Apology

Please accept my deep apology for our excesses in various matters which deeply disturbed Nichiren Shoshu. I also have to apologize for failing to completely fulfill my responsibility to end these turmoils as General Chief of All Lay Organizations¹ of Nichiren Shoshu.

Since its reconstruction the Soka Gakkai has been totally committed to propagation and other activities for kosen-rufu totally devoted to this cause that we did not even have enough time to look back or to think about anything else but kosen-rufu. As a result, we have been able to see definite growth, which is evidenced by today's remarkable rise of the Soka Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu. I am convinced that it was all thanks to the power of the Dai-Gohonzon and great virtue of [the] High Priest. It was also thanks to the support we received from the honorable priests of Nichiren Shoshu. I express my sincere appreciation to them all on this occasion.

In the process we met a number of great difficulties on each occasion Nichiren Shoshu spared nothing in protecting the Soka Gakkai. We will never ever forget these favors extended to us. We are also resolved only to further our dedication to Nichiren Shoshu.

Anyway, because of the changing times, we have encountered a number of trials. Steering a difficult course, we have came this far. Many things will await us from now on, too, because we all are merely common mortals who are fated to make mistakes.

I don't believe it would be proper for us to say much now at this meeting. Rather, I believe, we should first of all receive guidelines from the high priest and honestly convene with all the honorable priests of Nichiren Shoshu and people outside of our organization as well. In this way, I would like to blaze the correct, sure path toward kosen-rufu. Doing so is the way which we should take now, I believe. For this reason, I think we should for the time being aim at deepening our faith and straightening up problems within the organization rather than taking a gigantic step forward toward the superficial development of kosen-rufu. I hope guiding ourselves in this direction will be the first step forward toward perpetuating the foundation of the harmonious unity of priests and laymen.

Once again etching deep in my heart the prime point which former President Toda mentioned in 1951 by stating,

"I am determined to protect the head temple and shoulder the responsibility to cope with all difficulties on my own feet."

I am also resolved to further brace up my powers of faith and practice to accomplish the great wish of kosen-rufu.

I heartily pray for the good health of [the]High Priest...²

Feb. 5th 1979

Discussion

Buddhist Apology is known as "Zange". Any kind of apology really involves two parts. One is apologizing to those we have wronged, one is apologizing to the "Dharma" or "Sacred Reality", which is really our own lives, since when we wrong others we also are wronging our own reality and future. And the third one is determining to improve things and not repeat the mistake.

For more discussion see these pages:

STORMYAPRIL24.htm

Comments on the Apology

Resignation events

Timeline for the events before 1990

Footnotes

1. I believe that "General Chief of all Lay Organizations" refers to President Ikeda's position as "Sokoto" of the Nichiren Shoshu "Hokkeko" organization. Sometime after this President Ikeda was given the position of "Daikoto" or supreme honorable head of the lay organizations. He held this position until the "split" in 1991. The Gakkai was a leading member of the Hokkeko until 1991.
2. Nittatsu died on July 22 1979 and Nikken Shonin became the next High Priest. Nikken forced further apologies on the Gakkai and it's leaders, but took no further punishment action against the Gakkai until their rebellion in 1990.