NSA	NST	Soka Gakkai	Ikeda	Nichirenism	temple Issue	Index page
Mr Williams

Early years-- Masayasu Sadanaga

Mr. Williams had started practicing in Japan. I vaguely remember him giving experience as a youth member there. His ancestry seems to have been mixed Korean and Japanese. His father was from the age old Sadenaga clan (the same one that donated the property at Mt. Minobu and that Nikko first supported and then feuded with), but his mother seems to have been Korean. In any case, this later affected his relations with the Sokagakkai in Japan, and I remember one incident in I was told of the SokaGakkai Vice Presidents making fun of him for this. He had one foot in Japanese Culture but really was one of us at heart.

Mr Williams came to this country in 1957 as a young man, in order to study management science, and in retrospect to be a missionary of true Nichiren Buddhism. I read his Master Thesis, and he managed to write it on the Sokagakkai. He was already a member when he got here. He came here first as a student at UCLA in 1957 after he had already started chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. A story he recounted at a meeting to me, and that I've since heard corroborated from others, and a version in the "New Human Revolution" tells us that before he'd even started his father died. He was so miserable that he wanted to return to Japan to help his family. However, President Ikeda so encouraged him to fulfill his "mission" for "kosenrufu" that he stayed and soldiered on. To this day he won't say an unkind word about Ikeda or the Gakkai, no matter whether people slander him.

The first thing he had to do was to learn English, which he applied himself to doing while working as a Janitor and Dishwasher¹. Nearly as soon as he arrived he learned his father had died. Daniel B. Montgomery recounts (Quoting the Seikyo Times) that during this time that "he screamed Daimoku to the Gohonzon saying 'I've got to win!'" I remember him later using mottos like "Imua" (which means 'go for broke') and similar. He always had a fighting spirit. From low grades he went on to attend GWU and to graduate from the University of Md with his Masters in Political Science from the U of Md. He wrote his thesis on the Komeito Party and it's origins and impact. I read this thesis, it was well written but needed editing and was never polished. I wish I'd made a copy, it makes cogent reading even now.

Leader for Kosenrufu in America

As a young man he was active in Gakkai activities even when this was nearly impossible due to attending colleged and having to support himself by working as well. Some members used to tell me fond stories of him working at the People's drug store at Dupont Circle and commuting from there to another job washing dishes, and then attending school at the same time. At the same time he never stinted from heroic efforts to encourage and visit the other Washington Members.

He used to tell stories of being so poor that he only ate when he was at meetings or could get food at work at the restaurant he worked in. I know that while he finished his Masters he was working two jobs.

This must have been exhausting effort, but when he graduated from this effort he was able to move to Santa Monica California. Soon he was criss-crossing the country encouraging members everywhere and had organized a large organization and was on it's staff. Everything he did was with massive energy.

Mr. Williams and a number of dedicated members led this growth through a combination of personal effort, countless campaigns, and by recruiting others who were dedicated to "Kosenrufu" as much as he was. He was supported by such leaders as Ted Osaki, Kenji (later Kenneth) Sudo (No relationship to the Moonie leader by that same name), and others. These people included allies such as Mr. Kikamura, Mr. Fujioka, Mrs. Takakua, Mrs. Elliott, and Miss Inowashi, and deeply committed friends such as Ms. Snelling or Ms. Morgan in the Washington area.

See NSA page for more).

Mr. Williams used his own personal magnetism and creativity to recruit people. For instance, even the author of "Fire in the Lotus" (Daniel B. Montgomery) was impressed by his personality. He writes:

"Mr. Sadanaga/Williams is a very good 'communicator' indeed. The Princeton Notice commented that he 'has the ability to drop a pipe line to people listening and turn them right on to his level' (29 October 1969). His talks are flavored with humour and sparkle with vitality. He is at his best with small groups where his personal magnetism fills the room."²

This is how I remember him also.

It also included a cadre of young people who were recruited in the various cities and towns accross the country. From this "small" root grass roots core group centered around early converts, (mostly the wives of Gi's and their husbands and friends), the organization began to grow. By the mid seventies it was approximately the same size it is now, and on paper even bigger.

