E131: NHR V9 - A New Era 2/4

0:00Hello, my lovely Buddhas. Welcome to another reading of the new human revolution volume 9, chapter a new era. And today we will read from page 30 to page 50, so let's begin. The members also held one hour go show study sessions every morning and afternoon. They studied letter to the brothers, demonstration with Bodhisattva Hachiman, the treatment of illness and other writings in succession. The Argentina sailed north through the Atlantic Ocean, crossed the Caribbean and on March 11 passed through the Panama Canal into the Pacific Ocean. It arrived in Los Angeles on March 19. There, the Brazilian members contacted their Los Angeles counterparts and a joint discussion meeting was held award the ship. 25 local members participated. After more than 20 days at sea, the Brazilian members were overjoyed to see these new faces. It was their first encounter, but as they firmly shook each other's hands, they felt as if they were greeting close relatives,

1:04and they soon opened their hearts to one another. The Brazilian members' exhaustion from the long trip evaporated and their spirits were revived. At the meeting, the members shared their personal experiences and faith and their determinations. Then they all sang the song of worldwide Khosun Drufu. The Brazilian members had learned the song while at sea. As they sang, each had a profound and immediate sense that the age of the great voyage of Khosun Drufu had indeed begun, realizing that they were in the forefront of that endeavour filled them with pride and joy. The joint discussion meeting lasted nearly two hours, and the Brazilian members would tremendously energised. They embraced their LA friends and exchanged words of encouragement as they parted, saying, stay well, let's meet again. From Los Angeles, the Argentina-Traveled North, making a brief stop in San Francisco. It then set sail across the Pacific, heading for Japan. The members had all suffered from sea sickness on the first leg of their journey, but the seas grew even rougher as they began their

2:07Pacific crossing. The ship robbed and tossed so violently that for several days it was impossible to keep dishes on the table or even stay seated at mealtimes. Outside, rain beat down mercilessly on the deck and breakers snapped ferociously at the ship. Members fell ill one after another. Business in nausea made it difficult for them to get out of bed. Almost no one could eat. At one point, only two of the 13 of them could manage to get up and do gongyo. Unavoidably, the Ghoshos study sessions and the discussion meetings had to be cancelled for several days. One day, Manzo Koyama, the group's leader, was sitting up against a wall of the tossing ship. Suddenly, he remarked almost in a whisper. This voyage is like Kosun Rufu. There are calm pleasant days and rough, stormy days. But all we can do is continue surmounting the surging waves and press onwards. In a sense, President

3:08Yamamoto is like the captain of the ship of Kosun Rufu, leading the way energetically through the raging seas. These words made everyone stop and think. When the rocking of the ship had subsided a bit, one member, a middle aged man, made a suggestion. Mr. Koyama, let's hold a discussion meeting. It will be a shame if we arrive in Japan having spent the entire trip in bed, no matter how badly the ship was heaving. A woman's division member then chimed in, as if she had been waiting for someone to say just that. I agree. And how about putting up a photograph of President Yamamoto while we conduct our meeting? That's a great idea, Koyama said. If we feel like Sensei is participating in the meeting with us, our spirits will rise even higher. The ship was still tossing quite severely, but as the meeting proceeded, the members began excitedly sharing their determinations. These shipboat discussion meetings attracted the attention of the other passengers. At first,

4:10some of them had regarded with suspicion this group that recited sutras morning and evening, and assembled to sing unfamiliar songs. And many looked on disapprovingly when they learned that this was a group of Sokogakai members. They had heard that the Sokogakai was a violent religion and a gathering of the poor and ill. But as the days went by and the other passengers came into contact with the members cheerful and considerate manner, they began to have friendly feelings towards them. In addition, they noticed that the members' discussion meetings always seemed to be filled with bright laughter and to have a harmonious atmosphere. As a result, the other passengers gradually developed a strong interest in the Sokogakai. Soon, each discussion meeting had two or three guests, some of whom later joined the Gakai. The Goshro study meetings also continued, and at the end of the trip, a study exam was held aboard the ship. Learning that the members of the South American General Chapter had left the port of Santos on February 25th, Shinichi Yamamoto earnestly chanted Daimo Kuu every morning

