About Study #12

Mr. Toda was also strict about the attitude we should have when studying Nichiren Daishonin's writings. He said: "As you read each line, you should try to absorb it deeply, so that you can say: 'How true! It is just as the Daishonin states!' Based on that approach, when you come across a passage you do not understand you should work humbly and sincerely to interpret and comprehend its meaning. You must never read the Daishonin's writings lightly, just skimming over the surface and pretending to understand what is written there without pondering and striving to grasp its deeper meaning." Mr. Toda drummed into us that forging ourselves through the strict training afforded by our Buddhist practice and study, reminiscent of the relentless training of a master swordsman, is the honored tradition of the Soka Gakkai.

World Tribune, November10, 2000, pg. 9

During that meeting, Shin'ichi talked about the study department examination scheduled for early March:

"With the exam not far off, I'm sure you are hard at work mentally and physically. What I'd like to stress today is that those who pass the exams should not act superior, and those who do not pass should not lose confidence or look down on themselves.

"Soka Gakkai study exams are held as a form of encouragement and as a way for us to mark our progress in our lifelong study of Nichiren Daishonin's great philosophy. So, even if you should pass the exam, if you let it go to your head and begin to look down on others, you will have failed as people of faith. On the other hand if you do not pass, you can use that as a spur to challenge yourselves more earnestly in Buddhist study and thereby ultimately win a passing grade as people of faith, something far more important than simply passing the exam.

"In addition, I hope you will engrave the Gosho deeply in your hearts and develop faith that is truly firm and strong so that you will remain undaunted by any obstacle that might assail you."

The New Human Revolution, Vol. 4, P. 30

Shin'ichi began by determining to win the victory and then traced the process backwards to decide on the first step to be taken in the campaign. In order to achieve the goal, it was essential to at least double the present membership. If this was realized, victory waited at the end of the road, no matter how severe it might be along the way. Very well, Shin'ichi thought. In order to double the current strength, the members would have to be participating joyfully in their movement to spread Buddhism. This, in turn, demanded that they be sufficiently inspired and encouraged to increase their power of faith and strengthen their prayers to the Gohonzon. They had been practicing for but a short time. They must first of all be deeply convinced of how truly great and valid Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism was. They must realize the righteousness of his teaching through documentary, theoretical and actual proof so that a whirlpool of joy - the joy of faith - would emerge.

As luck would have it, Shin'ichi was the lecturer in charge of the candidates for the Study Department. First of all, he decided, he would encourage the members in Kansai he liked so well through the study of Buddhism. The faces of his dear friends in that area appeared one after another to his mind's eye - faces bright with fresh determination. Beginning that autumn every word and phrase he spoke in his lectures was filled with an almost extraordinary enthusiasm.

Seikyo Times, December 1977, Pg. 16

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