Ceremony of Gratitude and Determination: Ringing the Bell of Victory towards the 100th anniversary of Soka Gakkai’s Founding 

Translated from Seikyo Shimbun Article on 24 November 2023.

 

Never forget the glorious days living alongside with Ikeda Sensei with his encouragement illuminating like the warmth of the sun. The main stage of the battle, to dedicate their victories to the mentor, has yet to begin. (Photo taken on 8 November , 2007, at the Kansai Ikeda Memorial Hall in Osaka).

Never had there been a day, we sank in so much sorrow. 

Never had there been a day, where we felt so grateful. 

‘November 18, 2023’ was the day, the news of Daisaku Ikeda’s passing was released. 

It was the day of a fresh departure for the direct disciples of Ikeda around the world to make a vow to carry out the shared struggle of mentor and disciple for eternity while in tears. 

The young Ikeda was with Toda Sensei one month before he passed away (March 1958). In March that year, the “3.16” ceremony took place, where the baton of kosen-rufu was entrusted to Ikeda Sensei.

Then, 23 November came around…

A light rain had stopped and the cool autumn sky spread across Tokyo, the headquarters of the global kosen-rufu movement where Ikeda Sensei took command until his final moment of life. 

At 1:30 pm, the solemn “Soka Gakkai Memorial Service” of Ikeda Sensei began. 

Ikeda Sensei’s photograph is projected at the altar of the Tokyo Toda Memorial Auditorium, a hall of fame for mentor and disciple. 

Portraits of the first president, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, and the second president, Josei Toda, watched over the ceremony from the back of the hall. 

They must have rejoiced at and praised the triumphant return of their beloved disciple who had struggled and triumphed. 

Ikeda Sensei proclaimed the greatness of Makiguchi Sensei and Toda Sensei to the world and caused the widespread propagation of the Mystic Law to 192 countries and regions in the five major continents. President Harada led gongyo and was joined by representative leaders to fondly recall Ikeda Sensei’s noble life of 95 years. 

After reciting the sutra, chanting daimoku and offering of incense by the representative leaders, Senior Vice President Hiromasa Ikeda gave a speech to express his gratitude. Next, Women’s Division Leader Kimiko Nagaishi and President Harada gave their speeches.  

 

On May 3, 1960, at the inauguration ceremony for President Ikeda as the third president (held at the Tokyo Nihon University Auditorium at that time), the organization began its forward march under the leadership of the 32-year-old youthful president. “May 3” continues to be the eternal day of our initial departure.

 

Thereafter, a video that marked the travels and encounters of Ikeda Sensei titled “Daisaku Ikeda Sensei, the Eternal Mentor of Kosen-rufu – 76 years of faith” was screened. 

On August 14, 76 years ago, the journey of the oneness of mentor and disciple began. The strong and warm voice of Ikeda Sensei that fondly recalled the fateful encounter with Toda Sensei reverberated across the hall. 

In ‘February Campaign’, he created a breakthrough in propagation’s expansion that led to the accomplishment of 750,000 households membership introduced to the Daishonin Buddhism, a goal set forth by Toda Sensei. In ‘Osaka Campaign’, he accomplished a monumental achievement that astounded the world, achieving the “impossible”. Young Ikeda Sensei was a lion that continued to show victorious actual proof of a disciple. 

Then, on May 3, 1960, as a representative of Toda’s direct disciple, he was inaugurated as Soka Gakkai 3rd President. A great stride towards worldwide kosen-rufu began. The series introduced Sensei who had travelled to 54 countries and regions to expand the networks of peace, culture, and education. 

He stood up to bear the brunt of obstacles and devils, putting his life at stake and leaving behind traces of his encouragement engraved in various lands.  At times, he embraced a mother for her achievements, other times he gently and humorously encouraged precious Soka school systems students and future division members. Those who attended the ceremony could not hold back their tears due to Sensei repeatedly offering compassionate guidance to the members.” 

In January 1978, in Kagawa, Mr. Ikeda warmly embraces comrades rushing towards him, arms wide open. Standing in the face of adversity, he continued to protect and defend his comrades.

As their emotions deepened, the video of Ikeda Sensei walking through the days of shared struggle with Mrs. Kaneko Ikeda and when he raises both hands to show the V-sign, flooded the hall with thunderous applause filled with profound emotion. 

The ceremony reached its climax when the video featuring Ikeda Sensei’s speech made at the Headquarters Leaders Meeting commemorating the first ‘Nov 18’ of the 21st century, held at Tokyo Toda Memorial Auditorium, was screened. This speech is depicted in the final chapter of the novel ‘The New Human Revolution’. 

In that video, President Ikeda passionately delivered his message. 

“I would like you, my young friends of the youth division, to staunchly carry on the solemn spirit of the first three Soka Gakkai presidents, who are eternally linked by the bonds of mentor and disciple. Those who do so will be the ultimate victors. This is also the fundamental path for the Soka Gakkai’s ongoing success in the 21st century.” 

The leaders who attended the ceremony nodded deeply and their eyes shone with renewed determination.

 

On November 18th, as the radiant sun broke through the darkness, illuminating the Grand Main Sanctuary on its 10th anniversary with a fiery glow.

We will be together with Sensei for eternity. The ceremony where the successors dedicate their lives to the great mentor of kosen-rufu came to a close with the disciples of Ikeda Sensei making a vows to sound the bell of victory towards the Soka Gakkai’s centennial and establish “a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide”. 

 

Source : https://www.seikyoonline.com/article/82513E73E50D53D97728FE806617DFF3

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