Reconfirming Our Fundamental Mission
SGI President Daisaku Ikeda
Seikyo Times, May, 1980, No. 227, page 22-23
"Today is 22 years since my life-long teacher, Josei Toda, passed away. On behalf of his disciples, I would like to express my sincerest thanks to the 67th High Priest, Nikken Shonin, for presiding over the 23rd memorial service for Mr Toda at the Head Temple Taiseki-ji. Mr Toda contributed immensely to the prosperity of Nichiren Shoshu. He devotedly supported the successive High Priests, always resolutely protecting the Head Temple. After Mr Toda passed away, I was chosen to assume the heavy responsibility of 3rd president. The movement for Kosen Rufu has progressed exactly as Nichiren Daishonin willed. It goes without saying that Soka Gakkai owes its development so far to the power of the Dai Gohonzon and to the virtue of the successive High Priests.
However, as the Soka Gakkai continues it’s rapid expansion and development, we were obliged to concentrate more and more on dealing with the realities of society. This tendency became especially profound in recent years. As a result, various instances of disharmony occurred in the Soka Gakkai’s relations with the Priesthood, to whom as an organisation of lay believers, we should have paid the highest respect. This is truly regrettable. As the person who held the highest responsibility at the time when the problems arose, I would sincerely like to apologise where apology is due, and at the same time express my thoughts and feelings. In doing so, I believe I can show some measure of my appreciation to the successive High Priests who have enfolded us in their mercy, and I also pledge my unchanging loyalty to the 67th High Priest Nikken Shonin.
It is true that the recent troubles with the Priesthood occurred in the wake of the basic policy which the Soka Gakkai adopted for the 2nd phase of Kosen Rufu, specifically since 1972 when Sho Hondo was completed, and also as a result of guidance which I gave on that policy during 1977. Especially in 1977, in the light of the history of Buddhism and the teachings of the Gosho, I emphasised the mission lay believers should perform and the awareness they should maintain as they spread true Buddhism amid the realities of society. Through the series of guidance I gave, I created a concept of the Soka Gakkai as a lay believers organisation with an identity of it’s own in society, in order to expand their activities for Kosen Rufu. I had another desire in those days. Many nameless members had dedicated themselves single-mindedly to their mission for Kosen Rufu and died after accomplishing heroic struggles. I wanted to do something to repay their efforts. As a human being and as their comrade in faith, I fervently wished to honour them for their noble services. Because of such feelings, I sometimes outspokenly insisted that the Priesthood should not look down upon the members who strive so devotedly for the cause of Kosen Rufu or treat them as subordinates, but watch over them warmly.
I now admit that the words I uttered were too self righteous, too centred on the Soka Gakkai, and sounded as if the Soka Gakkai were primary and the Priesthood were secondary. This lead some of the Priesthood to wonder if Soka Gakkai was contemplating a split with Nichiren Shoshu. I deeply apologise for all of this. The Soka Gakkai can never exist apart from the Head Temple of Nichiren Shoshu. I must admit that I stretched too far the concept and direction set forth in my masters thesis "The History & Conviction of the Soka Gakkai”,without understanding the profound meaning he wanted to convey. I also admit that in doing so I made light of the roles of the Priests and temples of Nichiren Shoshu, creating a tendency among Soka Gakkai members to regard their own organisation as more important than the Priesthood. This can only be attributed to my conceit originating from my immature faith. From the bottom of my heart I apologise to the Dai Gohonzon.
Here I would like to reiterate my position concerningthe opinion that "the Soka Gakkai president is the original Buddha”. Needless to say that NICHIREN DAISHONIN IS THE ONE AND ONLY ORIGINAL BUDDHA OF THE LATTER DAY OF THE LAW, AND THE SUCCESSIVE HIGH PRIESTS ALONE FORM THE ORTHODOX LINEAGE THROUGH WHICH THE ENTITY OF THE LAW IS PASSED ON. THIS IS A VITAL POINT WHICH WE BELIEVERS MUST NOT FORGET, EVEN FOR A MOMENT, TO DO SO IS TO DEVIATE FROM THE CORRECT PATH OF FAITH. It is a terrible mistake to regard me as a person possessed of the three virtues of parent, teacher and sovereign, or "the supreme leader in the propagation of True Buddhism”.
You must NEVER use these expressions in referring to me. The recent instances of disharmony between the Priesthood and the Soka Gakkai are entirely due to the shortcomings of my leadership. I know this has caused many members trouble and anxiety. For this, too I deeply apologise to the Gohonzon every day. We, members of the Soka Gakkai, will base our lives on faith in the founder, and in the Gohonzon, the absolute object of worship, in the Buddhism of the Sowing which embodies the oneness of the person and the Law.
We will eternally respect the successive High Priests as our teachers in Buddhism. We are determined to dedicate ourselves more than ever to supporting the Head Temple as proud and valiant fighters for Kosen Rufu and as devoted followers of Nichiren Shoshu.I have voiced my feelings as well as my resolve for the future on the occasion of the 23rd memorial service for my master, Mr Josei Toda. I would like to conclude by offering my heartfelt prayers for your good health and for the prosperity of all your families."