I recall as if it were yesterday what my wife said on the day I assumed the Soka Gakkai presidency. “I assume today is the funeral of the Ikeda family. Please give your life to Soka Gakkai and your fellow members.” Witnessed by 20,000 members under the bright sky, my inauguration was held at the Nihon University Auditorium. In the evening, my family shared a humble supper…

I said to my wife, “I entrust our children to you, and my hope for them to live with Soka Gakkai and share the destiny of the organisation.”

She replied, “I know exactly what you are asking. That will be the most authentic life for them.”

I continued, “Let them acquire the essence of the Soka Gakkai spirit: ‘iron will’ and ‘iron-like patience’ so as to achieve ‘iron-like victory’.”

Smiling, she nodded, “You’re right. I’ll see that they learn from the lives of President Makiguchi and President Toda.”