Sixties: Outreach efforts

Beginning in 1968, the Nichiren Shoshu Academy inaugurated academic outreach efforts ³ aimed at academics by inaugurating a series of highly successful seminars at major campuses across the country. Professor George M. Williams gave these lectures at the University of California, UCLA, Boston University, Memphis State, U.S. Air Force Academy, University of Nebraska, Pennsylvannia, Princeton, Cornell, Rice, Harvard, Maryland, Amhurst, York University of Toronto, and many more. By 1971 he had given 70 seminars in 40 college campuses (NSA Seminary Report,1968, 1971). He is quoted as follows:

"In an informal way, professor Williams explains the Philosophy of Happiness, relating Buddhist terms directly to the Student's own daily life. 'Hell is what you feel when you get all D's, and heaven is what you feel when you get all A's', he tells them. 'Heaven and hell are not waiting for you after you die, but are conditions of your life right now. So why don't you work hard to change your life of hell into heaven?'"⁴

Mr. Williams would then cheerfully explain how to do that by chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. Using these lectures, plus the efforts of people already converted, Mr. Williams was able to build up membership in this youthful religion. He had a way of passing on his own enthusiasm for the practice of Buddhism and the "vigorous activities" of NSA.

He also led efforts to do cultural outreach. Eventually building up a devoted array of musicians, actors, and other artists. It was an amazing accomplishment. By the beginning of the 70's, NSA was a thriving and youthful organization.

"Phase I" at the beginning of the Seventies

Until the mid seventies, the organization was involved in very aggressive efforts to propagate Nichiren Buddhism, and Mr. Williams was at the center of most of them. Leaders, such as Mr. Osaki, Mr. Sudo, and a long list of others, were appointed to lead these efforts, and Mr. Williams was constantly seeking to energize and inspire these people and those they were responsible for. There were long periods when "activities" for active members meant dailly meetings, long hours, and even standing on street corners seeking to invite people to meetings. This was known as "Street Shakubuku" and some in Japan tittered about it, but those engaged in it found it a faith affirming activity -- though not always very productive in numbers. I must attest that I'm one of the few still practicing members who was recruited in this manner. Most who stuck with the organization were recruited by friends or relatives -- or at least acquaintances. I was shakubukued on the street at the University of Maryland. Mr. Williams gave a talk soon after I joined that was one of the reasons I started practicing this Buddhism.

Culture Festivals and Tozans

Mr. Williams also initiated culture festivals, which eventually fell into a cycle that repeated approximately on a ten year cycle. These involved two very different activities (sometimes combined) "culture festivals" and "Tozans." Tozans were for the sake of visiting the head temple, and culture festivals were for the sake of affirming our practice and demonstrating to others (it turns out mostly our Japanese brethren) that we were enthusiastically behind the effort for world wide Kosenrufu.

Culture Festivals

The Culture Festivals involved great productions of theatrical brilliance, and so attracted professional artists and musicians. Something that is a pattern to this day as demonstrated by such personages as Herbie Hancock and Tina Turner. They were marvelous, grueling, and often reflected more of Japanese Culture than of American culture. The sometimes superhuman effort to produce culture festivals sometimes ran counter to the effort to "shakubuku" and encourage others to practice, and so the organization was always going up and down in numbers. Under Mr. Williams you got used to constant wrenching change. He seemed to revel in it. And truth be told, even amateurs usually gave professional performances at these affairs. I participated in a number of them, and don't regret one of them.

Tozans

The other faith affirming activity was the Tozan. Mr. Williams led Tozans throughout the time the Gakkai was linked to Nichiren Shoshu. These were meant to allow members to visit Japan, worship the "banner" object of faith -- the Dai-Gohonzon -- and receive benefit as a result. It was said that a member would get back the cost of Tozan in benefits, and so most of us members regarded going on Tozan with a kind of ferver akin to Moslems visiting mecca.

Sho Hondo Convention

The culminating activity of the Gakkai during this time was the "Sho Hondo" Convention in 1973. This was both a Tozan and a culture festival, and was quite an extravaganza. It led to later problems, but most of us didn't know that at the time. It was probably a personal high for Mr. Williams as well as for the rest of us.

