THE SOKA GAKKAI
THE SEIKYO PRESS- TOKYO 1960
INTRODUCTION
Man seeks happiness and peace. This wish common to every race and society. However, all on the earth are leading restless daily lives, dogged and troubled by anxiety, despite the remarkable progress of science. Voices crying for peace are swelling like a flood-tide. The development of science not necessity brings about complete happiness. People have gradually come realize the necessity for religion, deploring the lag of the spiritual behind materialistic civilization.
Religion has no boundaries. It goes beyond race, people, and nation, uniting them with each other. There are numerous religions in the world, high and low, pure and impure, true and false. They are quite different. People are always seeking higher, deeper and superior religion. It is natural that man should be earnest, impartial and humble in searching for the religion which can bring happiness to mankind.
The religion of Nichiren Daishonin is the one which gives a far-reaching mercy to those who are longing for happiness. Just as the sun gives light to man, so does Nichiren Daishonin, for the Nichi of His name means “the sun”. Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is a way of life based on the Law of the Universe and also a philosophy of life (neither materialism nor spiritualism) in which body and mind are inseparable.
Although studies of Buddhism have recently been flourishing throughout the world, most are made solely for the sake of learning, not for application to our daily lives.
The Sokagakkai is vigorously practising the essence of the Daishonin’s Buddhism, striving for the salvation of numerous un-fortunate people. Recently, quite a few foreigners have been asking for further knowledge of the Society, and those seekers for this way of life are gradually increasing in number. The publication of this book is intended for these people.
I hope that the reader will gain a true understanding of Nichiren Daishonin’s philosophy, realizing that. His teaching is the direct way to a happy life, and that they may participate in bringing about peace to all mankind.
Before closing this introduction, I wish to express my deep gratitude to the Sixty-sixth High Priest of Nichiren Shoshu, Nittatsu Shonin for his Preface. Also I tender my acknowledgements to Mr. Kamio and other for their assistance in this publication.
DAISAKU IKEDA
Third President
Sokagakkai
CONTENTS
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
PART I: THE SOKAGAKKAI
Chapter 1: The Declaration of the Sokagakkai
Chapter 2: Organization and Activities
Chapter 3: Nichiren Shoshu and the Sokagakkai
Chapter 4: A History of the Sokagakkai
PART II: A HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
Chapter 1. Nichiren Shoshu, the true Buddhism
Chapter 2. Nichiren Daishonin, the True Buddha
Chapter 3. Nichiren Daishonin and Sakyamuni
Chapter 4. The Majesty of Nichiren Shoshu
PART III: THE TEACHING OF NICHENRIN DAISHONIN
Chapter 1. Rissho Ankoku
Chapter 2. The Gohonzon`s Great Power and Jobutsu
Chapter 3. The Griterion of Religion and Religions
Chapter 4. Materialism and Spiritualism
PART IV: SOME EXTRACTS FROM MR. TODA`S LECTURES
Chapter 1. The Esprit of the Sokagakkai and its Declaration
Chapter 2. The Eternity of Life
Chapter 3. Life after Death
Chapter 4. Modern Man and Inductive Reasoning
PART V: QUESTIONS AND ANSEWERS