5:13and evening for their health and safe passage. When Shinichi heard that the South American members would arrive at the port of Yokohama on the morning of April 5th, he arranged for them to be given the warmest of welcomes. In the early dawn of that morning, the Argentina sat anchor offshore waiting to enter Yokohama harbor. It was scheduled to dock at 9.30am. The members on board were so excited about finally arriving in Japan that they had been unable to sleep. When day broke, they went out on deck one after another and gazed at Japan for the first time in a long time. By 7am, they were all outside. Around 7.30, a motorboat headed out from the harbor towards the ship, kicking up waves as it went. It stopped below the Soka Gokai South American General Chapter banner, the members were holding a loft, and the three men in the boat began waving their hands and calling out to the members on board. You are the Gokai members, right? Welcome! The men in the motorboat were Soka Gokai directors.

6:16Moved that these leaders had come all the way out to see to greet them, the members wave back and swung their banner to and fro. Their tears of joy clouded the side of the small boat below. At 9.40am, the Argentina docked. All of a sudden, the song of World Wide Course in Rufu echoed from the pier. It was a chorus of 300 local Yokohama members who had been waiting to welcome the ship. Once again, tears filled the eyes of the South American members standing on deck. Wiping their eyes, the sang along at the top of their lungs with their friends on the pier. The exhaustion of the long journey disappeared, and the members' spirits rose instantly. In response to this warm welcome, the group's leader Manzo Koyama said a few words from the deck. Thank you so much for this wonderful welcome. We 13 members of South America General Chapter have come to Japan in high spirits. Each of us has finally managed to lay a foundation for our lives in South America, and it has not been easy for any of us. We have traveled some 40 days now.

7:19eagerly looking forward to arriving in Japan and meeting President Yamamoto. It was difficult for us to raise the money for our passage. It was hard to take the time off from work, and the sea sickness was not fun. But your sincere and warm welcome has given us strength and tremendous joy. Manzo Koyama became choked with emotion as he spoke. Wiping his tears, he took a deep breath and continued in a powerful voice. I am overcome with joy at being back in Japan, and the warm welcome we have received from you are fellow members. We are determined to learn everything we can about faith from you, while we are here, to realize incredible growth, and to stir up a groundswell, of course, in Rufu, when we return to South America. Thank you for your support. A pause erupted from the pier. Tears also shown in the eyes of the local members who had come to welcome the travelers. Members on the ship and on the pier waved to each other and called out words of encouragement. It was a beautiful display of shared feeling.

8:19Shinichi Yamamoto greeted the American members on their arrival at the Grand Lecture Hall of the Head Temple. Thank you for traveling such a long distance to be here. Shinichi extended his hand and gave each of them a firm handshake. It's been a while. I'm happy to see you looking so well. Shinichi had met many of them on his previous trip to Brazil, and he had a clear memory of each and everyone. When he saw Koyama, he warmly patted him on the shoulders several times and said, it's been a long time. Thank you for going through such trouble to be here. Will you be all right having taken so much time off from work? Yes, Koyama replied. My sons are working very hard, so everything will be fine. When you get back, Shinichi remarked, please give them my best regards. He then said to everyone, your efforts to travel all this way to Japan, burning with the seeking spirit have planted seeds of happiness in your lives and will enable you to deepen your faith. And the fact that so many of you managed to come here means that a supreme cause has been made for the wonderful development of the Sokagokai in Brazil. You will become a model for global

9:24Khosundrufu in the future. But in the process of realizing Khosundrufu, there will definitely be obstacles. It is a series of bitter struggles. Only by surmounting these difficulties can we make great strides towards happiness and progress. Therefore, no matter what happens, I hope you will never give up your faith or leave the Sokagokai. I promise I will visit Brazil again. By that time, I hope your lives will be overflowing with happiness and good fortune. The South American members had endured all manners of hardships and traveled an incredible distance over off seas all the while picturing this day, this moment in their minds. Hot tears filled their eyes as they shook hands with Shinichi. Between joyful sobs, one woman said, Sensei, I earned the money to come to Japan by growing flowers and selling them on the street. You have worked so hard, Shinichi said. It must have been very difficult. But the fact

10:24that you made it here is proof of your victory. You won. You will absolutely become happy. Please come back to Japan in 10 years. Shinichi encouraged these South American members with his entire being, striving to instill deep strong faith in their hearts. True encouragement means transforming another person's way of thinking and awakening fresh resolve in them. On April 9, after the service commemorating the seventh memorial of President Oda's death, Shinichi flew to Kyushu. He participated in ceremonies marking the completion of three new Sokagagai Community Centers, the Miyazaki Community Center on April 9, the Oita Community Center on the 10th, and the Kita Kyushu Community Center on the 11th. Then on April 12, he attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Kyushu Regions headquarters. With the tremendous growth in membership that accompanied the advance of Koshundru for in Japan, there was an urgent need for new community centers, which served as the base of local activities.