Phase II

In the 1970's, the organization experienced some turbulence, largely due to three things. There were a number of reasons why the organization could not generate large numbers or sustain it's high level of effort indefinately. These were:

1. The unstable dynamic of "phase one." Members were practicing almost nightly. Some of the leaders, such as Ted Osaki, gave people one night a week "off," but otherwise members were encouraged to participate in nightly "street Shakubuku efforts" meetings, activities, and other behavior all aimed at creating "Kosenrufu of America". What was inspiring about these leaders was that they put out even more effort than they expected others to contribute. There was very little jawboning for contributions and one felt free to contribute as much as one could. This is probably the best way to guarantee maximum participation. Unfortunately there were enough of these kinds of activities made the organization look cultlike and "burned" out recruits. Campagins were sometimes around the clock and one sometimes felt like a door to door salesperson in doing "Street Shakubuku."
2. In the Mid 1970's, President Ikeda gave guidance that that meetings should end at 8:30, and eventually that street Shakubuku should be eschewed in favor of more subtle efforts such as "freinds making campaigns." The result of this effort, dubbed "phase II" was that suddenly members began thinking for themselves and many people began living ordinary lives again. Some of them also began realizing that the organization didn't really reflect their wishes. Some felt betrayed when they realized that they had given up careers, lives, schooling, for almost no results. This led to some localized revolts, expecially as events from Japan began affecting the organization. President Ikeda's guidances were well meaning, but he really didn't understand this country and sometimes what was happening here was aggravated by his well meaning efforts to do something about problems in this country.
3. Mr. William's character of great enthusiasm and sometimes seeming impatience, also had an affect on things. The organization went from one campaign to another, often destroying the results of a shakubuku campaign by completely forgetting about recruits while the organization prepared for a big convention or other event. Mr. Williams seemed to be perpetually trying to please President Ikeda while putting out superhuman efforts towards Kosenrufu. Each Campaign portrayed in triumphalist fashion as a great victory. If Mr. Williams could have created World Peace by himself he would have. As it was he made massive efforts towards creating a world wide organization and was honored by Ikeda with an "honorary" Vice Presidency.

The main cause of our difficulties however was that the central organization in Japan was always looking on. Either goading people like Mr. Williams to inhuman efforts, or subtly sabotaging independent efforts or anything that didn't meet with Japanese sensibilities. In Japan whenever the Sokagakkai made a bid for real power, members here were supposed to support it. For example in the 60's, Members in the USA held Daimoku Tosos in Los Angelos to support an election campaign. And when Ikeda sneezed, we got out the hankerchief. When the SGI began to build a Temple building to be named the "Sho Hondo" which was to symbolize "world wide Kosenrufu" with the people as sovereign, we naturally supported it. Members around the world went to extraordinary efforts to raise an extraordinary (for the time) amount of money. Mr. Williams was on hand for the completion ceremony. It was the high point for NSA.

In the seventies a number of "students" showed up in the USA, who were studying here, and some of them were also paid by the Gakkai as "leaders." I knew some of them personally. All of them were being groomed to eventually take over and "lead the way for Kosenrufu." Everyone of them later became a senior leader and reached a high position in the organization.

Troubles in Japan affect the US Org

However all these grandiose efforts were sabotaged from within by factionalism in Japan, indecision in our own country, and interference from Japan, in the 70's.

The more nationalist and literalminded wing of Nichiren Shoshu centered around a group called the "Myoshinko" (now around as abreak off group called the Kenshokai) didn't like the idea of an "ordination platform" without the sanction of the Emperor. They actually threatened to attack the people who were planning to move the Dai-Gohonzon to the Sho-Hondo. Mr. Williams made sure that American's were in the "protection group" guarding the transfer. These efforts were defeated, and in the end the Myoshinko found themselves excommunicated. However, that only was the beginnings of trouble as they never gave up their efforts to get even with the Gakkai. Some would blame them for it's eventual excommunication.

The other problem the Gakkai had was it's charismatic leader and synchophantic people around him. Some priests (and others) didn't like the effort to portray Ikeda as a hero bordering on "Buddha" (and for some over that border), and there were people among both the priests and Sokagakkai who were all too willing to play politics with these things. The result was a number of internal scandals, with the Gakkai backing High Priest Nikken in his efforts to assert his authority as the inheritor of the Kechimyaku of the Law. The result was that the Shoshinkai affair and the related resignation of President Ikeda from his position as Third President of the Sokagakkai also led to turbulence in this country as people questioned the wisdom of Ikeda's leadership. These things couldn't but affect the members in this country.

