Shin'ichi Yamamoto visited the members in Yonago to address their doubts and loss of enthusiasm following the death of their chapter leader. He dispelled their doubts by explaining Buddhist principles about death and karma, and reassured them that those devoted to kosen-rufu will attain Buddhahood regardless of how their lives end. His passionate speech about continuing their faith-filled efforts touched the members' hearts and lifted their spirits. He encouraged them as the cornerstones of kosen-rufu's expansion and took a group photo to commemorate their new beginning.

1. NHR Vol 10 Bastionof the Pen Page 17
Shin’ichi was very concerned about Yonago. In July of the previous year, Shimane and
Tottori prefectures had been hit by torrential rains that killed 110 and injured more than
400, and Yonago had suffered serious damage.
Nevertheless, the members there had vowed together to set in motion a great wave
of propagation, determined that now was the time to transform the fate of their
community. Then in August, the following month, Yonago Chapter Leader Isamu
Ishizaki was killed in a traffic accident. He was only 42. People in the community began
to question the Soka Gakkai’s validity, asking why, if the teachings upheld by the
organization was correct and produced benefits, did its local leader die that way? More
than a few Soka Gakkai members began wondering the same thing. Distrust mounted,
causing many of them to be swayed by doubt and even to start criticizing the Gakkai
themselves.
Discussion meetings were gloomy and lacked enthusiasm. Everyone knew that
something had to be done, but unfortunately there was no leader equipped to offer clear
guidance on the subject of the chapter leader’s death. This was because they lacked
conviction in faith and a thorough understanding of Buddhist principles.
Throughout his writings, Nichiren Daishonin speaks of the three obstacles and
four devils, one of which is the hindrance of death. This devilish function serves to
arouse doubt and confusion through the death of practitioners of Buddhism. Everyone has
their own karma, but the ordinary person cannot see the depth of what that karma is.
Therefore, even should someone die young, if they carried through with diligent faith,
their death will represent the Buddhist principle of lessening karmic retribution.
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At any rate, it is certain that people of genuine faith who work to advance kosen-rufu will
absolutely attain enlightenment no matter how their lives come to an end.
An early Buddhist scripture tells the following story about a lay follower named
Mahanama. Mahanama asked the Buddha to explain where and what kind of life he
would be born into should he meet with a fatal accident at the moment when, distracted
by the hustle and bustle of the city, his thoughts become diverted from the three

2. treasures.1
The Buddha said: “For instance, Mahanama, if a tree bends to the east, slopes to
the east, tends to the east, which way will it fall when its root is cut?”
“It will fall whither it bends, slopes and tends, lord,” Mahanama replied.
The Buddha then went on to say that people who had faith in Buddhism and
practiced the teachings in earnest would be reborn into good circumstances due to the
flow of the Law in their lives, even if they were to meet an unexpected, accidental death.
Nichiren Daishonin also sent a letter to Nanjo Tokimitsu on the death of his
younger brother, writing: “Since he [Shichiro Goro] had profound faith in Shakyamuni
Buddha and the Lotus Sutra, his death was also magnificent” (Gosho Zenshu, p. 1568).
He is saying that those who exert themselves in faith are sure to attain Buddhahood.
But the Yonago members did not have such conviction. Conviction is the driving
force of kosen-rufu. Without it, we will cease to advance. Even four months after
Ishizaki’s death, efforts to introduce Buddhism to others in Yonago were stalled.
When Shin’ichi received reports of this from the leaders in charge of the Chugoku
Region, of which Tottori Prefecture was a part, he sent vice general directors Hiroshi
Izumida and Hisao Seki to the area. On January 17, the two of them held separate Gosho
lectures for the members in Tottori and Yonago cities, and on January 18 they were both
to attend a district leaders meeting at Yonago Community Center.
On the evening of the 17th, after flying from Kyushu to Osaka, Shin’ichi received
a call from Seki, who had led the Yonago lecture. “I tried to speak to the members about
the meaning of fellow members’ deaths from many different angles based on the
Daishonin’s teachings,” Seki said, “but the mood is still dark. I will do my best to clear
their doubts once and for all at the district leaders meeting tomorrow.”
Hearing this, Shin’ichi decided to go to Yonago in person, and he flew there from
Osaka the next day. His philosophy as a leader was to always go to the most troubled
places himself.
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Aboard the plane en route to Yonago, Shin’ichi chanted daimoku earnestly in his heart.
He was determined to do everything he could to dispel the clouds of doubt that were
shrouding the minds of his beloved fellow members in Yonago.
1
Three treasures: Three basic elements of Buddhism—the Buddha, the Law (Buddha’s teachings),
and the Order (community of believers).