11:25Compared to the number of temples belonging to other schools of Buddhism, the Sokagagai had relatively few facilities of its own. For example, the Soto School of Zen Buddhism, which approximately 6.7 million members, had 14,809 temples, and the Hong-Gangji branch of the True Pure Land School, with about 6 million members, had 10,563 temples. In contrast, when the Sokagagai had reached a membership of 4 million, it had only 40 community centers, and Nitran Shoshu had only 240 temples, including those at the head temple. Since becoming president, Shinichi had been aware of the need for more community centers throughout Japan, but at his first priority had been the completion of the Grand Reception All. He had held off on purchasing or constructing them. Now the time had come to start building such centers. The Miyazaki, Oita, and Kita Kyushu Community Centers were all previously existing buildings that the Sokagagai had purchased, but still they were quite small.

12:30Shinichi attended the ceremonies marking the opening of each community center with the determination that in the future he would build grand centers across Japan that would sufficiently satisfy the members' needs. And he continued to encourage his precious fellow members with all his might. The 27th Headquarters General Meeting was held at the Nihon University Auditorium in Ryo Goku, Tokyo, on May 3rd, 1964. It was the general meeting marking the start of the essential phase. Sub-600 overseas members were also in attendance. The meeting commenced just before 9am, beginning with a brief opening address, followed by a report on overseas activities. Next was an announcement of new leadership appointments. Chui Yamadaira and five others were made wise general directors in addition to 24 new directors. A progress report came next, and after remarks from the general director, President Shinichi Yamamoto took the podium. Shinichi bowed deeply to the audience amid thunders applause. Everyone waited expectantly for him to

13:33begin. His clear voice reverberated through the Auditorium. We have at long last commemorated the completion of the grand reception hall and the 7th memorial of Mr. Toda's death. I am profoundly grateful to be able to gather here today with all of you who are brimming with the strong conviction to celebrate the 27th Headquarters General Meeting. Due to your unstinting faith and your passionate efforts to work for the happiness of others, our activities in the four years since I became president have been crowned with an uninterrupted series of victories. Thank you very much. Let us make today the kick off towards our next goal of seven years, the first stage in putting the finishing touches on Kousen Rufu. And let's wow together that with renewed courage, hope and wisdom, we will realize a grand history of glorious triumph. The Auditorium shook with longer applause. Shinichi resumed his speech. The general outline of our activities for the next seven years has been discussed at the recent meetings of the Board of Vice-General Directors and I would like to share it with you today.

14:38Our first goal is to build a show hondo and donate it to the head temple. President Toda said that after the completion of the grand reception hall, our next project should be to build a marvelous edifice using the greatest architectural technology in the world that will house the Dai Gohanzon, the object of devotion inscribed for all humanity. As a symbol of our wish for lasting peace, I would like to assemble stones from all over Japan and the world and bury them in the building's foundation. I would also like to add on the building with precious materials from each of the five continents and make it large enough to hold 5,000 people. Towards this end, I propose we hold a special contributions campaign for four or five days next year around October 12. Shinichi Yamamoto continued. All contributions to this project should of course come from one's sincerity and faith. Let us therefore not degrade the Dai Gohanzon by accepting offerings from those who lack real faith. Do you agree with this proposal

15:39to raise funds for building the show hondo? The members responded with a resounding yes and a tumult of applause. Since all here are agreed, let us regard this matter as decided. I know that the contributions campaign will require great efforts from all of here and I thank you for your cooperation. The construction of the show hondo will be the last project we will carry out on the grounds of the head temple in preparation for the realization of Kosenrufu. I would also like to take this opportunity to announce that this will be our final offering to the head temple as a whole. Shinichi took out a handkerchief and wiped his brow. Then he proceeded. Our second goal is to increase our membership to six million households in the next seven years. Some of you may be thinking that since our present membership is already 4.3 million households, this is an easy target. You may even be wondering if, in fact, it isn't too easy. But I won't avoid overexertion at all