The Rise and Demise of phase II

President Ikeda was constantly talking about common sense, balanced practice, and a more democratic organization. Some members took him seriously. Around 1975 something called "phase II" was instituted. The idea was a kinder gentler NSA that would be more attractive to converts and also be able to hold on to members with less "burnout" of members. Members couldn't always maintain the 6 day (or even 7 day) a week pace of "activities" and would often quit after a while. Phase II was supposed to remedy that. Unfortunately people took those words of Ikeda literally, in much the same way that the Communist Youth of the "Cultural Revolution" China took Mao too literally. They started clamoring for transparancy in finances and a real say in the organizations direction and efforts. All over SGI members suddenly started partying, starting businesses, or trying to lead ordinary lives. This led to a situation in which meetings became non-existent, converts disapeared, and the organization nearly vanished as well. People weren't prepared for the freedom! This led to an end to phase II. The "Youth division" was disbanded due to efforts to assert independence and "stand alone spirit." And a number of members were quietly removed from positions or told to mind their mouths or be kicked out. The movement was suppressed under the term "phase III." And at the same time a "friends making campaign" and a kindler gentler NSA was instituted under central direction.

Fallout from Ikeda's Resignation

In the meantime events in Japan were causing additional problems. Ikeda was forced to resign in 1978, and the Gakkai was told to re-educate it's members in Nichiren Shoshu Doctrine, the teachings of Nichiren and the principle of "follow the law" not person. For most members this actually was a benefit and proof that the organization was indeed what it said it was. It turns out for others this was an expedient situation in which they had to lay low for the sake of their Master. To his credit Mr. Williams was both loyal to Ikeda and loyal to "Law." Even so, after forcing Ikeda's resignation, Nittatsu Shonin, the HP of the time, died, and Nikken Shonin took his place claiming a death bed transfer of authority. Very soon after that the anti-Ikeda forces became anti-Nikken forces as well, and Sokagakkai was suddenly back in good graces with Nikken, and while the re-education efforts continued. Ikeda was allowed to be our "mentor" in chief once again. For many of us Mr. Williams was more of a direct mentor. He was more accessable and spoke English and seemed to understand our problems.

Mr. Williams put forth fantastic efforts to hold the country together as it seemed to be falling apart. Some members also helped a lot, others joined the various other groups. In New York, a Young Priest, Reverend Tono led a breakaway group that was eventually excommunicated by High Priest Nikken, the Shoshinkai. Their principalled defiance of both the Gakkai and NST was seen as "ha-wagoso" by Japanese members and by those of us heavilly indoctrinated with Japanese attitudes. The organization wasn't ready yet for a "loyal opposition." In other areas members simply vanished for a while, left completely, or took up where they left off where they joined. The organization shrank, but it didn't disapear. There was simply too much power at the district and chapter level and within the Zadankai system. Members continued to practice because true Buddhism benefited their lives, no matter what was going on around them. The 70's seemed a disaster, but it really wasn't. By the end of the 70's it was clear that no one was going to cooperate with efforts either to go back to the frenetic pace before and many of us were going to stick with the basic practice no matter what happened.

The Eighties

Mr. Williams continued to travel the country along with his leutenants, giving guidances and encouragement as he went. He gave speeches and championed causes like the "liberty bell" campaign in the 80's. In retrospect he seems to have been trying to send a message that his loyalty to his mentor and Japanese Custom didn't allow him to state directly.

Around the time of the turmoils(the late 70's) additional "students" began coming to the country who were given minor jobs as PR advance men or as functionaries at local community Centers or Culture Centers. These people included Fred Zaitsu, Danny Nagashima, Ted Morino, Eugene Hirohara and others who were to later take over from Mr. Williams when the time came in the early 90's. SGI-USA was officially independent, but there was no question as to who was really in charge. In the 80's these newcomers became increasingly visible in the organization.

Late in the 80's, "Regicho" was still loved, but most people who actually ran into him were no longer so impressed with him. He had delegated much of his efforts to others, and seemed to be riding first class on the work of others. As one member said years later, he seems to have "believed his own myth." That was part of his undoing.

Sacking

The Gakkai membership (then known as NSA for Nichiren Shoshu Academy or Nichiren Shoshu Sokagakkai Academy) wasn't much different in 1989 than it had been in 1979, except that many of the members were older and there were fewer true youth. The turnover was overwelming. The organization had some people with authoritarian attitudes and wasn't very flexible. This was all blamed on Mr. Williams, though the structure had been imported from and dictated to by Japan. In 1989/1990 he was very publicly criticized and humiliated by President Ikeda. Then he was kept in a kind of suspended state for two years until he was publicly replaced in a "Town Hall meeting" in 1992. The person who delivered the invite to that meeting remembers that he felt so humiliated that all he could do was to apologize over and over again while recounting his accomplishments. He apologized for the "military" format of the organization. He recounted that he had opened 57 community centers. He had done his best. He really should not have been publicly shamed.

