“I agonized over the situation. I knew I had to prevent further suffering from being inflicted on our members and to protect them from the persecution of the priests. Mr. Toda had said that the Soka Gakkai was more precious to him than his own life. The Gakkai is an organization that follows the Buddha’s intent and decree to the latter; it is dedicated to the happiness of the people, the propagation of Buddhism and world peace. “My resolve to take all the blame upon myself and to resign the presidency gradually grew firm within me.”