16:40because there must be no accidents in our activities to introduce Buddhism to others. The point is to foster an alliance of like-minded friends who have emerged from the earth, each of whom will become a wonderful capable leader of the people. This requires that older leaders make sincere efforts to look after the younger members and help them grow while at the same time caring for and supporting our new members. Instead of pushing ahead unreasonably towards the organization's development, it is important that we conduct our activities as a sure and steady pace. At present, with 4.3 million member households, we have more than 10 million members and of them nearly 2 million hold leadership positions. If each of those leaders alone introduce this Buddhism to just one family in the next seven years, we will easily attain our goal of six million. When we have reached that goal and finished the construction of the showhondo, I propose that we hold another gender pilgrimage to the head temple. What do you think? Shinichi Yamamoto then announced the third goal for the next seven years, a construction of a

17:43Sokaka culture center in Shinano Machi, the location of Sokaka Gagai headquarters that would serve as a great citadel in the creation of a third civilization. Shinichi also announced a plan to establish Sokaka Gagai facilities locally over the next few years, setting up several new centers in major cities and at least one in each prefecture. The members who had gathered from all across Japan listened in astonishment to Shinichi's announcement. They had never dreamed of this possibility. They were overwhelmed with joy and emotion as they saw the grand vision of Koso Dufu unfolding below before their eyes. Shinichi continued. Our fourth goal is to advance the Komae political federation one step further. Up to now, the politics department has been a division of the Sokaka Gagai's culture bureau and the Komae political federation officials have been members of that department. But because the Sokaka Gagai is a religious organization, the activities of the politics department has been limited on the national level to the House of Counselors, where our representatives have kept watch over the government's activities. However, political groups

18:47have their own methods of procedure, though the Sokaka Gagai and the Komae political federation share the same fundamental aim of realizing world peace and bringing happiness to the people based on Buddhist compassion, ultimately religion and politics operate in different spheres. For that reason, I propose that the political department be dissolved and the Komae political federation take an end to end and path. The federation is free to form its own political party or to send people into the House of Representatives if it wants. Whatever it does, I hope it will work in earnest to respond to the times and the needs of the people and to bring peace and prosperity to society. Shinichi then asked the audience whether they agreed to the proposal concerning the future of the Komae political federation. They expressed their approval with a hearty round of applause. Clarifying the Sokaka Gagai's position in this matter, Shinichi added, being a religious organization through and through, the Sokaka Gagai will continue its efforts to share nature and Buddhism with people across the globe. It will also, as a supporting and recommending body of

19:47the Komae political federation, keep an eye on the federation's activities. This was the Sokaka Gagai's declaration of the separation of religion and politics. The federation would certainly require assistance until it became completely independent. But Shinichi had made clear the Sokaka Gagai's stance on the relationship between religion and the government for the sake of the future. Shinichi continued, in the past decade, many of our fellow members who entered the political arena have devoted themselves to working for the sake of the people and studying hard, thus developing into first-rate political leaders. Recently, based on their political experience, these representatives conducted research and drew up a long-range policy agenda for the nation. I have read it and found it truly impressive. It leans neither to the right nor to the left, but based on the Buddhist philosophy asserts as its mission, the determination to follow the middle road, focusing on the welfare of ordinary citizens. I firmly believe that many Sokaka Gagai members will be able to support these policies with pride. Naturally, there will be some who disagree with and even oppose the plan.