He was replaced by Fred Zaitsu. This was televised and public, but I didn't know anything about it for several years. His name was simply gradually erased and replaced with others. His leading backers were also gradually eased out. The Japanese don't "Fire People" and turn them on the street the way American's do. They give them a "Window Watcher" office and humiliate them instead. They also don't rehabilitate people or appreciate them for their accomplishments. This is an American Organization, he deserves better treatment than that. Maybe even if it were a Japanese Organization he would deserve better treatment. And I thought Hollywood was bad!

Loyalty

The final sack of Mr. Williams came just before the split with NST, and even during it. Mr. Williams could have taken a lot of us American Members with him and left the Gakkai to found a uniquely American Organization. But to do that he would have had to be disloyal to his Mentor Ikeda. And he never did that.

There is a lot we can learn from these events. And there is a lot of warnings in the history of NSA, for the organization when one is fair towards Mr. Williams the man and doesn't make the mistake of demonizing him for his faults. It is the pyramidal organization structure and lack of either accountability or genuine input from below that prevented him from being aware of the mistakes he was making or able to prevent them. And he did a lot of things that show his sincerity. For one thing, he could have taken the SGI-USA into the Nichiren Shoshu camp and kept his position, and he didn't. Mr. Asomani was also deposed around that time, and he took his entire organization except for a skeletal bunch over to the Hokkeko. Of course the circumstances of the two men were completely different, and Mr. Asomani didn't expect to be treated with disrespect and he and those who backed him, felt he'd been discriminated against on account of being non-Japanese. Indeed they rebelled for about a year before the NST decided to back them. I'm just talking about what he could have done. Mr. Williams on the other hand is still loyal to his mentor and to Kosenrufu. He is still loyal to President Ikeda and has travelled the nation seeking to "bring back" American Hokkeko believers to this day. That despite the awful way PI treated him. He is a "true disciple."

A true Disciple

Between his public humiliation around 1990 and his formal replacement in 1992, Mr. Williams was still nominally in charge. During that time the "war" between the Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu. Mr Williams could have taken the organization into the Nichiren Shoshu Camp or refused to stay with the Gakkai. He didn't have to accept being humiliated and sacked. Had he done so he would have split the organization more than it was anyway, but he would have benefited personally. The chief priest for Overseas affairs offered him shelter in Nichiren Shoshu if he would do so. Instead he travels the country on behalf of the Sokagakkai visiting former Gakkai members who are with the Temple. He also continues to be involved in helping members when they need it. Recently when a member's son was hurt, it was Mr. Williams who took the time to call that member and encourage him. He didn't "have to do it." There was no formal chain of command involved, and this member is not with the Temple. The fact that he has chosen to continue to struggle for unity and Kosenrufu instead is something about him that is admirable. His sense of honor will not allow him to be a "Devadatta" to his own organization. He is a "true disciple" of Ikeda no matter what. The Japanese Ideal is that you follow your "mentor" no matter how he might treat you. Mr. Williams used to play the theme song from Man of La Mancha at meetings. The words of that song include the following:

To Dream the Impossible Dream

To fight the unfightable foe

To Right the unrightable wrong...

...And I know, if I only be true, to my glorious quest

That my heart, will lie peaceful and calm,

when I'm laid to my rest.

And The world will be better for this

That one man, scorned and covered with scars

Still strove with his last ounce of courage

To reach the unreachable star

If anyone deserves to lie peaceful and calm when his time comes. It's Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams I salute you!

Postscript

As of this writing (February 2007) Mr. Williams is still "personae non grata" in the organization. Which is an undeserved fate. Norm McCormack reports:

From: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SokaGakkaiUnofficial/message/74075

Brief report:

"My lovely lady, Michiko and I visited Mr. and Mrs. Williams twice in the last three years. The second time, my fourteen year old son Johnny, was with us. Both visits were at their place in Orange County California, albeit in different cities as the Williams had moved from one nice Condo to another. I had not seen them in 10 or 12 years, and Michiko and Johnny had not met either of them. To say we were warmly welcomed would be an understatement, as both Mr. and Mrs. Williams welcomed us like long lost friends."

"I have some photos and will attempt to post them here, if that is allowed!"[See SGIgroup]

"Mrs. Williams had suffered a serious stroke six months prior to our first visit. The Doctors had told her she would never walk again. By this visit, she had already participated with her Japanese Dance troup and was getting around quite well. (Some will recall she was quite a Japanese Dancer who preformed at many of our NSA functions in the old days.)"