3. From 1:00 in the afternoon, leaders from the four divisions on the district level and
up had gathered at the Yonago Community Center for a district leaders meeting led by
vice general directors Hisao Seki and Hiroshi Izumida.
At the start of the meeting, Seki stood up and enthusiastically announced: “I have
good news, everyone. I have just received word that President Yamamoto is on his way
to the Yonago Community Center, and he should be here in an hour.”
The room stirred with excitement, yet no one could quite believe what they had
heard. Then, at 2:10 P.M., Shin’ichi arrived.
The community center had just opened in December of the previous year, 1964,
and little more than a month had passed since then. It was common across Japan that,
whenever a community center was completed, the members in the surrounding area
would rejoice and propagation efforts there would increase dramatically. But though the
Yonago members were happy to have a new place to do activities, they were not
overjoyed. Their lingering emotions over the death of their leader were blocking the
feeling of pure joy they would have experienced under other circumstances.
To offer guidance is to remove such impediments in people’s hearts and replace
them with courage and hope. Shin’ichi was profoundly resolved to transform the inner
state of the Yonago members’ lives.
Fierce blizzards had been ripping through the area up to two days before the
meeting, and just 30 minutes before Shin’ichi’s arrival it had been raining. But by the
time he drove up to the Yonago Community Center, the sky had cleared and the sun was
shining brightly.
“Hello! Thank you for coming!” Shin’ichi called out in a cheerful voice. The
members responded with lively exclamations and applause.
“Let’s do gongyo together,” he said, “and pray for the prosperity, health, and long
life of your families.”
Gongyo began. As the sutra recitation and chanting of daimoku progressed, the
members’ voices grew stronger. Shin’ichi prayed with all his heart that his dear
comrades-in-faith of Yonago would not be defeated.
When gongyo finished, he spoke to a woman in the front row. It was Toshiko
Ishizaki, the wife of the late chapter leader Isamu Ishizaki: “Your husband was a true
pioneer who made great contributions to kosen-rufu in Yonago. I am deeply grieved by
his death. But as long as you remain steadfast in your faith in the Mystic Law, your
family will be protected without fail. You have nothing to worry about.”
* * *

