The Soka Gakkai once swore to 66th High Priest Nittatsu Shonin and the priesthood that it would observe fundamental issues on the study of Buddhism, as published in the Seikyo Shinbum on June 30, 1978, as it's repentence in the "1977 Deviations in Doctrine." This document was approved by Nittatsu Shonin and the priesthood on June 29th, 1978, at a nationwide guidance meeting and was published the following day. The Gakkai promised to drive home these guidelines in it's study and to it's members. President Ikeda referred to this document in the Seikyo Shinbum on April 2nd, 1980, as follows:
"We therefore reexamined our approach, and pointed out our mistaken interpretations of Gosho passages and deviations from the original meanings of doctrines in "Fundamental Questions on the Study of Buddhism," published in the Seikyo Shinbum on June 30, 1978*. The items confirmed in this article constitute an important guideline from which we must not depart under any circumstances. We must not slacken our efforts to make these points thoroughly understood by each and every member. We must also bear firmly in mind that correct study of the teachings and doctrines of Nichiren Shoshu is an essential tradition to be passed on from generation to generation. In order further to promote the movement of kosen-rufu, we must confidently continue to adapt Buddhist philosophy to our everyday lives, society and the world, based on a correct understanding of the teachings, doctrines, and traditions of Nichiren Shoshu." *The English translation appears in the world tribune, Feb. 5, 1979. (Seikyo Times, May, 1980, No. 227, page 22-23)
Exact words from the February 5, 1979, World Tribune:
"Basic Questions of Study"
"The Treasure of the Priest" "Of the Three treasures, the Treasure of the Priest in Nichiren Shoshu refers to the second High Priest Nikko Shonin and, as president Ikeda explained, to the Successivie high priests who alone carry on the heritage of Nichiren Shoshu. We must never confuse the 'Treasure of the Priest', fundamental to the doctrine of Nichiren Shoshu, with the concept of 'wagoso', or harmonous unity of believers, which belongs to the realm of faith and practice.
Moreover, we should not say, even in the broadest sense, that the Gakkai constitutes the 'Treasure of the priest.' "Direct connection to Nichiren Daishonin" "The expression 'direct connection with Nichiren Daishonin' has been used to mean fusing oneself with the Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws, which is the life of Nichiren Daishonin.
It follows as a matter of course that the direct connection to Nichiren Daishonin goes through the high priest who is the True Buddha's messenger and who alone carries on the lineage of True Buddhism. "Kechimyaku" "Kechimyaku has been translated variously as heritage, lifeblood or transmission.
There are two kinds: the Kechimyaku of the Law and the Kechimyaku of faith. Among the Gosho we find the Shoji Ichidaiji Kechimyaku Sho*. The first line of this Gosho reads, 'The ultimate law of life and death as transmitted to all living beings is Myoho Renge Kyo.' This statement is made in the specific sense (betsu) and means that Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, and the enlightened life of Nichiren Daishonin himself, is the heritage of the ultimate law of life and death.
'The Minobu Transfer Document' reads: 'Order of Kechimyaku: from Nichiren to Nikko.' As this dcocument indicates, the Kechimyaku of the Law is a specific transfer, made from Nichiren Daishonin to Nikko Shonin, and to each successive high priest of Nichiren Shoshu in accordance with the principle of transmission to a single individual.
Kechimyaku in the general sense (so) is explained further on in the Shoji Ichidaiji Kechimyaku Sho where it states, 'All disciples and believers of Nichiren Shoshu should chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo with one mind, transcending all difference among themselves to become as inseperable as fish and the water in which they swim. This spiritual bond is the basis for the universal transmission of the ultimate law of life and death.' This indicates the general Kechimyaku of faith, which takes as it's basis the specific Kechimyaku of the law.
Therefore to embrace the Gohonzon inscribed and
transmitted by the successive high priests is the correct way of faith
and becomes the basis for Kechimyaku in the more general sense.
We wish to confirm here the difference between the specific transmission
of the Law and the general lifeblood of faith."
(World Tribune, February 5, 1979, pages 8, 10)
* "Shoji Ichidaiji Kechimyaku Sho" Gosho is, in English, "Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life" MW1, pg. 21
SGI World Tribune
September 13, 1993:
"First, the Soka Gakkai is the sole body of believers actively advancing kosen-rufu in harmonous unity, thus carrying out the Budda's decree and intent to realize kosen-rufu. In this sense, the Soka Gakkai is the treasure of the priest."