20:53That is fine too. Political policy is a political matter, while faith is a religious matter. Therefore, if you meet someone in the organization who holds different political views than you, I hope that you will still warmly support that person as a fellow Gagai member. I also hope that those who do disagree with certain policies of the Komei political federation will speak directly to the federation representatives. Their wish is to create the best possible policies that will be accepted by all. Your feedback is sure to aid them in that endeavour. Our fellow members in the federation have stood up to improve our society and our nation, and to promote world peace. Their final platform will be decided at the federation's autumn convention. Let us support the group in becoming the best party there is. Lastly, I would like to confirm that the activities of the Komei political federation are strictly limited to Japan and no such activities will be conducted overseas. Shinichi again asked if the audience agreed with the four goals that he had articulated. Shouts of approval and applause rang through the hall, deciding the proposal once

21:56and for all. In closing, Shinichi remarked, amid harsh persecution, the dai shonen said, but still I am not discouraged and continue to press forward with firm resolve to advance Kosun Drufu. The Lotus Sutra also describes the unseizing labour of the Buddha to save all sentient beings saying, this the Buddha's work, I have never for a moment neglected. Let us too renew our determination and forge ahead in harmony and joy. The leaders present at the headquarters general meeting thus unanimously consented to the goals for the coming seven years, the first period of the essential phase. Fresh sales had been hoisted for departure into a new era. Thunders applause rang throughout the auditorium as if to signal their new beginning. In the days leading up to his announcement of the four goals, Shinichi Yamamoto had given the matter long and serious thought and conferred with the topsoker Gagagai leaders on numerous occasions. He was particularly concerned that the about the issue of the Kome political federation. The majority of federation officials

22:59wanted to form a political party and feel candidates for seats in the house of representatives. The reasoning was that though they had entered politics to monitor the government and restore power to the hands of the people, the larger aim was to realize a society in which the principles of Buddhism would be fused with secular law. In other words, they sought to bring happiness to the Japanese people by causing the Buddhist spirit of compassion to be reflected in government. Towards this end, it was vital that they gained seats in the lower house, which held predominant power in the government. Shinichi fully understood this line of thinking, but he couldn't agree to it immediately. This was because his mentor Jositate Toda had often said that there was no need to have a presence in the lower house. At the same time, however, Toda hadn't denied it as a future possibility. In fact, he had asserted that candidates should be fielded to the lower house when the proper time came, but that it was yet too soon to think about it. Shinichi had never forgotten this. What had Toda meant by the proper time? The first indicator would be the will of the people.

24:02Recently, both the conservative and reformist elements in the Japanese government had become focused only on narrow partisan interests and mistrust of the government was mounting. The people were calling out for a new political leader and party. Many members had a strong sense of responsibility to build a better society. Therefore, wanting to see greater efforts being made towards political reform, they were calling for Komei political federation candidates to be sent to the lower house. Shinichi Yamamoto heard members express this desire more and more over the past two or three years. Support was also growing for the federation in society at large, and there as well calls for this move were rising. For the more, the Sokogakai's membership had reached four million households, and its foundation was solid. In addition to its primary activities as a religious organization, it was now ready to engage in such social activities as election campaigns. Many candidates capable of being sent to the lower house had been fostered. Members of the Komei

25:04political federation were showing steady development through their accomplishments in local government and the House of Counselors. They had made strides in combating corruption and established a major policy of social welfare. Taking all these factors into consideration, Shinichi concluded that now was the time. But he felt sending candidates into the lower house in their capacity as members of the Komei political federation belonging to the Sokogakai's political department should be avoided. Of course, doing so was in no way a violation of the separation of church and state outlined in the Japanese constitution in light of the Japanese military government's manipulation of religion during World War II. This principle was meant to protect religion from governmental authority by establishing the government's neutrality. Still, because Shinichi had long seen religion and government as existing in two completely different realms, he wanted to distance the Sokogakai from the political arena. That was the reason the federation was originally established as a separate entity. If the Sokogakai were the Earth and the Komei political federation, the Minon Concert Association,

26:09the Institute of Oriental Studies and other such organizations founded by Shinichi were trees growing from the Earth. The Bountiful Earth provides nourishment for the trees, but how those trees flower and fruit is ultimately up to them. The Earth of religion isn't finitely vast. It embraces humanity and the entire world. Shinichi thought deeply about how to protect the Sokogakai from being limited by or becoming a tool of the narrow realm of politics with its many conflicting interests. That is why after serious deliberation, it was decided that the politics department of the Sokogakai would be dissolved. Even so, Shinichi was well aware that once the Komei political federation and candidates to the lower house, the Sokogakai, as its main supporting body, would become the target of fierce attacks from the established political parties. He also anticipated that various foreign governments would regard the Sokogakai as having a political agenda and become suspicious of its motives. What was the best way to manifest in the modern world, the spirit of Nishinthai

