Mr. Toda promised his own mentor, Mr. Makiguchi, that he would struggle by his side to defend their shared principles, even if it meant giving his own life. Mr. Makiguchi staunchly refused to accept the Shinto talisman that the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood, at the behest of the militarist government, tried to force on him and all Gakkai members. As the mentor, Mr. Makiguchi chose to offer his life for his beliefs. And his disciple, Mr. Toda, was fully prepared to likewise give his life. We must never forget that the eternal foundation of the Soka Gakkai was built on this noble shared struggle of mentor and disciple.​