4. Bastion of the Pen 11
Shin’ichi Yamamoto then addressed all the leaders in attendance: “I am very happy to be
here today and to spend some time with my spirited and valiant fellow members of
Yonago. Seeing you gives me confidence that our organization in Yonago is sound and
rock-solid. Am I right?”
“Yes!” everyone replied vigorously.
“Yonago now has its own community center, though it may be small in size. Soka
Gakkai community centers belong to the members, and I consider this center to be a gift
to you all. Please make free use of it, joyfully carrying out your Buddhist practice and
leading lives of great happiness.”
Shin’ichi then began to talk about the death of Isamu Ishizaki: “There may be
some members who are asking why, given that he practiced the Daishonin’s Buddhism,
Mr. Ishizaki was killed in an accident. The causes and effects inherent deep in our lives,
the workings of our karma, are strict indeed. That is why, even if we practice the
Daishonin’s Buddhism, the manner of our death will occur in any number of ways.
“There may be some who die giving their lives in the struggle to uphold
Buddhism, like Mr. Makiguchi who died in prison for his beliefs. There may be some
who die young as a result of illness or accidents. But when viewed through the eyes of
faith, we find profound significance in their deaths. Those who dedicate their lives to
working for kosen-rufu are Bodhisattvas of the Earth. They are followers of the Buddha.
Life is eternal and, in light of the teaching of the Mystic Law, such people will absolutely
attain Buddhahood.”
Shin’ichi’s voice rang powerfully throughout the room.
“Furthermore, it is also guaranteed that the families of those who are dedicated to
kosen-rufu to the very end will also be protected. I wish to declare that, as long as those
left behind continue to persevere in faith, the good fortune and benefit accumulated
through their loved ones’ dedication to kosen-rufu will pass on to them, and they will,
without fail, enjoy unsurpassed happiness.”
Faced with Shin’ichi’s tremendous conviction, the feelings of doubt that had been
clouding the members’ minds evaporated and the sun of hope began to rise in their hearts.
“Being without a spouse or partner doesn’t mean that we will never be happy.
Prosperity and wealth also do not guarantee happiness. True happiness, absolute
happiness, is only found when we awaken to the fact that our lives are the very entity of
the Mystic Law, carry out our human revolution, and manifest the great life-state of
Buddhahood through our Buddhist practice.
“We are born alone and we die alone. Only the Mystic Law has the power to

5. protect us across the three existences of past, present, and future.”
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Shin’ichi continued speaking, doing his utmost to touch the Yonago members’ lives: “If
you devote yourselves fully to kosen-rufu, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas throughout the
three existences and ten directions will protect you. Therefore, no matter what happens,
no matter what others may say or how they may attack you, you must never be swayed or
shaken. If you become cowardly and distance yourself from faith, you will only end up
miserable.
“Yonago is far from the Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Tokyo and top leaders can’t
travel here so often to offer you support. It may also be difficult for you to gain
understanding for our organization in your local community. Yet despite these challenges
and hardships, you have all exerted yourselves wholeheartedly. Though it may seem as if
your efforts go unnoticed, the Gohonzon is aware of everything. So is the Daishonin. All
of your struggles will turn into good fortune and wonderful benefit. If they didn’t, there
would be no point in practicing the Daishonin’s Buddhism.
“Life is eternal, but this present lifetime flashes by in an instant. I hope you will be
aware of your mission in this life, devote yourselves to kosen-rufu, and accumulate
abundant good fortune.
“If you should reach the end of your lives having done your very best and kosen-
rufu in Yonago and Tottori hasn’t yet been realized, then there are still your children and
grandchildren to carry on your work. Please raise them into wonderful successors of this
noble endeavor. Please become the cornerstones for the expansion of kosen-rufu into the
eternal future, and the source of our movement’s history.
“For my part, I will earnestly send you daimoku from Tokyo. Faith is a struggle
between devilish forces and the Buddha. For the happiness and welfare of everyone
living in Yonago, let us strive together with all our might and triumph over the devilish
forces!”
“Okay!” the members replied enthusiastically.
Wanting to encourage them further, Shin’ichi then said: “Today marks a new
departure for a reborn Yonago. To commemorate this significant occasion, let’s take a
photograph together in the courtyard. I will present each of you with a copy with today’s
date written on the back.
“I would also like to plant a tree in the courtyard as a symbol that I am always here
in spirit, struggling alongside you, my fellow Yonago members.”
Looking at Toshiko Ishizaki once again, Shin’ichi said: “Mrs. Ishizaki, I

6. understand that you have three children. Is that right?”
“Yes, a girl of 11, and two boys, 8 and 6 years old.”
“They are still young, so things may be difficult for a while, but you will definitely
become happy. Please continue to warmly embrace and support your children, always
bright and strong like the sun.”
* * *