up to my mentor’s expectations

In Thoughts on The New Human Revolution, President Ikedawrites: “I set out on the campaign with single-minded devotion,risking my whole self for the sake of the fellow members. Fromearly morning until late at night, I exerted my utmost to visit andencourage the members throughout Osaka City.”

On June 28, the Kansai Women’s Division General Meetingwas held at the Osaka Central Public Hall. In his address,President Ikeda called on the members to act on their beliefs withunwavering commitment: “Please carry through with yourpractice while becoming a fine citizen so that people throughout


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Osaka will like you. Let us apply ourselves to Buddhist practiceas gracefully as blooming flowers.”

Teruji Kotani, then a Men’s Division Unit ChiefI can never forget what Sensei told us in the drawing room ofthe third floor of the Kansai Headquarters. He said,“President Toda said he would look after the affairs of theKansai members if they ever collapsed. What could give usmore pleasure than to hear these words? Let us strive furtherwith renewed determination!”

I thought that what President Toda meant by this remarkwas that he would take full responsibility until the lastmoment. It was then that I realised that Sensei shared thesame determination as President Toda for Kansai. I said tomyself, “Our mentor is watching us struggle. We are sofortunate.” My whole body trembled with joy and I dashedout of the room to engage in activities.

Mina Ueda, then a Young Women’s Division Group ChiefIt was around the beginning of July. Sensei gave me a foldingfan on which was written this message: “The day of great joyis approaching. I count on your noble leadership in the finaldays.”

Kenichi Fukuo, then five years oldWhile people in the Kansai Headquarters were overjoyed atthe news of the great victory in the Osaka Campaign,Sensei was preparing to leave. My father, then headquarterscaretaker, approached Sensei and thanked him for his longstay and the leadership he exerted throughout thecampaign.

Sensei said, “Thank you for everything over such alengthy period of time. Everyone looks so delighted. I’mhappy to see that. In the Russo-Japanese war, General Nogimade his name at the cost of thousands of lives. I, however,


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rather than desiring to attain fame for myself, only hope thatall the Kansai members, without exception, will becomehappy.”

Uttering these words, Sensei departed from Osaka.

(Translated from the January and February 2003 issues ofDaibyakurenge)


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Documents

THE OSAKA CAMPAIGN - NingChizuko Matsui, then a Women’s Division District Chief Early morning gongyo meetings took place at the Kansai Headquarters every day. President Ikeda cited