WHAT HAPPENED?
After May 3, 1979
After his resignation, President Ikeda was discouraged from attending large meetings and giving guidance. His articles would no longer be published by the Seikyo Press. And he had resigned as paid Soka Gakkai staff. What could he do to encourage the members?
After his resignation, President Ikeda was discouraged from attending large meetings and giving guidance. His articles would no longer be published by the Seikyo Press. And he had resigned as paid Soka Gakkai staff. What could he do to encourage the members?
For a
few days, Daisaku Ikeda spent afternoons
walking in a park in Kanagawa. He chose this
location because he wanted to reflect on the Daishonin's struggles
there. Some Soka Gakkai
members noticed him one day, and word
soon spread about the appearance of the beloved leader who had so
suddenly
stepped down.
Members came to the park to greet him and to offer support; many of them were in tears. Over a few days, thousands of Soka Gakkai members came unbidden to reach out to Daisaku Ikeda during what must have been a chilling and confusing time. This support infused him with renewed determination to succeed, no matter what.
He began by
visiting pioneer members. Over a period of five and a half years, he
visited 500 members. Each visit was documented with a few
words in the Seikyo
Shimbun.