27:16Shonen, who wished to lead people to happiness and bring peace and stability to society? Shinichi Yamamoto pondered this question long and hard. He had to consider not only Japan, but each country in the world. It was an extremely complex issue with many hurdles and obstacles. Looking at the current situation in Japan, the need for government reform was impossible to ignore. The rivalries of the Cold War had been incorporated into Japanese politics and the policies of the main political parties were split into those that supported the interests of large corporations and those that supported organized labour. This meant that the majority of the populans, the non-union labourers and other ordinary citizens, were for the most part excluded from receiving any benefits from the government. From that standpoint, it was vital that government be restored to the hands of the people. But if the Sokogakai were to establish a political party and run candidates for the lower house, it would be in grave danger. It was highly possible that problems in the political arena could have negative repercussions within the organization.

28:22Shinichi never the less concluded that the only way to put the principles of the daishonens Buddhism into practice in society was to move in this direction. He thus decided to boldly take on the challenge of Koshundrufu, a great experiment in the history of humanity. Upon receiving a request from the Komei political federation, Sokogakai, a supporting body, recommended 15 candidates for the scheduled upper house elections next year and 30 candidates from the lower house elections. When the general meeting finished, Shinichi returned to Sokogakai headquarters. Several Komei political federation officials came to see him in his office, including Koichi Harayama, who was both head of the federation and general director of the Sokogakai. Harayama appealed to Shinichi. Sensei, thank you for all your efforts. Regarding the decision to dissolve the Sokogakai politics department, we would like to ask for Sokogakai's full support on various fronts for a little while longer. As we proposed in earlier meetings, we plan to register the Komei political federation as a political party and

29:24feel candidates in the lower house elections, but we feel that we still lack the ability to be completely independent. As of now, we have no choice but to rely entirely on the Sokogakai for candidates. In a sense, the federation is like a caterpillar still inside its cocoon. Until we become fully independent, developing into a butterfly that can take flight under its own power, we would like to ask for your support. In other words, we came here to request that you become the party's founder. Shinichi Yamamoto spoke softly. I understand you will have my total support until the parties formed, but my earnest wish is for the federation to become independent at the earliest time possible. The Sokogakai and the Komei political federation eternally share the same underlying philosophy and purpose. Both base their actions on compassion and respect for the dignity of life and endeavor to realize happiness for the people and world peace. The federation will therefore have the support and backing of both the Sokogakai and myself,

30:25but the Sokogakai is a religious organization. While the Komei political federation is a political organization, the aim of the federation is to establish a government founded on the ideals of compassion and respectful life, not to bring religion into government. Even so, there is a great deal of misunderstanding surrounding this issue in society. Many think that the Sokogakai founded the Komei political federation and is now trying to form a political party because it seeks power. I therefore want to make a clear distinction between the two as quickly as possible. Shinichi regarded the essential phase as a time in which the Sokogakai as a whole, as well as each individual member would contribute to society and cause the flower of a truly humanistic culture based on the teachings of Buddhism to bloom. This was the reason he had established such affiliated organizations as the Komei political federation, the Institute of Oriental Studies and the Min-On Concert Association. However, perhaps unavoidably,

31:27the public did not readily accept this fact. This was because, although a large number of religions at the time talked about peace and contribution to the society, the majority of them only did so as a way of self-promotion. Very few made any real efforts in these directions. As a result, many Min-On as just another means of increasing Sokogakai membership and regarded the Komei political federation as an attempt by the Gakai to obtain political power. The tendency of Japanese society to always look for ulterior motives and to be little noble ideals and deeds is a reflection of spiritual bankruptcy. The only way to correct such mistake in ideas is to achieve steady accomplishments in every aspect of daily life. The road is long and arduous, but the truth will absolutely win in the end. On the following day, May 4th, after having a discussion at an executive meeting, the Komei political federation officially decided to run for lower house elections and adopted Sokogakai recommended upper and lower house candidates

32:27as the first choice for its official candidates. At the young men's division leaders meeting, which had been held at Nihon University Auditorium on May 11th, Shinichi Yamamoto proposed that the Komei political federation be recognized as an official party and the formation of Komei top party. Soon afterwards, the Komei political federation started in full swing their preparations to launch the party. That brings us to the end of today's reading. I hope you have a wonderful day.