"The[ir] daughter Monica, (named after Santa Monica District) was helping them with various functions, but we did not see her."

"When Mr. Williams found out we were living in Indianapolis, Indiana, he asked if we knew a "Mrs. Couch?" We both reported that we knew her well. He said that when he first came to America (I want to say late fifties, but not really sure) and was attending college in Washington, DC, that Mrs. Couch was the "Very first" Women's Division member to start attending Gakkai meetings in the United States."

"I was extremely excited and could not wait to return to Nap-town to report what he had told us. Shortly after our return, I reported to a small group, including Mrs. Couch, what Mr. Williams had said. I asked if I could give a brief report/experience at Kosen Rufu gongyo and tell everyone that Mrs. Couch was the first Women's division in the USA."

"That night, I got a phone call, asking me to "Never bring up Mr. Williams name again." I started laughing and was actually a bit encouraged to find out that there was some one who was thought of as more evil than I, by the Japanese Women's Division around here."

Norm is thought of as evil, because he, folks like me, and others, think that the SGI would be a better organization if it were more democratic, less hierarchical, and paid more attention to members like Norm McCormack.

"Mr. Williams and I talked about many events from the old days. He was very positive and upbeat. He talked highly about the organization and Mr. Ikeda. He never said an unkind word about either. I mentioned some photos I had, and would send to him. Later I sent him a photo of President Ikeda, Mr. Williams, and I, taken in August of 1969. It was taken at the Dai Kodo (lodging quarters of Nichiren Shoshu Head Temple at Taisekigi) and printed in the World Tribune."

"I also sent him a copy of our 1999 Beverly Hills Reunion photo taken at Gary and Judith Curtis house in West LA. That photo had over 110 members in it, with the names listed on the back. When I talked to Mr. Williams later on the phone, he was extremely appreciative to receive them, and said he knew most of the members listed there."

Next Norm Shares his thoughts:

My thoughts:

I did not agree with everything that Mr.. Williams did in the old days! In particular, I did not think we should start up again with the "AAO's", and return to the appointment system, in November of 1982. But can anyone tell me, of another person who did as much, or more to build the Organization in the United States than Mr. Williams? To now pretend that he "did not exist" is one of the lowest moves I have ever seen. No one, did as much as he did!

Had Mr. Williams been willing to break with the ra-ra elements of Sokagakkai and start pushing what really is important to Kosenrufu, maybe he wouldn't have been so easily shoved aside by the ambitious "I know the heart of my Mentor" folks who succeeded him.

There is a saying "he who refuses to learn from history..."

"It reminds me of what my old buddy Troy, used to say, 'The Gakkai does not bury their own dead!'"

A sad observation

"As far as I am concerned, Mr. Williams has my respect, and I will always appreciate what he did for Kosen Rufu, here in the land of the free!"

Fred Zaitsu lasted until 1999 and was replaced by Danny Nagashima. Danny acts sometimes like Mr. Williams used to act. But he doesn't seem to get the connection between his own behavior and the mistakes made by his predecessor. Mr. Williams seems to be like one of the leaders from "1984" or from the old Communist Countries. And like those leaders he was on top one day and then mysteriously began to disappear not just from the leadership but from the official histories themselves. The truth is "it's the system dammit".

And Buddhist ideas will spread whether the Gakkai prospers or continues to repeatedly fall on its own tuckus. We can learn about the 3000 worlds and the power of chanting by learning from what they do right -- and we can learn about the 3000 worlds and the power of chanting by observing what they do to great people like Mr. Williams -- for being human.

Back to Index | For more on NSA | For more on Sokagakkai | For a discussion of the "war" that ensued with Nichiren Shoshu following Mr. Williams departure.

I send prayers to Mr. Williams. And I send the Gakkai your prayers too. If Kosenrufu is ever to happen people have got to stop creating false myths and see the real heros for what they are: Human beings -- As Mr. Williams truly was.⁵

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

Footnotes

1. Fire in the Lotus, by Daniel B. Montgomery, page 211. I also have recollections of hearing him tell this story.
2. Ibid page 211, and same.
3. Ibid page 207, and same.
4. Ibid page 207-208, and I remember similar lectures, though I never attended any of these.
5. A number of long time members held a private discussion on him at the zadankai list where I learned he still has his "window watcher" seat in Santa Monica and is doing just fine.
6. Most recent report came from Norm McCormack and was posted at the "SokaGakkaiUnofficial" by him.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws