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WHAT HAPPENED?
March 6, 1979: Genjiro Fukushima, then Soka Gakkai vice president, openly criticized the priesthood at the Omuta Community Center in Fukuoka Prefecture. In his speech, Fukushima said in part: "When President Ikeda
goes to the head temple, Gakkai members eagerly
greet him, calling him 'Sensei.' But they do not go near the high
priest. Nor do they yearn to see him. Even if the high priest walks by,
they simply wonder, who is that old man? So priests are jealous and
accuse us of treating the president as the true Buddha...."
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 Genjiro
Fukushima
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The priesthood was
outraged by Fukushima’s speech, which had effectively nullified the
Gakkai’s constant efforts to appease them. Relations with the
priesthood
had been strained
for years. There were several enemies of the Soka Gakkai who were
actively working to destroy the organization and damage its affiliation
with Nichiren Shoshu. This speech gave them the opportunity they
needed.
Fukushima later quit the Gakkai and became a vehement anti-Gakkai spokesperson, eventually lending support to Nikken. He passed away on August 9, 1998.
Fukushima later quit the Gakkai and became a vehement anti-Gakkai spokesperson, eventually lending support to Nikken. He passed away on August 9, 1998.
